Submitted by Rickford Burke, President, Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)
I applaud President Obama for the bold reforms to the nation’s broken immigration system, albeit temporary. Immigration reform does not only impact our Latino brothers and sisters. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the Caribbean, South America and Africa now qualify for relief from the threat of deportation and will become eligible for lawful employment.
Almost all undocumented immigrants from the Caribbean and Guyana enter the United States lawfully but overstayed their visas and thus are out of status. A large percent has children and/or spouses who are either US citizens or permanent residents. Thousands more arrived before their sixteenth birthday but are ineligible for DACA because they are currently above age thirty-one. They have all lived here for a long time – decades in some cases, and are law abiding. America is their home. They deserve a shot at the American dream. Thanks to President’s initiates, they can now emerge from the shadows to pursue that dream, once they pass a criminal background check and pay any back taxes accrued.
This is a historic day for America – A nation of immigrants. Millions of families will remain united and millions of people will without fear begin to contribute to society and the US treasury. Economists forecast that this could boost GDP by over $1 trillion.
Republicans are not only opposing President Obama. They are attacking the relatives of millions of US citizens who vote, as well as millions of US permanent residents who will soon become voters. When these millions of Americans go to the polls to exercise their franchise, they will remember who stood with them and fought to keep their families united and who fought to tear their families and the nation apart!
653 responses to “President Obama’s Immigration Reform Initiatives…”
Roughly 4,200 persons living in Barbados are here illegally. Some have no papers. Some have forged papers. What do we do?
Who said that the USA is a nation of immigrants.
David
Who said the America weren’t a nation of immigrants? That statement doesn’t even make very good sense because what other nation in the world today opens its doors so freely to the people from the four corners, but America? Throughout the lahdscape of America you can see the people of every nation on the face of the earth reflected in this country. And if you examine the history of this country, you would realize how important the immigrant contribution were to the formation of the United States of America. Who has had more influence on the construction of the American Constitution than the Caribbean born/ Nevis immigrant /Founding Father, Sir Alexander Hamilton with his Federalist Papers?
@ David [BU]
President Obama coined that phrase during his speech
Of late I find it tiring to deliberate with fools and Bellevue patients and I sent you my commiserations for you are tasked with that action, irrespective of whether you like it or not
When the ole man did going to school he did very dull and slow of ken, nothing has changed in that regard but I did like to read David
There was once a time when I was able to recite this by heart, just 70 something years ago
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Very few know that these words adorn the Lady with the Flame and even less know that this was the entry point for all of the immigrants coming by ship to Amurica From 1892 to 1954
All Americans, barring the Indians are 3rd generation immigrants.
The internet I fear will kill that pastime called reading
@Piece
And this is the point of the earlier one liner – and they say we are a nation of immigrants which predictably was misconstrued.
History Times: A Nation of Immigrants
Coming to the Land of Opportunity
Throughout American history, millions of people around the world have left their homelands for a chance to start a new life in this country—and they continue to come here to this day. People who come to live in a new country are called immigrants.
Over the past 400 years, immigrants have had different reasons to come to America. Some came to escape war, others for the freedom to practice the religion of their choice. Still others came for the opportunity to own land or simply for a chance to work and escape poverty.
For example, the threat of starvation brought a large portion of Ireland’s population to the United States in the 1840s and 1850s. Potatoes, Ireland’s main source of food at the time, stopped growing because of a fungus in the soil. The Irish Potato Famine led nearly 20 percent of Ireland’s population to immigrate to the United States
Not just a caricom invention or idea that has gone awry.. .. but a philosophy that was inclusive derived out of a need to activate and accelerate Freedom…
Piece
Thousands of immigrants still visit the Statue of Liberty ann
How do you know that a very few Know the words to Emma Lararus poem which is engraved on the Statue of Liberty? I have read this poem in that little library there in Bridgetown as a teenage old one. There you going again with your two wooden legs, assuming what people do and do not know. I told you that the wheelchair industry is booming up North brother; you need to get out and about.
