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I would never have imagined as a young rascal from Kansas, prone to the vagaries of the streets, that I would be privy to a conversation with a candidate for President of the United States of América, especially on such a controversial issue as immigration. Let me be clear. I was just allowed to listen in on the conversation, not to talk or dialogue.
I had to crawl out of the left bank of Radical River to convince myself that this was a good idea. After you have read Armando Navarro’s “La Raza Unida Party: A Chicano Challenge to the U.S. Two-Party Dictatorship,” it seems pointless to engage in such imprudence. On the other hand, I am an avid fan of dialogue as a method in creating social change. I managed to yank myself onto the other side of the river without drowning in ambiguity or apparent contradiction. After all, I had just been given press credentials to attend the Democratic National Convention (DNC), something that will go down in my personal annuals.
It appears that Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees have become the new terrorists. The continued raids against immigrants have reached disproportionate levels. Broken families are left unattended and detention centers housing immigrants arrested during ICE raids have increased. América’s Latino leaders are angry about this inhumane treatment.
Eliseo Medina from the SEIU, union organizer and disciple of César E. Chávez, who tells the story of being sent to Chicago during the lettuce and grape boycotts with a couple of dollars in his pocket, opened up the conversation by thanking the 200 national leaders for taking time out to participate in an historic event. The Obama camp picked a courageous leader to guide the conversation. Medina has dedicated his life to working class struggles ever since he was introduced to César E. Chávez at least four decades ago. He graciously explained the process. Like his mentor, he is an avid supporter of the Democratic Party.
The cynical side of me believes that part of the process was probably somewhat staged, orchestrated by masterminds whose intentions lean towards the Democratic Party and how it can sidestep those controversial issues that cost votes, yet maintain integrity. Critical questions from some of América’s foremost pro immigrant leaders were nonchalantly tossed at the oval office candidate. The precedent that we are on the cusp of a New América, an América where the common voice would be heard and listened to, was set.
Barack Obama introduced himself and mentioned that he was traveling in a motorcade. He thanked his audience and began to speak about his future presidency and his plan to develop comprehensive immigration reform. His travels had recently taken him to national conferences at NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected Officials), LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and following the conversation to NCLR (National Council of La Raza) held in San Diego where he had been invited to speak to Latinos regarding immigration.
His opening statements were typical slogans and rhetorical statements that many politicians would use to ensure their constituents, stragglers, independents and wanabees about his sincerity. He stated that “change is needed;” and that the time had arrived to “stand up for a government that has not been standing up for you.” He spoke of the power inherent in the “Hispanic community and that its time had come.” As he stated, “I know how powerful you can be. The time has come to seize your opportunity.”
When asked if he would use his presidential privilege to end the raids within the first 100 days of his tenure, he was not ambivalent. Barack stated that Immigration Customs Enforcement ICE “was terrorizing communities.” He further stated that “going after corporations that violate due process and erode civil liberties was his priority,” and asked, “How could someone be so insensitive to deport or jail a nursing mother” who is in the process of bonding with her child?
Obama’s second strategy is to go after the unscrupulous employers. Employer sanctions are not a novel idea. In 1986, IRCA legislation provisions had been put into place to punish employers. The success rate apparently hasn’t been too high. Going after powerful mega corporations with equally big bank rolls is a creative idea; but equally challenging as people with hefty bank accounts are confronted. You can bet that Obama will have to jump over many obstacles to accomplish this. One idea might be to melt down ICE that has destroyed families and reroute the funds towards a new kind of monitoring group aimed at corporations that continue to exploit workers without recourse.
He wants tighter border security. This is one of those issues both parties have to include to appease all of its constituents. Obama promises pathways to citizenship for immigrants who meet particular specifications that will be included in comprehensive immigration law. Immigrant participation in the democratic process is on the top of his list of priorities. He touted himself as a fighter. As he stated, “I did not back off the immigrant debates. I took some heat. I did not budge like Senator McCain has. He has only given “lip service,” to this issue.
Whether or not the wall will be torn down was not asked, although I am sure that many of the pseudo participants that were only allowed to listen would have loved to ask, especially those on border towns who have observed victimization take place. I am not sure that this question is the litmus test for Obama passing being perceived as pro immigration; but asking him soon might avoid embarrassment.
Dr. Ramón Del Castillo is an Independent Journalist.
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