For a country that often refers to being a “nation of immigrants,” it is quite disappointing that almost an entire 90 minute long debate went without serious discussion about immigration reform. Immigration reform came up in the last few minutes, and even then, it was skimmed over. Secretary Clinton was asked a question about what her priority would be in her first few months in office, and the moderator mentioned that her big three issues are gun control, immigration reform, and paid sick leave. She did not want to pick just one, and this is where an already glaring problem grew worse. She proceeded to mention a number of issues that were really important and deserved immediate attention as soon as she would be in office. Immigration reform did not come up until the end of her response, and it was presented as just a phrase without any real details. When Senator Sanders was asked about immigration reform, he did mention that it needed to be addressed immediately. He also said, “We have to do something for the 11 million people living in the shadows.” Soon, Secretary Clinton went on to discuss how comprehensive immigration reform would also bring people out of the shadows.
While one could be happy that immigration reform even made its way into the debate (unlike issues such as voters’ rights, police brutality, and education), it is beyond clear that the issue of immigration reform is not of importance to our candidates for president as it is to millions of Americans. What’s worse is that this apathy and lack of urgency is being seen in a party that is supposedly the best option when it comes to immigration reform. Now, you might be thinking “There will be other opportunities to discuss this issue” or “At least they brought it up” or even “They cannot talk about everything in 90 minutes.” If that’s the case, I especially encourage you to read on.
Somehow during this debate, about 70% of the debate (pleasantly substantive debate at that) was on issues related to the candidates and not issues that are affecting the American people. Viewers heard about emails, speech transcripts, votes in congress, and electability. Of course, this is due largely in part to the questions that were asked by the moderators. That is where the issue comes in.
Why is immigration reform (which has sadly become a buzzphrase) not on their minds? Why aren’t the deportations of hundreds of mothers and children on their minds? Why is the lack of legal information and representation to immigrants not on their mind? Why is the fact that it could basically take a lifetime to become a US Citizen not on their minds?
Those are only just a few of the issues that are related to immigration that face the United States today. It appears that in all the talk of how we’re a nation of immigrants and how this country was built on immigration, many have forgotten that immigration is something that is affecting millions of people right now today. It is affecting people of all different ethnicities, races, religions, genders, sexualities, and more. There are very real issues with our system that force someone to a country that has never been home or to a country they fled because they were in danger. When did we reach a point where issues like that were not concerning enough?
It is time for presidential candidates to truly face issues related to immigration. Of course, there could easily a debate just on immigration, but we should not sit through an entire debate where a candidate cannot even bring it up on his or her own. In fairness to Governor O’Malley, he would bring up certain immigration issues in his opening and closing speeches. He is no longer in the race, and we are left with Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton. When will immigration become as important to the Senator as taking down the one percent? When will immigration become as important to the Secretary as continuing to build on Obamacare?
Interestingly enough, years ago, Secretary Clinton made waves by declaring that “Women’s rights are human rights.” Years ago, Senator Sanders was protesting and marching in the Civil Rights movements. Immigrant’s rights are important like those causes. Immigrant’s rights even intersects with those causes. We already know that on the Republican side there is not a candidate who has ideas regarding immigration that will help immigrants. Maybe one day we just won’t hear about ideas last minute with democratic candidates, but see that the issue is truly important to them. See that they want to connect with communities affected by immigration beyond tweeting in their language. See that they won’t have to be forced by moderators to bring it up. I am not sure if that day will come in this election, but immigration issues are not going anywhere. It is time we address them. This country can’t wait, and immigrants can’t wait.
Migration Station 