US Anti-Immigration protesters are paranoid white racists
50 years ago there was institutionalised racism and civil rights movements, now you got Ferguson protestors, KKK Cops and US Army about to mix up
David
I have gotten your one liner above, but next time try to be a little more conspicous because interpretation and not misconstruction as you so incorrectly assumed, is left up to the individual observer.
Yes, David, America is still the land of immigrants, but it is also a land of laws. And the argument on the Right is that, “It sends to wrong message to the rest of the world when you reward those persons who violates US Immigration laws with a passage to citizenship.” You see, the president is caught between a rock and a hard place because he wants to adhere to the wishes of the majority of American people on the one hand. While on the he wants to do the humanitarian thing as far as the undoucumented immigrants are concerns, as well as obeying US immigration laws without assuming a dictatorial power.
David
The dominant forces at work here have to do with a failing president seeking legacy. And he has a better than even chance to influence the future with actions to be taken over the next few years. In short, he is like a pig going to market, so he intends to bite some people!
The immigration intervention will forever interfere with the margins Democrats have in future elections, no matter how arcane it might appear presently. These things have a way of morphing into institutions once lawyers have their way. Indeed, our friends in the profession, have already told us that that is the hidden plan. And the Republicans know this. Indeed, Republicans see this as a clear threat to their very existence as a dominate political party. An existence predicated, in part, by crypto racism. Obama could very well do a few more things to add to his health care ‘victory’ and so on.
On foreign policy, Obama is fixing to be like Nixon. Nixon brought China into the fold as Obama is seeking to bring the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) into the international system. Republicans however, are seeking at home and abroad to stymie all these efforts. Republicans will spend the next two years trying to erase any memory he was ever president, and thereafter. They would prefer him not to be remembered, like Gerald Ford.
Politics are amazing! A man who spent 6 years pandering to evil may end up being one of the best presidents of the USA. At least in the minds of the establishment historians like Doris Kearns-Goodwin .
@ pieceuhderockyeahright and other elders.Be careful.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/59717/preying-priests
The Obama’s presidency has polarized America like never before. On the job for example: you have White Republicans/ bigots who would tell you straight-up that their do not like Obama. (An attitude that was hidden among Northern Whites prior to Mr. Obama’s election, as far as my experience goes.) The only real support that I have seen for Mr. Obama on my job is among some members of the Gay and Hispanics communities. But for the most part, a large segment of the African American Community is still conflicted about Mr. Obama and probably because their do not truly understand the real struggle of the man.
The East Indians who kiss up to the White man generally vote Republican.
@ Hants
Thank you for the thought, I will keep a lookout
@ Dompey
Genuine apologies
It was only when Pat shared those remarks yesterday that I realized that what I thought was one matter of one issue is in fact dyslexia
You therefore has a free pass from me in this regard and accept my apologies
The art of healthy polemics sometimes resorts to attacking “form” in addition to deficits in substance.
Sometimes a man or woman may, when the substance is incontrovertible just go to the messenger and seek to upset his equilibrium mindful that his message is sound.
Unfortunately you, nor no one else, gets a “free pass” if yours subject matter is flawed, the blog is for reasoned posts submitted by reasonable men/women.
De ole man don’t know bout retained earnings but if the going rate for legal services is $20,000 for and opinion and a whole Harrison’s Cave committee let a fellow get $500,000 for it, you better believe that this non accountant gine ask what sort of robbery de committee endorsing
Have a**
White Guy Hate propaganda says Blacks and Browns can’t Unite
U
N
I
T
Y
that spells UNITY
US is a nation of Immigrants——NOT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!
@ Piece “All Americans are 3 rd Gen?????? REALLY?
I was totally unaware of that since a Generation is defined as 25-30 years!
Today’s US Immigration policy is obviously completely different to 100 years ago, when the US required to grow their population in a major way.
320 mn now, no need to accept just anybody, unless very useful/ promising prospects like MIT/ Caltech et al Foreign students should be snapped up the US does NOT need ANYMORE POOR or LAZYASSES! Nearly half the US population receives Govt benefits now! ( CAN NOT afford such with the large BabyBoomer population retiring, most Western countries better take in the best and cleverest to generate the wealth needed)
@Domps
Only those on the Right understand what ILLEGAL means! So only Right wingers are literate?
