WASHINGTON, D.C. -The traditional carol “Cantares de Navidad (Songs of Christmas),” by Puerto Rican Benito de Jesus, simply sums it up: “A year that comes, and another one gone”.
The year 2009 came full of hope with a new president, Barack Obama, who made history as the first African-American to lead the country, a president who promised to enact a comprehensive immigration reform during the first year of his administration, which will be up in January.
The year 2009 is ending without the reform becoming a reality though it is expected that in the next two weeks initial steps will be taken to start the legislative process when the Illinois democratic congressman, Luis Gutierrez, will present his immigration reform bill. There’s reports, even, that the Senate democrat majority leader, Harry Reid, who faces a difficult reelection next year, has intentions of starting the reform issue, which is important among the Hispanic population of his state, Nevada.
But 2009 has been a more bitter than sweet year for immigrant communities, not only because of a lack of reform but because while most consider progress and advances in political environments, others assume uncertainty and fear.
The traditional raids went on to being silent even though with the same negative effect on workers and some employers; the “revised” 287(g) is still alive and kicking; its successor, “secured communities,” was branded successful by the DHS; Human Rights Watch confirmed what was known: that the those detained by ICE are more and more separated no only of relatives but without attorneys who can help them avoid deportation. Oh, and the “virtual” wall on the border is full steam ahead.
In many ways 2009 has exceeded the expectations of who believe that by way of deportation they will solve this issue.
We’ll hear excuses from those, who for years have bragged that without security there can’t be reform, though the contrary is more accurate: without reform there can’t be complete security with millions of people without a regular immigration situation.
It’s also true that 2009 has been a difficult year for everyone. The national unemployment rate is almost 11%. There are 16 million people unemployed. Health reform is still not settled, these are challenges in search of support in Congress and the country.
In 2009 democrat senator Edward Kennedy passed away, a staunch defender of the reform. Other key figures, like the republican ex-senator, Mel Martinez, left the Senate. Others are there, but as if they weren’t because they don’t seem inclined to promote the issue. The most clear example, republican senator John McCain.
An electoral year is also coming up the only thing left for me is to wish for courage and willingness for our politicians, mostly the democrats, to do what they promised.
There’s another Puerto Rican Christmas song titled “La Misma Cosa (The Same Thing),” whose chorus says “todos los años vienen con la misma cosa (every year comes with the same thing).” Depending to what happens with the immigration front in 2010 and in case of inaction, we’ll see if this is the song that applies for the coming year.
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