It’s estimated that there are over 12 million immigrants currently living in Miami and elsewhere across the United States illegally. The current status of these immigrants and their future naturalization prospects have long been at the heart of the immigration debate going on amongst lawmakers. Almost all involved in the discussion agree that the current U.S. immigration policy needs reform, yet the path to citizenship for illegals seems to be major stumbling block to the passage of any proposed legislation. Such a bill was passed in the Senate last year, but stalled in the House as GOP representatives disagreed with the proposed reforms regarding illegals. Similar legislation drafted by Congressional Democrats also seems unlikely to win supporters on the other side of the aisle.
As the immigration debate rages on, the Obama administration continues to add to the record 1.6 million deportations that have happened during his presidency. Supporters of reform seem to be unwilling to wait any longer. They look to press the issue by participating in marches in the coming weeks that are currently being orchestrated in over 90 U.S. cities, including Miami. These represent the largest demonstrations on behalf of immigration since 2006.
While the path to citizenship is still being debated, one point that seems to leave little room for debate is the willingness of these people to work to better their own situations and those of their families, as it’s estimated that most are currently employed in some line of work. Yet the issue that many who are troubled by proposed reforms have isn’t the illegals’ willingness to participate in the labor force, but whether they should be rewarded for entering the country illegally.
The one certainty with immigration reform seems to be that it will remain to be hot-button issue in the immediate future. For information on the current state of U.S. Immigration law, one may wish to speak with an immigration attorney.
Source: Wall Street Journal “Nationwide Marches to Press for Action on Immigrants” Miriam Jordan, Oct. 04, 2013