A CALL FOR JUSTICE

The current recession with high unemployment has caused America to turn its back on the millions of workers attracted here during the last economic expansion, causing immeasurable harm to families.

The economic expansion of the 90's created a huge demand for workers, and our country created an unspoken, unofficial and unlocked door policy that let in workers to fuel the economic boom, even though many came without legal status. These workers provided the labor force that resulted in the greatest economic expansion in history. We all benefited, and the resultant tax revenues temporarily created a balanced federal budget. The immigrant workers, like many before them, then established roots in the communities in which they lived and in effect became part of mainstream America with U.S.-born children.

The boom, as all booms eventually do, fizzled -- and the need for these workers waned. They became expendable, and as has happened many times in history, pressure began to mount to deport them, leading to the current stage. But now, the numbers are greater than in previous episodes -- and vastly more families and children are being impacted.

The U.S.-born children of the undocumented workers, a number that exceeds three million, have already been hit severely. Beyond the reach of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment, they find themselves in legal limbo. Since they cannot legally deport citizens, immigration officials deport parents and leave children to fend for themselves. Many children are placed into child protective agencies or in foster care, and in some cases even placed in adoption without the consent of the deported parent. Many children have suffered abuse due to their vulnerable circumstances.

Others have been deported defacto in that they are taken by relatives to join their parents after deportation to the country of origin. Imagine children being deported to a country they do not know and into a culture they do not fully understand. Most are unable to perform in school due to oral and written language deficiencies.

And now, with the increasing din of voices of hate and prejudice, we discern the reappearance of a dark side of American history. In 1921, during a similar clash over immigration, Congressman Albert Rossdale (R-NY) commented thusly (taken from the Congressional Record):

"Just now we hear nothing but hatred, nothing but the ravings of the exaggerated: 'I am of the best stock, I do not want to be contaminated; I have produced the greatest literature; my intellect is the biggest; my heart is the noblest--and this is repeated in every parliament, in every country, by every fool all over the world.' "

Unfortunately, the preponderance of the new voices seems to call for action reminiscent of the infamous "Mexican Repatriation" and "Operation Wetback." It need not be. There is a just and compassionate solution consistent with American values molded by its rich history as a country of immigrants.

We, therefore, urge the President and the new congress to enact immigration reform legislation in 2011 that:

• Establishes a bi-partisan commission that has broad representation, such as business, government and labor leaders, conservatives and liberals, urban and rural representatives, and others from agricultural and services fields in order to determine realistic numbers of new workers needed by our economy.
• Strengthens border security through increased personnel and technology that protects people who live near the border and removes criminals involved with drugs, violence and human trafficking.
• Protects all workers and allows both temporary and permanent workers to enter the country legally in accordance with law and economic needs.
• Takes concrete measures to help ensure that immigrants assimilate into American society, with an emphasis on English language capability and civics.
• Makes it a priority to keep families together.
• Ensures that laws are enforced humanely, that detainees are treated with dignity and whenever necessary given due process.
• Creates a path for well-performing and law-abiding undocumented immigrants to earn legal status.

Below, we offer a link to a video (CBS Channel 11, Dallas) that portrays the terrible suffering and anguish of a Dallas family that has lost a mother to deportation.

Respectfully,

Organization to Help Citizen Children
Jose R. Kennard,
President