Obama's right on immigration
President Obama put immigration reform, and with it the link to higher education, back in focus during his State of the Union speech Tuesday night. This overture is welcome and needed for the nation, and more urgently, for Southern Arizona.
Obama has broached the necessity of fixing the country's immigration system before. It needs reform to make it work for employers who need workers, for people who want to work in the United States but lack the documents to do so legally, and for communities that deal with criminal elements fostered by the underground economy and smuggling linked to illegal immigration.
In the third year of Obama's presidency, the time has come to work on immigration reform in earnest. Immigration policy is integrally linked not only to public safety but to the economy, education, the environment and health care.
Obama also highlighted the need for Democrats and Republicans to work together, because there is no other choice if the country is to succeed on scales large and small. Immigration policy is a difficult knot to untangle, to be sure, but it is a necessity.
"Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. And I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that debate will be difficult. I know it will take time. But tonight, let's agree to make that effort. And let's stop expelling talented, responsible young people who could be staffing our research labs or starting a new business, who could be further enriching this nation."
The president segued from education to immigration in his speech, and their interconnectedness is important to recognize.
"Today, there are hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens. Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet they live every day with the threat of deportation."
While he didn't specifically identify it, Obama was referring to the Dream Act, which would create a way for a limited group of young people who were brought as children illegally into the U.S. by their parents to get on a path to citizenship after completing high school, provided they continue with higher education or military service. The Dream Act has been kicking around Congress for years; it should be law.
Obama also highlighted a lesser-known but crucial gap in existing immigration policy that allows foreign students to come to the U.S. for college or advanced study, but then throws up roadblocks when graduates want to remain here and work. "But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us. It makes no sense," he said.
The Arizona congressional delegation has knowledge and experience to contribute on both sides of the aisle.
Sen. John McCain is in a position to show leadership in immigration policy, but to be effective he will have to go back to his original position and support comprehensive changes rather than sticking to a "secure the border first" approach. As a top Republican, Sen. Jon Kyl can help ensure that immigration becomes a priority for his party.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva knows what needs to be fixed from the ground up. He has a wealth of information to share and Obama should call on him. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is unable, at this point, to participate in the effort, but her common-sense position - that border security and fixing the overall immigration system are inextricably linked - is well known and should be taken into account.
The time for immigration reform is now, and we are counting on Obama to lead the effort and on the Arizona delegation to work with him to get it done.