Two days ago, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) held a press conference in Chicago on Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR). Gutierrez called the urgent meeting on Ya Basta (or “Enough is Enough!”) in light of the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. Calling the US’s current immigration system “broken and overwhelmed,” Obama has expressed support for the legislation, reportedly telling the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials that, “I want to come back to you, during the first term of my first year and sign comprehensive immigration reform.”
Surrounded by mothers, Muslims, priests, community organizers, families, and children holding signs reading, “I was born in the USA, please don’t take my mommy away,” the congressman reaffirmed his commitment to keeping families together and continuing the struggle against ICE raids and deportations, which have intensified over the last several years under the Bush administration’s “War on Terror.” The Guardian recently reported that “The U.S. Government arrested and deported a record number of illegal immigrants, nearly 350,000 in the past year.”
Splitting speaking time between Spanish and English, Gutierrez shunned the “political actions” taken by this administration to “feed that thirst that the very right wing elements of American society have, the xenophobic elements.” Of undocumented immigration he further went on to say: “It’s a misdemeanor, not a criminal offense. Stop criminalizing it. Make them pay a fine. Put them on probation for a few years. Let them work, and toil away, and learn. Make them learn skills, make them take English lessons. Let them deserve it.” In response to Homeland Security’s premise that it is protecting its borders from terrorists, the Congressman argued, “Then, stop raids on the woman who windexes store windows at 1 am to prepare them for you to go shopping. We know she’s not dangerous. These people are not a threat.”
I decided to make an impromptu trip to the press conference upon receiving an invitation from the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), and I’m glad I did. It reminded me of those I had left behind in Tijuana, Mexico – a place I was fortunate enough to explore in the Spring of 2007 during Global Exchange’s “US-Mexico Border Tour.” Among those I learned tremendously from were the migrants at Casa del Migrante, who put a human face on an issue which is largely misunderstood by those who are unaware of the unjust loopholes of NAFTA – a trade agreement which, though it claims to be about “free trade,” does not honor “fair trade.” Over the dinner they shared with me, these men shared stories of their struggle to make ends meet for themselves and their families – forcing them to travel through rough terrains and risk their lives to cross the border into a country whose policies have long-defended the unjust actions of its corporations in Mexico, while simultaneously viewing Mexicans’ desire to work and survive as a threat to its national security. All I have to say is four words: Ningún Ser Humano es Ilegal… No Human is Illegal.
I was able to capture two clips of Guiterrez’s press conference. In the first, he supports Obama’s pick for Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, saying that he would be “effective” and “get things done.”
In the second video, he censures the current administration’s “hypocritical” policies and practices, and also expresses his hope and desire to work with Mccain again, who (to my surprise), once supported CIR but who (not surprisingly) distanced himself from the issue during his run for the presidency.
Gutierrez later affirmed to reporters that he was interested in Illinois’ open senate seat, but emphasized that working for comprehensive immigration reform was his top priority, a statement which was met with resounding applause and cheers from the group around him who was probably thinking, “Si Se Puede… Yes We Can.”
On a side note: The Sunlight Foundation’s Open Congress project is an excellent source of up to date information on current legislation going through Congress; in effect, it uses the power of the Internet to create greater government transparency and accountability. Check it out!
