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OPINION

Progressive Media Project: Immigration Policy = Hispanic votes?

By Ed Morales

Undocumented immigrants should be given the chance to gain legal status in the United States.

On Sept. 6, 2001, President Bush, with Mexican President Vicente Fox by his side, announced his intention to "make sure" to help undocumented workers become legal. But the Sept. 11 terror attacks put everything on hold. Suddenly, our borders looked vulnerable, relations deteriorated with Mexico over the Iraq war, and Hispanic issues ceased to be a priority for the White House.

Now, more than two years later, legislation to make it easier for undocumented immigrants to become American citizens is finally gaining momentum in the Senate. A recent article in The New York Times implies that if such legislation reaches Bush's desk, he will sign it.

One bill, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, would grant legal status to tens of thousands of high-school students or graduates who are undocumented immigrants.

Another bill, sponsored by Sens. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) would grant legal status to 500,000 farm workers if they prove they did farm work for 100 days over the past 18 months, and continue to work 360 days over the next six years.

A third bill would grant accelerated citizenship to immigrants who serve in the armed forces.The new proposals come in the wake of a changing political landscape.

In the California recall election on Oct. 7, despite assumptions of Democratic Party loyalty, Hispanics were almost evenly split, prompting many observers to declare them a swing vote that could play a major role in next year's electoral contests.

Now both Republican and Democratic members of Congress are tailoring legislation that will appeal to this Hispanic base. By focusing on the feel-good stories of allowing families to remain intact, rewarding loyal participation in the Iraq war, and assuring that undocumented workers must have clean criminal records and tax-paying histories, Washington politicians have found a politically safe and effective way to attract Hispanic voters.

But no matter the motives, it is gratifying that these changes are on the horizon. Undocumented immigrants have played a major role in the American economy. They do the jobs many others don't want to do, and they pay taxes and participate in their communities. It is time for them to stop living in fear and have their hard work and contributions to this country recognized.

Ed Morales is a contributor to the Village Voice and Newsday in New York, and author of "Living in Spanglish" (St. Martin's Press, 2002). He can be reached at pmproj@progressive.org.

END OF OPINION SECTION