The Case for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Yareni De Anda
Sept 18th 2009
4:05


This article discusses the present issue of Mexican immigration that the U.S. faces and the options that the country’s leaders have in terms of addressing it in a rational manner. The authors point out the absurdity of the measures that the government has taken to try to keep Mexican migrants from coming into the country (the Wall). They then go on to state that a better way of addressing the situation is for politicians to focus on the origins of the problem and take on some responsibility for the causes of Mexican immigration such as NAFTA. They also talk about the unrealistic and un-American idea of getting rid of 12 million undocumented immigrants and separating families of U.S. citizens. Instead he proposes to take on a more fair, sensitive and comprehensive immigration reform that reunites families and includes a more humane border and interior enforcement respectful of human rights. From a religious stance the author tries to make people cognizant of the injustice of the situation by reminding us of our religious traditions. He believes that no family, including immigrant families should have to live in fear of being alienated.

I think this article is relevant to the subject discussed in class (global division of labor) in terms of the injustice and exploitation that people who try to survive in this globalized economy experience. The fact is that the people that once were members of an agricultural society in which education was not emphasized are now victims of a capitalist system in which corporations’ only interest is money/profit. The key point that the author made in this article is that the Gov. does not want to take responsibility for the job loss of local farmers in Mexico since the 90’s. It is nothing but obvious to me the reasons behind the opposition to a more fair-for-all immigration reform. It is easier and cheaper to exclude and exploit the 12 million workers that are part of a secondary labor market and not give them access to services etc. than to do so because it costs money and they are not willing to make such investment. Overall I feel this article presents a comprehensive and intelligent discussion of why we need comprehensive immigration reform.

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