RELATIONSHIPS; WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN

The immigration issues

People/voters need to understand what has been happening the past 8 years regarding immigration reform and defending our borders, regarding illegal entry. I keep hearing Republicans saying that we need to close the southern borders and defend them; and that Obama has done a terrible job on immigration reform and addressing illegal immigrants. Please know first of all that these problems and issues also existed under George Bush.

I worked for a federal Immigration Court. So I have first hand views and information on what is happening with immigration in the US. Part of the problem is that voters don’t want the real information, and do not search out real, policy and law information, needs and outcomes. Many just want to blame and attack and vote “no”; they just repeat what they hear other’s say, without any thought or checking of facts and history.
First, those that say that Obama did a terrible job need to know that the Republicans vowed to not let any bill, budget, program pass, which was proposed by Obama or his “folks”. Democrats, over the past 8 years, have proposed many excellent changes to immigration reform; to improve enforcement , laws and immigration policy. The Republicans voted “no” on these reforms and new policy. Republicans cut funding to already existing policy and programs and voted down any valuable reform; I watched as, each year, as Republicans did not pass budget bills(including those with immigration funding included); and in fact shut down the government , and did piecemeal, short-term budgets each year. Not only did they vote “no” on everything brought before them, they had no ideas for improving the situation! So they continue to say, “we need to fix immigration, and the borders”, with NO solid, workable, fundable solutions. It is fine to say, “we need to fix this problem”. But we must have feasible, fundable ideas for fixing problems. Republicans want to fix things, but do not want to fund it, pay for it; this is damaging to our country! If you want more policing on the borders, you must pay for it. They did not give Obama more funding to do this. If you want more enforcement, you have to pay for it. Put your money where your mouth is. We cannot have comprehensive, workable, long-term immigration reform, or any other reform, without planning, long-term budget planning, and our statesmen working together to make it work. The 2 political parties must work together and put the country first. I will not vote for a person who is strictly a party person, toes the line and forgets the good of this country and everyone in it; and our American values.

Under Obama, all people entering illegally, that were caught, were given due process in this country. All people in America have a right to their day in court, for them to prove they have asylum needs, citizenship rights, or for the government to prove they are illegal, without recourse, and deport them. To do this we must fund the judges and courts. Over the past 12 years Republicans have obstructed and defunded the hiring of Immigration judges. They say they want illegals removed, but refuse to fund the process. Therefore, there are thousands of illegals in this country right now because we don’t fund their court needs. Many end up “disappearing” because our system is severely backlogged; due to lack of funding., Keep in mind that most of the illegals we see in court now are women and children from countries with dangerous political and civil issues. Many times it is not safe for them to remain in their countries. They have the right to a day in court, to present their case for asylum or citizenship. That is America.
Another example is that we give out thousands of H2A and H2B visas each year to immigrants(US employers) who wish to come and work in this country. This program was supported by Bush, as well as by Obama. It is pushed by employers who wish to bring in low cost workers to do jobs. This is also a source of illegal immigrants, when the workers overstay their visas and become illegal. Then our enforcement and court systems enter the picture: these must be funded adequately. They are not , due to Republican obstruction.

Republicans cannot have it both ways. If they want illegals to be kept out of the country, they will have to pay for it, and quit obstructing lawmakers and presidents who are trying to do the job, and become quality statesmen who come up with quality ideas to solve the problem(not idiot ideas and extremism). If they want immigration reform to work, they will have to fund it, quit obstructing, and come up with quality ideas for solving the problem. It helps if we read and keep up with the real problems, what our politicians are doing, attempts to pass quality policy in Congress, and have intelligent conversations. And we need to quit voting for people who obstruct, always vote no for improvement and funding, obstruct a president of the “wrong” political party, do not meet , discuss, and compromise on policy; do not have any solid, workable ideas for progress in this country.

The next time you hear someone say, “we need to keep illegals out, and we need immigration reform”, ask them if they are going to make sure their representatives vote yes for funding, and make sure they demand their reps have solid, workable ideas for making this happen. We also cannot stand another 8 years of reps obstructing and destroying this country, due to lack of funding, and lack of feasible ideas. This country cannot progress and become great if we do not have statesmen who seek out and listen to experts, those who work in the areas of concern, non-partisan think tanks; and seek out fellow lawmakers, discuss, debate, compromise, and come up with quality policy and programming, with a clear path for funding and enforcement. . Republicans have done nothing but complain, blame, obstruct, and throw out extreme, crazy suggestions, with no policy, guidelines, how-to’s or funding. Please ask your reps, “what policies/bills have you introduced or co-sponsored re immigration reform and enforcement? Did you vote for funding for quality immigration reform in the past eight years?”