NAturally it sends the WRONG MESSAGE to carte blanche except ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS! Half of LATAM and the Cbean, Africa, India etc would be on the next FLIGHT or contacting their local ILLEGAL Border Crossing criminal.
Piece
But honestly, I gine miss yaa buddy, when daa man up in de sky, or de one down below tek possession of yaa spirit. Yaa have bean a bag of laughs and I gine truly miss yaa old one. I en care wuh naa body saa becausing your writing poise has impeccable and your employment of Bajan colloquialism has been immaculate. But wuh a gine do bout dem too wooden legs though?
Founding Fathers and US constitution was to establish whites rights
US is a Racist Culture down to its foundation
@Pacha
The great Lyndon B Johnson was a MASTER Politician who actually made absolutely sure that proper Civil Rights Legislation was PASSED (by facing off with very powerful Southern Racist leaders), as JFK had FAILED to accomplish. However because of Vietnam, which he had inherited, he is remembered as a bad Pres.
@Easy—White guy hate prop
Black and Brown could unite, why not???
OH, I forgot that the Pols in Bim, Africa etc BREKKING fah demselves like HUMANS are prone to do. UNITE? Sure they will unite themselves with the PEEPs $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
This GREED is the real problem that requires SOLVING!
@Easy
You are correct that the Founding Fathers would have been interested in Whites and at the SAME historical period in Africa were the leaders in Africa providing and planning for Whites or Blacks????????????????????????????
The Zulus were welcoming Whites to South Africa????????
Obviously NOT! Societies were far more homogeneous hundreds of years back! Therefore, they ALL thought about their RACE then!
Moneybrain
You are right. But Johnson was more than a master politician, he was other things as well, some not good at all. Maybe human! However, he does not get near enough credit for actually doing the things the Kennedys were avoiding. You are right on that point. We agree with you, generally.
Obama using executive pardon to make 5 million immigrants eligible to regularize their status is not unprecedented. Why are the Republicans up in arms about it? Didn’t Reagan do it?
MONEYBRAIN
You have put into words what I was incapable of expressing to the old one. America has to be mindful of its immigrant population both legal and illegal because in 1987 the population of the United States stood at some two- hundred and fifty million. Now, today the American population has been estimated to be well over three -hundred -million and growing. And intelligent minds ought to comtemplate the fact that if America continues on this trajectory, that sooner or later it will find itself in a place where its will be incapable of taking care of its own.
Obama (Immigration policy) speech … America is stolen property and we intend to keep it stolen.
The undocumented immigrants were already in the Country
Nothings changed they have been given 3 years visas
Moneybrain
The Dream Act sat in the Republican controlled government way before Mr. Obama’s presidency. So why didn’t George W. Bush utilized his executive power to enacted it into law as Mr. Obama has done? Can I get a clear and honest answer from you sir? The Dream Act which President Obama enacted into law was proposed in 2001. And 2013, 15 states now have their own version of the Dream Act Moneybrain.
@ Money Brain
I spoke to immigration specifically and the Immigrant population to which the Blogmaster refers and to which The Naturalization Act, passed by the United States Congress on June 18, 1798 (1 Stat. 566), increased the period necessary for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States from 5 to 14 years.
Do not get inveigled by contemporaneous commentary about illegal nor legal as I DID NOT LIMIT MY REMARK TO illegal immigrants but to the premise posited by The Blogmaster
In thè strictest sense I guess that the United States is therefore a nation of immigrants of 4 generations and not your microcosm of 100 years.
You would have missed my defining remark re barring the native Indians…as did others
I am NOT suggesting that those who entered ILLEGALLY should be sent back carte blanche!
Criminals in the system of which there are supposedly many Mexicans/ Hispanics et al should be flown home asap. Those who have a family and are contributing honestly/ working hard should be given leniency and eventual status. The poor bastards who pick fruit/ veg must be legalised.
I have friends/ school mates who have lived in the US illegally and some qualified for amnesties past. One chap is exceedingly clever but had to go to US and may never have achieved what he was capable of because of being illegal for so long—what a waste to the US/ Bim and himself/ family! Govts must initiate a system to identify and assist the best/ cleverest of their citizens for the benefit of the nation.
