Spring Break
Immigration may be key issue in N.C.
By: Will Robinson
Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: News
Last update: 9/16/08 at 6:29 AM EST
Last update: 9/16/08 at 6:29 AM EST
They are the fastest-growing minority group in the United States. They comprise more than 15 percent of the total population. They will be one of the country's most powerful voting blocs for election seasons to come.
But in this year's presidential election, neither John McCain nor Barack Obama has taken a strong stand on an issue that is of interest to nearly all of the 45.5 million Hispanics in the United States.
"Given that you have two candidates that are more alike than they are different on immigration, the broader issue is whether immigration is going to make much of a difference in the election," said Noah Pickus, associate research professor of public policy studies and Nannerl O. Keohane director of the Kenan Institute for Ethics.
In North Carolina-where, according to estimates from a 2005 Pew Hispanic Center research report for 2002-2004, 300,000 undocumented immigrants make up about half of the state's foreign-born population-illegal immigration is an issue that is not taken lightly. Both candidates for governor have expressed their opposition to allowing illegal immigrants to enroll in community colleges.
Hispanics from immigrant backgrounds said they were struggling to sort through the political rhetoric to decide which presidential candidate offered the best stance on immigration policy.
Searching for a National Solution
North Carolina's response to illegal immigrants may have been incited by the federal government's failure to address the problem.
Congress' inaction has shifted the burden of reform from the national level to state and city governments, Pickus said.
"It's not local communities who decide who immigrates, it's a border issue," said sophomore Allie Hayes, president of the Scholars' Latino Initiative at Duke.
Hayes, among others, noted the need for a reform policy that addresses the challenge on all fronts.
McCain and Obama both support "comprehensive immigration reform"-including greater enforcement, guest worker programs and a legalization process for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.
But in this year's presidential election, neither John McCain nor Barack Obama has taken a strong stand on an issue that is of interest to nearly all of the 45.5 million Hispanics in the United States.
"Given that you have two candidates that are more alike than they are different on immigration, the broader issue is whether immigration is going to make much of a difference in the election," said Noah Pickus, associate research professor of public policy studies and Nannerl O. Keohane director of the Kenan Institute for Ethics.
In North Carolina-where, according to estimates from a 2005 Pew Hispanic Center research report for 2002-2004, 300,000 undocumented immigrants make up about half of the state's foreign-born population-illegal immigration is an issue that is not taken lightly. Both candidates for governor have expressed their opposition to allowing illegal immigrants to enroll in community colleges.
Hispanics from immigrant backgrounds said they were struggling to sort through the political rhetoric to decide which presidential candidate offered the best stance on immigration policy.
Searching for a National Solution
North Carolina's response to illegal immigrants may have been incited by the federal government's failure to address the problem.
Congress' inaction has shifted the burden of reform from the national level to state and city governments, Pickus said.
"It's not local communities who decide who immigrates, it's a border issue," said sophomore Allie Hayes, president of the Scholars' Latino Initiative at Duke.
Hayes, among others, noted the need for a reform policy that addresses the challenge on all fronts.
McCain and Obama both support "comprehensive immigration reform"-including greater enforcement, guest worker programs and a legalization process for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
AmericanPieHole
posted 9/16/08 @ 10:09 AM EST
This criminal migration by South Americans is compromising our laws at all levels and yes, they are criminals. The underground which supports this group is wide and deep and is being overlooked by our government that is suppose to be protecting us. (Continued…)
Bad Bob
posted 9/16/08 @ 1:21 PM EST
Illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, contributes to overcrowded
classrooms and failing schools, subjects our hospitals to fiscal hardship
and legal residents to substandard quality of care, and destroys our
neighborhoods and diminishes our overall quality of life. (Continued…)
GermanImmigrant
posted 9/16/08 @ 3:36 PM EST
First, illegal immigrants are not criminals, period.
It's illegal to run a stop sign or a red light, but that also does not make you a criminal. Get your facts straight before you rant here. (Continued…)
Melissa Bailey
posted 9/16/08 @ 6:05 PM EST
Since when does our culture consider law over humanity?
Since when do we become more or less human based solely upon the country of our birth and/or legal status?
Since when can a country full of people demand the incarceration and deportation of men, women and children, all the while EATING ALL foods harvested by those same illegal immigrants?
If you are so intent upon their incarceration and deportation, go on a hunger strike because every time you eat - you contribute to the problem. (Continued…)
JMT
posted 9/30/08 @ 12:16 PM EST
GermanImmigrant, did you even read what you typed before publishing it? You used the word ILLEGAL to describe those that are NOT in the country LEGALLY. (Continued…)
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