Saturday, May 19, 2007
SWOP homepageEnlace Responds to Hateful Letters
Right On Claudia!
Immigrants an Asset to Economy
THE JOURNAL published six letters to the editor May 15 regarding immigration — all of them demonstrating extreme ignorance and lack of understanding of American history, society and economics. There was not a single letter that portrayed immigrants positively or recognized their contributions to our society.
Collectively these letters represent a xenophobic view of immigrants. Even though every wave of immigration has fallen victim to harassment, social isolation and anti-immigrant legislation, the situation is even worse for non-European immigrants who represent by far the largest share of the contemporary immigrant community.
Although pro-immigrant positions were not represented in the barrage of letters from the other day, most Americans realize that we are a country in which very few can claim historical nativity. Our country would not be what it is today without the contribution of immigrants (i.e. our ancestors) — people fleeing economic injustice and political persecution.
More than 19 years of working and living in Albuquerque side by side with other members of the immigrant community has led me to believe that immigrants not only contribute to Albuquerque’s economy, immigrants drive this economy.
The growth sectors of Albuquerque’s economy — service, retail, construction — are indeed the sectors in which immigrants most often work. Domestic household workers, overwhelmingly immigrant, support middle and upper income professionals so that they can fully participate economically. Immigrant farm labor throughout the country keeps food prices low, freeing up disposal income for Albuquerque families to spend locally.
Beyond labor, immigrants provide capital as demonstrated by the many immigrantowned businesses in our community. With their income, immigrants purchase homes, cars, groceries, and other necessities of life, further fueling our economy. Yes, immigrants pay taxes — on their income, purchases and property — and yet are often denied services available to non-immigrants.
The goal for most immigrants is to support their families. Immigrants work hard. They define the American work ethic. Immigrants sometimes compete for jobs with local workers, but more often fill jobs that locals simply do not want.
Congress should understand that immigrants are not our enemy but actually an asset and pass an immigration bill that is comprehensive and recognizes the contributions of immigrants. It should pass legislation based on enlightenment and historical understanding, not ignorance and animosity.
CLAUDIA MEDINA
Executive Director
Enlace Comunitario
Albuquerque
Immigrants an Asset to Economy
THE JOURNAL published six letters to the editor May 15 regarding immigration — all of them demonstrating extreme ignorance and lack of understanding of American history, society and economics. There was not a single letter that portrayed immigrants positively or recognized their contributions to our society.
Collectively these letters represent a xenophobic view of immigrants. Even though every wave of immigration has fallen victim to harassment, social isolation and anti-immigrant legislation, the situation is even worse for non-European immigrants who represent by far the largest share of the contemporary immigrant community.
Although pro-immigrant positions were not represented in the barrage of letters from the other day, most Americans realize that we are a country in which very few can claim historical nativity. Our country would not be what it is today without the contribution of immigrants (i.e. our ancestors) — people fleeing economic injustice and political persecution.
More than 19 years of working and living in Albuquerque side by side with other members of the immigrant community has led me to believe that immigrants not only contribute to Albuquerque’s economy, immigrants drive this economy.
The growth sectors of Albuquerque’s economy — service, retail, construction — are indeed the sectors in which immigrants most often work. Domestic household workers, overwhelmingly immigrant, support middle and upper income professionals so that they can fully participate economically. Immigrant farm labor throughout the country keeps food prices low, freeing up disposal income for Albuquerque families to spend locally.
Beyond labor, immigrants provide capital as demonstrated by the many immigrantowned businesses in our community. With their income, immigrants purchase homes, cars, groceries, and other necessities of life, further fueling our economy. Yes, immigrants pay taxes — on their income, purchases and property — and yet are often denied services available to non-immigrants.
The goal for most immigrants is to support their families. Immigrants work hard. They define the American work ethic. Immigrants sometimes compete for jobs with local workers, but more often fill jobs that locals simply do not want.
Congress should understand that immigrants are not our enemy but actually an asset and pass an immigration bill that is comprehensive and recognizes the contributions of immigrants. It should pass legislation based on enlightenment and historical understanding, not ignorance and animosity.
CLAUDIA MEDINA
Executive Director
Enlace Comunitario
Albuquerque
Labels: Immigration, immigration reform
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It may not be better than nothing, as you say. But it's definitely what has been asked for - "comprehensive immigration reform."
Again, my number one media rule: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
By taking the lead from national NGO's, our friends at Somos and Enlace are in a tough spot. I've been talking about this since last May. We have to ask for what we want, not some vague thing like "comprehensive immigration reform." Because that's what we got - Punitive policy that rides on a bill that the right is going to portray as "amnesty."
In a year we've went from a spot where the sensenbrenner bill was going through and polls showed most agreed that building a wall and criminalizing immigrants and their supporters - including La Virgen for answering immigrants' prayers - to a bill that's meant to distract and divide movements that are fighting for immigrant rights. Why? Because everyone now says give 'em a chance at that illusive American Dream. (This is what the polls say - Go to http://youthmediacouncil.org/blogs/posts/view/31 to see a blog I wrote about polling on may 1.)
We won the public debate, but didn't ask for what we really want.
Also, as a movment, we're really divided on this one. I know it seems crazy, but progressives (white ones in particular) are talking about how immigrants lower wages for "Americans."
A bright spot is that the right is going to come out hard as racists. They may not say it directly, but there's going to be a lot of code words like 'demographic change' and others that mean they don't want those brown, poor people coming to 'their' country and ruining their 'way of life.'
This is in part what has changed this debate. The right has misguaged the public's taste for intolerance. And will continue to do so - check out buchanon's column that came out today. he goes on this racist tangent.
What do we have to do?
Know what we want and ask for it. Because we're winning!
k
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Again, my number one media rule: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
By taking the lead from national NGO's, our friends at Somos and Enlace are in a tough spot. I've been talking about this since last May. We have to ask for what we want, not some vague thing like "comprehensive immigration reform." Because that's what we got - Punitive policy that rides on a bill that the right is going to portray as "amnesty."
In a year we've went from a spot where the sensenbrenner bill was going through and polls showed most agreed that building a wall and criminalizing immigrants and their supporters - including La Virgen for answering immigrants' prayers - to a bill that's meant to distract and divide movements that are fighting for immigrant rights. Why? Because everyone now says give 'em a chance at that illusive American Dream. (This is what the polls say - Go to http://youthmediacouncil.org/blogs/posts/view/31 to see a blog I wrote about polling on may 1.)
We won the public debate, but didn't ask for what we really want.
Also, as a movment, we're really divided on this one. I know it seems crazy, but progressives (white ones in particular) are talking about how immigrants lower wages for "Americans."
A bright spot is that the right is going to come out hard as racists. They may not say it directly, but there's going to be a lot of code words like 'demographic change' and others that mean they don't want those brown, poor people coming to 'their' country and ruining their 'way of life.'
This is in part what has changed this debate. The right has misguaged the public's taste for intolerance. And will continue to do so - check out buchanon's column that came out today. he goes on this racist tangent.
What do we have to do?
Know what we want and ask for it. Because we're winning!
k
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