Immigrant Housing problems in New York

In regards to our new book I looked for something on immigration conditions in New York City. What I found was an article that showed a report of a research project conducted to analyze the housing conditions immigrants live in. In the book it talks about immigrants contributions to economy and the transformation of the city. This showed evolution of a city to fit minority groups. The sanitation of the housing facilities are out of control. Immigrants are forced to pay high percentages of their rent for very poor conditions. I think that the correlation between our reading and this report are that some things never change. This book talks about how New York City is now less than half white. Minority groups now tend to make up a large portion of the population. Our readings talked about the economical gap between whites and minorities and I think that this article is evidence that it continues to grow.
-Devere Sanchez-

Here is the link:http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E2D91531F937A35756C0A96E958260

Hillary Clinton on Puetro Ricans

Hillary Clinton spoke on this topic recently and her main points were about econcomics in Puerto Rico and their political status. In addition to this she has promised that if elected she would return some land back to Puerto Rico. This is a hard attempt for votes in this stage of her campaign. The longtime question of their status will be a priority for her to resolve if elected. I think that Hillary Clinton definately has good intentions and if she keeps her promises this will dramatically improve the economic status.
Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States since 1898 and migration to the states began. If Puerto Rico becomes the 51st state then the immigrants residing here will be entitled to the rights and advantages American citizens have. Do you think this is a good idea? I personally thing that Puerto Rico becoming another state would have a positive influence on our economy. Our text talks about the struggle for economic and political status. If it was made a state from the start, then life would have been easier for Puerto Ricans. This is because they would have a stronger voice in our government. If it becomes a 51st state then it will have a seat in Congress. This will be a step in the right direction for Puerto Ricans. Hillary Clinton has good intentions on this but we will see if she pulls through.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.observer.com/2008/puerto-rico-new-american-samoa

WSU College Republicans Pro-Fence Demonstration

I know this is old but I was looking at YouTube videos and came across this one. This talks about the demonstration on the mall by the college republicans about the immigration fence. David Leonard is the professor involved in the debate and he basically just gives of some statistics that some of those people do not know. His statistics contradict the foundation of the student's arguments.
What strikes me most is that people are striving for this fence but neglect to look at the financial strain this will have on the economy. This fence will cost almost 50 billion dollars and i feel like that money could be used for better purposes. However much a disagree with something I strongly encourage everyone to voice their opinion on the mall because this is a public learning institute and this country prides itself on freedom of speech. This relates to our reading by the correlation of cheap labor and higher deportation rates. As our text shows us the American government has used Latino people as cheap labor until they were no longer needed. The Bracero program is an example of that. This lead to "Operation Wetback" and large deportation numbers. I agree with some of the immigration reform policies but a 2000 mile long fence is simply not practical.
-Devere Sanchez-
here is the link to the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bhxTLlB_Z6w

George Bush and the Fence

Throughout the Bush administration the issue of combating illegal immigration. He has always been an advocate for fencing about 2100 miles of the United States/Mexico border. Even though the United States was built on the notion of illegal immigration. People coming over and stealing land rights is what America stands for. Now with the help of George Bush it has the chance of becoming a felony.
In Walls and Mirrors it talked about programs such as the Bracero program and how temporary worker programs are necessary. Newer politics are similar today. This country wants the cheap labor without the permanent residents. The reason for this fence is to keep people out. The government has no way to pay for this other then through a rise of taxes. It seems that not a lot has changed over the decades in dealing with illegal immigration. Below is a link on the article that talks about the fence.
-Devere Sanchez-

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/10/26/border.fence/index.html

Hillary Clinton on Immigration Reform

Hillarly Clinton spoke on immigration reform and stated similar views than that Barack Obama. She highly stresses stronger border crossings and penalties for employers who exploit immigrants. In Fluid Borders the author disagrees with her on numerous different topics about her proposed immigration policies. First off the author talks about local programs would increase laws being followed. Clinton says that she is against making illegal immigration a felony. In addition to this she feels like a national program is needed to secure labor rights, even for illegals. The main topics she stresses are immigrants paying taxes and abiding by our laws. For this to happen more law enforcement in needed on our borders. More competent law enforcement who are not just looking for someone to degrade.
-Devere Sanchez-

http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/immigration/index.cfm?topic=march72006

Barack Obama on Immigration

The following comments are on a speech that Barack Obama gave on comprehensive immigration reform. He talks about how immigrants need to work hard in order for citizenship. He feels that, like his family, many families who immigrated to the United States in search of a better life must use that law as an advocate rather than an enemy. During several of our class discussions we have talked about education as being the best tool for limiting illegal immigration. Legal immigration is a great idea and Barack Obama and myself both agree with that.
In Fluid Borders the author talks about East Los Angeles is a stepping stone for illegal immigrants. Obama feels that if legal immigration were to be more common, American working conditions would be significantly better on numerous levels. Bedolla talked about employers exploiting immigrants because they have no one to complain to. Obama adresses background checks and guarenteed labor rights as a method to combat illegal immigration. This ties into most of our class discussions by examining what little rights immigrants have. He says that increased legal immigration will lower our threat of terrorists entering borders. This is a major factor in why a lot of people are against immigration from Mexico. It appears that he agrees with immigration regulations but in a far less cruel method than that of George Bush.
-Devere Sanchez-

http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060403-floor_statement_3/
Please feel free to visit this link for the full article