By: Stewart A. Alexander
More than 50,000 immigrants and immigrant rights advocates filled the streets of Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, April 7, 2007, to rally support for fair legislation for immigrants; and to protest against the recent White House plan that will further restrict the rights of immigrants across America.
The March and rally was one of the largest in recent months and it further demonstrated the growing momentum of the immigration rights movement.
There were thousands of signs in the crowd, many symbolic of the signs of the time that highlight a growing gap between the public and politicians in Washington DC. Recently the Bush Administration released plans that would severely restrict the rights of immigrants and would impose hefty fees and fines for immigrants to live and work in the U.S.
Under the president’s plan immigrants could obtain a three year work visa, identified as a “Z” visa that could be renewed indefinitely; the renewal fee, every three years, would cost $3,500. Immigrants seeking permanent residency would be required to leave the U.S. then could return after applying at a U.S. embassy or consulate and paying a $10,000 fine.
Most critics say the Bush plan would be a setback for immigrants and the high fees are only a tax on working class people. Political left groups and organizations across the nation, excluding the Democrats, are rejecting all aspects of the president’s plan and are dismissing it as a “No go.”
Immigration advocates believe the pathway to citizenship should begin with amnesty for the 11 to 12 million immigrants that are presently living in the U.S. Advocate groups also oppose any fines on immigrants and support a process that would keep families together. The Bush plan could cost families $10’s of thousands and would also divide families. The plan also appears to be a strategy designed to attack working class people and their families; a tax on the poor and needy in America.
Many immigration advocates believe the Bush Administration and Capitol Hill have declared war on immigrants and the working class. Just recently congress approved funding to begin building a 700 mile fence along the U.S. Mexico border and to install electronic monitoring equipment. Bush has ordered the National Guards, from several states, to begin patrolling the border. Also Congress, the Democrats and Republicans, has shown little or no determination to protect the rights of immigrants.
The recent planning and organizing of the immigrant rights movement is revealing the growing strength of grassroots organizations across America; the movement is also revealing the dissatisfaction that millions of Americans have with the Democrats and Republicans in resolving complex issues such as immigration reform, the Iraq War and many other national and international issues.
The Bush plan is another set back for immigrants across America and it appears to be another misguided war for this administration.
For more information search the Web for Stewart A. Alexander; Immigrants Are Lost in American Politics; Border Fence- The Cost is Far Too High; Los Angeles Indymedia.
Visit Stewart’s Website: http://www.salt-g.com | stewartalexander4paf@ca.rr.com
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