Obama's Electoral Appeal to Immigrants

The American leader is courting Hispanics with extensive reforms to the immigration system, which would facilitate the integration of illegal immigrants.

During a visit last Tuesday to El Paso, Texas, on the Mexican border, American President Barack Obama called for a comprehensive immigration reform, urging Republican opposition to join him in efforts to “liberalize the law” governing this area. Political analysts immediately assessed this as an election-minded approach aimed at the Hispanic community, whose support was crucial in the 2008 presidential election and could tip the scales next year as well.

Aware that Hispanic voters are increasingly frustrated by the inability of the White House to follow through on promises regarding immigration reform, Obama sought to reassure supporters that the issue remains a priority for the administration. But he did not forget to remind them that Republicans remain an obstacle to such efforts. Approximately 67 percent of Hispanics voted for Obama in 2008, compared to only 31 percent who opted for his Republican opponent, John McCain. The vote of this community secured the current American leader’s victory in four states where Republican George W Bush defeated Democrat John Kerry in 2004.

Illegal, But Useful to Society

On a visit to one of the 327 points of entry into U.S. territory, Obama ridiculed Republicans and their criteria for immigration law reform, including border security. “We have gone above and beyond what was requested by the very Republicans who said they supported broader reform as long as we got serious about enforcement. But even though we’ve answered these concerns, I suspect there will be those who will try to move the goal posts one more time. … Maybe they’ll say we need a moat. Or alligators in the moat,” joked Obama, according to the New York Times.

In short, the president asked Congress to approve a new package of laws that, on one hand, encourages skilled migrants to integrate into American society and, on the other hand, strikes a blow to the underground economy. More specifically, an immigrant must first emerge from underground, learn English and pay taxes. Foreigners who complete college in the U.S. and want to remain to start a business will receive legal statute, further enumerated Obama. The so-called Dream Act, a bill through which minors brought to the U.S. who graduate high school or enroll in the U.S. army can receive citizenship, is another goal of the current administration, the president reminded his listeners. “Now we need to come together around reform that reflects our values as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants; that demands everyone take responsibility,” emphasized the White House leader.

Republicans Do Not Yield

The opposition’s reply wasn’t long in coming. “Providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, as the president called for again today, without requiring illegal immigrants to return to their countries of origin and apply for legal status, is amnesty,” said Elton Gallegly, California congressman. “Amnesty will not pass Congress, Mr. President,” warned the Republican.

In absence of a federal immigration law, the states of Arizona, Georgia and Utah adopted their own measures to regulate the phenomenon, but they were later invalidated due to controversial provisions related to the arbitrary checks of persons suspected to have entered the country illegally.

Eleven million illegal immigrants, mostly Hispanic, are now in the United States.

“For the President’s message to take hold, he must show that this is not a Hispanic issue, this is an American issue.” Lillian Rodriguez, leader of a Hispanic organization.