By Dale Elizabeth Merriman
Joining the post-election maneuvering for immigration reform, immigrant rights groups are throwing down the gauntlet, asserting that the new administration and Congress have no choice but to support legalization given the surge of Latino voters for Democrats.
Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, said “that the record number of Latino and immigrant voters created a clear mandate for immigration reform and economic security for all Americans."
Ali Noorani, from the National Immigration Forum
But the organization’s message of congratulations for President-elect Obama also contained a warning. What Latinos and immigrant voters give, they can take away—if immigration reform is not a priority. These New Americans are a powerful voice in determining the future that they have worked for and sacrificed so much to obtain.
"Our new President should not take for granted the support of the immigrant vote," said Noorani, "because it is not an unconditional support. Unless we move beyond the stalemate toward a pragmatic approach to fix our broken immigration system through a workable solution that is tough, fair, and realistic, then the new American vote will swing the other way."
In researching this, I could not help but ask why there is not a “Secretary of Immigration” in a country that is built upon the contributions of new citizens from all over the globe. Instead, all eyes turn to Janet Napolitano, Secretary-appointee, to Homeland Security, who has maintained a moderate record when it comes to immigration and seems altogether to be walking the fine line of political correctness in a climate that deserves more passionate advocacy for hard-working migrant employees and their families.
On December 4th, 1990, it was determined by the General Assembly in respect to December 18th of every year, that this day should be recognized as “International Migrants’ Day”. Totally karmic for me since December 4th is my father’s birthday and he predicted that Hispanic languages and others from abroad would one day be recognized as national languages in the US and then, of course, December 18th is my oldest son’s birthday and I see a perception with him that knows no borders in the friends and associates that he spends time with.
And as the official public statement issued by the organizers of the 9th International Migration Day points out, December 18, 2008, also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The statement goes on by saying that "many UDHR provisions vividly relate to some of the threats – racism, xenophobia, labor and sexual exploitation, arbitrary detention and other injustices – and hopes – freedom of movement, right to work, to education, to live in dignity – experienced by millions of women, men and children."
"This demonstrates," the statement continues, "that migrants rights are human rights." This statement can be read in its entirety at the following web address: www.december18.net
And yet, given the latest increase in anti-immigrant hate crimes in the NY area, there is clearly a lot to be done. This year’s Migrant Day is already sadly marked by the shocking killing of Jose O. Sucuzhanay, who died on Friday night (Dec 12, 2008) at Elmhurst Hospital Center, as his mother was traveling from Ecuador to see him one last time. Sucuzhanay was brutally beaten with a bottle and baseball bat last week by a group of men shouting anti-gay and anti-Hispanic attacks in Brooklyn, NY. And unfortunately, this is just one in a series of recent attacks against immigrants, and I sincerely hope that NY and Federal authorities move fast to bring justice to these unconscionable acts.
So please, mark December 18 with some kind of acknowledgment to the work, lives, culture and contributions that many migrants and non-American citizens have given to the American culture as a whole; let us elevate this holiday closer to Cinco de Mayo.
And in respect to our changing world, we need to foster the tolerance that comes from cooperation and not the hostility derived from too much competition.
Better yet, send your holiday contributions to:
The New York Immigration Coalition
Damayan Migrant Wokers Association, Inc.
The Migrant Education Resource Center
Also, here’s the official web site for the International Migrant’s Day:
http://www.december18.net
