Joe Baca Speaks Courageously On Immigration
One of the most disappointing aspects of the 2008 presidential election was the way that the issue of immigration was artificially inflated. Pundits, politicians and behind-the-scenes consultants arranged for the issue of immigration to be described as if it were one of the most important policy matters of our time. Things got so bad that, in November of 2007, CNN hosted a presidential debate in which the entire first half hour was devoted to nothing but questions about immigration.
In reality, the spectre of illegal immigration was just a last ditch attempt by the Republicans to keep Americans afraid of outsiders. The idea was that when people worry about security, they vote Republican, so the myth of the immigration crisis was created.
Given this recent paranoid cultural context, I was heartened to see U.S. Representative Joe Baca rise to the floor of the House of Representatives last week, and talk about a genuine problem with immigration – that the persecution of undocumented immigrants destroys their families and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.
Baca said,
“I rise to speak on behalf of the 14 million undocumented immigrants who would otherwise not have a voice. Immigrants are not only a valuable part of our country’s workforce, but they also add to America’s rich diversity. Sadly, immigration raids tear apart immigrant families, instill fear, and disrespects America’s core family values.
We are a Nation devoted to family. No one should live in fear of being taken away from their homes. Strong border enforcement is necessary, but this only addresses part of the situation. Together, we must work to address the 12 to 14 million undocumented immigrants. Every day that we do nothing, a family is torn apart by this broken immigration system.”
Thanks, Congressman Baca, for giving voice to the powerless, rather than to the paranoid.
