Senate is to Vote Today

CBS reports that the Senate is scheduled to vote on the Dream Act today.  The House passed the legislation last night with 216 votes to 198.  Interestingly, a few of those votes in favor were from 8 Republicans.  CBS is predicting the legislation to be filibustered, but those 8 Republicans that crossed party lines could show some glimmer of hope.  Jeff Sessions is one of the bill's strong critics, saying that the Dream Act does not solve what Americans want Congress to do--end the lawlessness of immigration.  President Obama, on the other hand, praised the passing of the legislation in the House.

After talking about the Dream Act in class all semester, I have come to the conclusion I want it to pass.  I think this legislation is a healthy compromise to the number of children stuck here and without any means to make a life back in their original country.  That is one reason why I have never been able to support Republicans on immigration policy because they fail to look into the heart of the issue.  The estimated 13 million illegal immigrants in this country are not some growing cancer that is going to destruct our society.  These young immigrants who want to contribute to society, through serving or going to college, deserve a fair chance.  I was a little offended by Jeff Sessions claiming he knows what Americans want and that want is only to enforce the law.  I felt it was only a political ploy, and he truly does not speak for many Americans, like myself, that really want to see some sort of policy that addresses the complications to illegal immigration.  These Republicans criticize amnesty, yet they offer no solutions.  If they fail to compromise on immigration, they are not serving in American's best interests.

Perceptions on Immigration: Are They Getting Any Better?

Today, in a rhetoric class I am taking, someone in the class tried arguing for SB1070, and it made me question if people's perceptions on immigration are getting any better.  First off, she failed to do enough research on the topic, and she only reiterated the negative sentiments on illegal immigration without back up her argument with logic and facts.  Secondly, she lost credibility with me when she faltered on one of my questions.  Earlier this semester, I went to one of the SB1070 debates, and a University of Arizona law professor deemed the writers of the legislation purposely kept the language vague.  I asked the girl in my class what she thought about the professor's assessment, and she failed in even identifying Susan Bolton by her name.

Watching this presentation, full of assumptions and not enough facts, makes me wonder if people cannot stop and think logically about the implications and true issues with SB1070.  I have hopes that a compromise will be a solution to immigration policy, but when people hold emotionally driven and polarizing thoughts on immigration, I sadly question if we, as a nation, will ever find an adequate solution to immigration policy.

Lou Dobbs: New Look on Immigration

I find it interesting that Lou Dobbs has retracted a little from his previous statements about illegal immigration. Before this interview, I was under the impression that Lou Dobbs did not believe in giving any sorts of rights to illegal immigrants, but his stated side with Bill O'Reilly made me think other wise.  I think this change of heart by Lou Dobbs is a hopeful sign that people can settle for the middle.  With the failure of Bush's immigration legislation and the Dream Act, I think, like Lou Dobbs demonstrated here, that politicians and American citizens need to compromise on immigration policy.