Exclusiva
The Headlines From Around Latin America and the Hispanic World
David Puente is the anchor for ABC News' "Exclusiva." He regularly reports on immigration and politics in Latin America and the Hispanic community in the U.S.
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AGAIN, POWER APARTHEID?
June 07, 2007 1:35 PM
In mid-May when the bi-partisan immigration bill was announced I said the immigration battle in our country was just getting started. Events this week in Washington prove it. Immigration is becoming a divisive and tricky political issue for the candidates running in 2008. It will be a huge issue for our next president as well.
But the other battle getting less attention in our country is still the one about making America's most powerful institutions more diverse. Is diversity important in America? Not politically or morally but because it is good for business? While the numbers of minorities top 100 million in the US, many argue the most powerful positions in this country are still reserved for whites. Will these minorities create a permanent under-class that could one day explode?
Our lawmakers and society at large need to start struggling with better social integration so that our politicians, judges and journalists, all power centers in this country, reflect the diversity of the population. This is currently not the case. America is more diverse, sure, but Integrated?
Although the immigration reform bill, which would grant legal status to millions of people who are currently in the U.S. illegally, was a bipartisan announcement and has the chance to be historic, a re-energized and extremely divisive national debate is taking place.
The Congressional process continues. in the end the deal may go by the waste side and not become law. But the battle to make our institutions reflect our newer, more diverse America is a battle that won't go away as easily - a "power apartheid," where Hispanics, Blacks and Asians are not in key political, business and social positions cannot be best for our country. The Census Department estimates that four states and the District of Columbia already have a majority population composed of African, Asian or Hispanic heritage. California leads this diversity trend, home to 21 percent of the nation's minority population. The long term consequences of the growing number of minorities is a test the of the strength of America's commitment to equality of treatment.
Undoubtedly, this wave of immigration will change America, perhaps in ways that no immigrant group has before in history. Will these changes help our country? Is this diversity good for America? Do we have a choice?
June 7, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (4)
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The senator that was on this morning I was really disappointed in, I would like to know what are the families that are here working paying taxes who are illegal that have been here for years we are talking 15-20 yrs. what are they suppose to do, This country has no problem taking their money for taxes what happens to all of that money and for people who say that passing this bill will make our social security system worse, well this great country of ours are the ones that have spent all of the nations social security funds on fighting lost causes in other countries.
One day our presidents are going to put our nation at great danger butting their nose in where it doesn't belong..
Posted by: Carmen | Jun 8, 2007 7:44:22 AM
What about all of the people not only from Latin America, but from all over the world, that immigrated the right way? The legal way? Isn't blanket amnesty a slap in their faces? Yea, you had to come here, and sacrafice for YOUR family, however we can just walk in and its given to us? If anyone should be the deciding vote on this issue it should be the legal immigrants to this country who have become citizens, and have truly earned the rights and privildges that comes with it.
Af far as Carmen is concerned with spending money... chew on these, school budgets have nearly tripled to accomdate the number of illegal immigrant children, hospitals are charging increased rates to their patients because illegals don't pay their bills, crime is up, gang activity is up, amnesty is not the answer.
P.S. anyone here for 15-20 years, would have qualified under the 1986 Amesty plan. Oh sorry, did we not publish that in espanol for them? I guess thats just another reason to learn English.
Posted by: Heather | Jun 8, 2007 11:57:57 AM
When I was in secondary school I read a poem by an American writer indicating the possibility of people to wake up and change who live to till the soil and do labor that no one else would do in the country. I do not recall the title of this poem or its author, but the message spoke to the possibility that these people would rise against the oppression and discrimination that exists against them as illegal immigrants as well as recent legal immigrants who generally perform the most menial and underpayed jobs.
These changes are inevitable,the country will change as it has changed before, in what way? that will remain to the future generations to experience, and political analysts to predict.
Posted by: lily | Jun 9, 2007 11:06:29 PM
Enough is enough, we cannot keep allowing illegals to do what they want and expect us to do nothing! When is Mexico going to step up and take care of their people? It makes them look bad, especially when they are rich in oil and other resources. They have the money, if they really wanted to do something!! It is not our responsibility to take care of the world. We have families that go to bed hungry, that work full-time to make ends meet. They can't get help but illegals gets what they want, what's wrong with that picture?
We have enough problems of our own and do not need illegals adding to the problem. We have many citizens that would be alive today if not for illegals. Two teens were killed by an illegal drunk driver in VA Beach VA, if our laws were enforced, it would not have happened. Gang violence is another big problem.
We do not have to detain and deport illegals, just enforce and strengthen our laws and take away the reason they are here. They should all come in the front door, no exceptions!!!!!!
I will not vote for anybody that supports any form of amnesty.
Posted by: Mary | Jun 10, 2007 11:10:07 AM
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