Senate Again Refuses to Consider Immigration Reform
Posted Jul 06, 2007
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The U.S. Senate crushed the attempt to pass a bill on Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) late on Thursday evening, June 28, 2007. Senators from both parties were able to crush an attempt to introduce a consensus bill to deal with CIR. This is the second time that efforts to pass a bill on CIR have been quashed, leaving millions in limbo again.
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Primary Viewpoints of Immigration Debate
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The debate on this issue deals primarily with two very strong opposing viewpoints.
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There are those who believe that any person who entered the U.S. illegally, or stayed beyond the authorized time, should not ever be given any opportunity to "right the wrong." That if we do anything - even give any such person the ability to obtain a work status or permanent residency after 10 or 15 years - it somehow betrays the individuals and employer that worked within the legal immigration system. Opponents also find the concept of rewarding people who have violated our laws to be generally repugnant. We will note that most of the proposals put those who entered illegally at the bottom of the list, or on a separate and longer type of track, behind those who entered legally and complied with the immigration laws. 
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Others believe that we are a nation of immigrants and we must embrace our heritage as the source of our strength. That we must give everyone a chance to share in the American dream, if they wish to work hard and, through their efforts, help to make this a stronger and better nation, without the expectation of any hand outs. Most of these ten or twelve million laborers perform jobs for which willing, able American workers cannot be found; like picking fruits and vegetables, landscaping, construction work, also cleaning hotel rooms, taking care of children, and other such services.
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Some of those coming to the U.S. have little choice but to remain here if they want the chance at a better life for themselves and their families. Many are unlikely to depart voluntarily, whether or not any beneficial legislation is passed, since they and their families face certain poverty without opportunity for anything better in their native lands.
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Conclusion
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This ideological divide baffles many who see that America proudly displays the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of this great nation and of her ideals. The words under the Statute of Liberty, "Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses... ," ring hollow when the U.S. Congress is not able to pass legislation to provide any relief to immigrants, either legal or illegal, many of whom provide services and labor that benefit us all. While many of the people who entered illegally may have few options elsewhere, that is not true of many of the well-educated, highly-skilled individuals who are in the U.S. legally. If we continue to make them feel unwelcome, they and their employers may just look for more welcoming nations.