Obama’s Mexicans?

Mexicans are a majority in the U.S. According to the 2010 Census, Mexicans are 63 percent of the Hispanic population, with 50 million Latinos counted, and 10 percent of the U.S. [population]. Mexico counts in the vote yet it does not matter.

The Latino vote could redefine the presidential election. We should remember that the two Bush and Obama administrations were defined by Latinos. If the campaigns today focus on education for children of the undocumented, bilingual education, or other Social Security or immigration reform legislation, their votes would be secured. However, neither Obama nor the Republican candidates have a clear or immigrant-friendly message.

Obama received 68 percent of the Latino vote in 2008 with his message of hope, but today many are disenchanted. After the financial crisis and due to his incapacity to implement immigration reform, Latinos could change their votes. Additionally, Obama is the one responsible for the most deportations during the last three decades. However, he is maintaining his campaign promise of bringing about immigration reform during his second term. At this point, what do we have for other electoral options? What is happening with the Republicans?

Mitt Romney declares that “amnesty programs” (see Nov. 22, 2011 CNN National Security Debate section) are magnets for the illegals to continue entering the U.S. His proposal is to give an identification card to those who arrive legally and demand that employers only hire those who have one. For Romney, the undocumented should leave. This opens a policy of discrimination which does not at all favor a discourse of open borders.

Newt Gingrich dislikes the new immigrants [saying] “they should go home.” For him, only “if you’ve been here for 25 years, and you got three kids and two grandkids, you’ve been paying taxes and obeying the law, you belong to a local church,” should you not be deported. He mentions that local committees ought to define who lives in neighborhoods. He proposes an “E-Verify” credential that alternatively would be a credit card with which inhabitants would be easily located. This is, without a doubt, a selective and discriminatory policy.

Finally, Rick Santorum has preferred to be quiet. To speak about immigration and its reform is a trap. He is not interested in discussing the form in which one can enter his country other than to redeem the manner in which his forebears arrived. His stance is ambiguous and indifferent. Notwithstanding, the three Republicans are in agreement about closing the U.S.-Mexico border, augmenting Border Patrol, and continuing construction of the wall. This stance does not benefit anyone. What to do then?

Latino communities are more organized and seek to increase their political participation, which has already has great repercussions for the economy. Regardless of being 15 percent of the total population, they only have 3 percent representation in the Senate and 5 percent in the House of Representatives. Out of the total number of voters, only 4 percent of the U.S. Hispanic population votes. If these communities were to reach 15 percent participation, they would undoubtedly define not only the presidential elections, but also the Senate and House, and the 11 states where the governorships and state legislatures are up for grabs. They would have a greater political influence on decisions, especially in issues of the economy, employment, education, health, and government. It is urgent that there be a greater conscience among Latinos that would foment a civil society and active participation since the forecasts for population growth indicate that in 2050, Latinos will be 29 percent of the nation’s population.

The Latino population is concentrated in only a few states. Although in recent years Hispanics have dispersed toward nontraditional states, 69 percent of the total population only lives in five states. These are the most numerous groups by country of origin:

1. California, 31 percent (Mexicans, 84 percent; Central Americans, 9 percent);

2. Texas, 19 percent (Mexicans, 83 percent; Central Americans, 5 percent);

3. New York, 8 percent (Puerto Ricans, 33 percent; Mexicans, 17 percent; South Americans, 13 percent);

4. Florida, 8 percent (Cubans, 41 percent; Puerto Ricans, 18 percent; Mexicans, 17 percent; South Americans, 13 percent);

5. New Jersey, 3 percent (Puerto Ricans, 30 percent; Dominicans, 21 percent; South Americans, 21 percent).

The Mexican population is the most important.

At least 12 million Hispanics are voting in November, 25 percent more than in 2008. Today, there are Latinos in 15 states: Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Nevada. Presently, with Republicans’ anti-immigrant stances, Obama enjoys a comfortable but uncertain advantage. Everything could change. And the Mexican candidates — will they make use of and protect their compatriots in the U.S.?