Pachamama
You’re quite right about President Johnson, he was the moral voice for the minorities and underclasses in America. But not much is given to this man in the way of credit. His entire desire for social- justice begun when he taught Hispanics as a school teacher, way before he had enter the arena of politics.
And MB you are correct on generation and 30 years and not centuries bound.
400 divided by 30 equals immigrants BARRING THE INDIANS
Piece
Oh shut up and go and sit down. You have made an error and Moneybrain has pointed it out Big Deal. We all make mistakes sometime, that why we called Human Beings old one.
Now back to the topic of President Johnson Piece. Quite a few years ago, I saw an interview in which the late Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Gromyko, characterized President Johnson as the least intelligent president he had dealt with during his tenure. And I was quite taken back by the candor and audacious nature Mr. Gromyko, employed to eulogized the memory of President Johnson.
@Domps
You might want to have more respect for the elders!
They may not be perfect but Piece has much wisdom!
PIECE
You ought not give that Native Americans a break because quite a few of the Native American tribes owned Slaves themselves. When I relate this fact to most African Americans their somehow are shock to hear such truth.
Is this blog about Obama’s immigration reform initiatives? Reading comments on BU by some of you reminds of the experiment of the sweetie and the 4 year old.
Moneybrain
I do agree with your sentiment wholeheartedly, but Respect entails a reciprocity.
It is all about power!
Do you think ANY RACE’s leadership gives a damn?
In Europe 2-300 years ago the poorer, less influential Whites had to send their 8 year old children down the coal mines, most were dead by 25! Would such people give a RAHTEEEEEED about blacks, browns creamies?????
Orientals would sell/ give their “excess” kids to rich peeps as virtual slaves.
India still has a rigid class structure with the “Untouchables” are ostracised and excluded from the varnit system altogether! Even today there is violence against them purely because they have little power.
Moneybrain
In the Army where I served for a total of six years, for an officer to gain the respect of his men, he has to lead by example.
Domps while true, we should give the elderly much benefit of the doubt!
MONEYBRAIN
I disagree with your above statement because gone are the days of do as I say and not as I do. If you want to gain the respect of the Kids of today, you cannot be duplicitous in your dealings. Because kids learn through the process of emulation and imitation rather than by instruction as we seem to think.
It all about power but the abused of power. You point to the East Indian caste system but what about the class bigotry in Barbados? Moneybrain, power has a little to do with it but power is an end to the means. Listen to the words of the late Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes when he said that, ” Life is a continual clash of Groups, Nations, Races and Classes, representing Great Conflicting Principles, strugglying for survival in a world of limited resources.” Now is it about Resources or is it about Power?
Moneybrain
I am not trying to inflate your ego here brother. But out of all of the peopple who uses this blog, I find you to be the Epitome as well as embodiment of what an educated person ought to represent. And I have observed your equanimity under verbal pressure and it has remained a positive constant.
The boundary of ignorance can be limitless sometimes.
@DAVID
THERE IS THE ABILITY TO COMPREHEND AND THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING THAT USELESS “KNOWLEDGE” IS JUST USELESS
THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING THAT “KNOWLEDGE” IS ONLY USEFUL WHEN APPLIED APPROPRIATELY OR TO A PRACTICAL END, UNLESS OF COURSE YOU ARE ON JEOPARDY
@GP
As you know when we had our squabble about what defines educated, it must be the application of concepts learned in a manner that is relevant to the issue at hand. BU will venture to add, the message must resonate with the audience even if it motivates questions if initially the message is not understood.
On Sunday, 23 November 2014, Barbados Underground wrote:
>
“Dompey | November 23, 2014 at 1:48 PM |
Moneybrain
I do agree with your sentiment wholeheartedly, but Respect entails a reciprocity.”
Well said Dompey.
DAVID
And as I speak here comes the anthithesis of the above prespective.
David, you some how fail to grasp the concept that education has little do with constrcting the perfect sentence, or memorizing and regurgitate what you have been taught. But this you ought to understand: what goes into your mind ought change the way think, what you believe and ultimately how you behave.
Thank you Pat!