Some days ago President Obama signed up an executive order that will protect employees of federal government from discrimination, especially the ones based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In the same way he should target measures towards improving immigration reform with the same fervour. Just as it has happened in the case of employee discrimination the Senate has passed a comprehensive immigration reform law but unfortunately the House has not taken any firm action in this direction. It is high time that the deportation of all eligible citizens is stopped with immediate effect. What President Obama needs to do is to use his executive powers and go big on immigration, just so that aspiring immigrants can then live and work without fear.
As the humanitarian dilemma continues to unfold across the border there is an urgent need to remedy the immigration system, and open up a fair and loophole-free path to citizenship. It is unfortunate that there are still members of the Congress who are using this scenario and making it worse for immigrant families by trying to rope in even tougher enforcement policies. This is not very encouraging.
WHY IS THERE SUCH AN INPOURING OF CHILD IMMIGRANTS ACROSS THE BORDER?
The recent influx of children into the country can be seen in a different way. In the year 2008 a law was passed that accorded immigrant children that came in from some countries the opportunity to apply for asylum before they got deported.
WHAT DO THESE CHILDREN NEED?
The children who are stranded in the US should be provided with resources under the Obama Administration and it should be ensured that they receive the right assistance.
WHAT ABOUT THE ADULT IMMIGRANTS?
The same law will not apply to the 11 million undocumented immigrant community who have been here long before there was any talk about unaccompanied minors. These undocumented immigrants do not go through the standard and mandatory immigration process – like the Immigration Medical Examination, for instance. This exposes the citizens of the country to high risk, as there is a danger of their spreading many infectious diseases. The Immigration Medical Examination is conducted by USCIS-approved Civil Surgeons only, ensuring that the pathway to permanent residency is conducted in a structured way.
UNFORTUNATE LINE OF EVENTS
Husbands are being kept away from their wives and children; workers live in perennial fear of being deported to their countries, and illegal immigrants are living in shameful and despicable conditions. Still, there are opponents who are trying every game in the book to delay and decry the need for urgent immigration reform. This cannot be allowed. More than a year has transpired since comprehensive immigration reform has been on the cards but families are still staying separated. Many family members are still living in the shadows, and are highly prone to exploitation. The men and women are being constantly exposed to the broken immigration system and it is sad that everything is still on paper. If Congress will not act, it is high time that President Obama does.