Spring Break
Immigration too quiet an issue
James White
Issue date: 10/29/04 Section: Commentary
In the frenzied campaign atmosphere of the 2004 elections, we've heard both President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry expound ad nauseam on the topics of national security, healthcare and the economy. We've discussed the candidates' families, motorboats and college careers. Yet, on the topic of immigration, a usual hot campaign issue, the silence has been deafening. Part of why immigration is typically such a big deal is that Latinos are the single fastest growing segment of the population. While they have not yet made a tremendous difference in national politics, according to NPR, over seven million Latinos are expected to vote in the 2004 elections - more than ever before. It's clear the Hispanic vote will influence future elections to a greater and greater degree and both parties are eager to bring over as many new voters as possible. And immigration continues to be one of the most important issues to Latinos, along with discrimination and education.
Still, immigration has been a dead issue this year. Part of the problem is that Bush is embarrassed by his earlier attempts at immigration reform. Bush's plan, proposed last January, offers millions of illegal immigrants - mostly Mexican - the opportunity to work legally through a "guest worker" system. Bush's plan stops short, however, of allowing illegal immigrants to receive citizenship - a component of Kerry's rarely heard plan. As a guest worker, most immigrants would eventually be expected to go home and they would have no guarantee of a residency permit. Unfortunately for Bush, his plan has drawn fire on both sides of the aisle. According to statistics from the Center for Immigration Studies, Bush's immigration plan has not impacted the majority of Latino voters, who are skeptical of Bush's insistence that he does not favor granting citizenship to illegal immigrants. Bush's core supporters' reaction to his policy has also been lukewarm at best. Many see his plan as pandering to a new demographic and others are resentful of illegal immigrants, or fear losing their jobs to workers willing to accept lower pay and more hazardous working conditions.
Still, immigration has been a dead issue this year. Part of the problem is that Bush is embarrassed by his earlier attempts at immigration reform. Bush's plan, proposed last January, offers millions of illegal immigrants - mostly Mexican - the opportunity to work legally through a "guest worker" system. Bush's plan stops short, however, of allowing illegal immigrants to receive citizenship - a component of Kerry's rarely heard plan. As a guest worker, most immigrants would eventually be expected to go home and they would have no guarantee of a residency permit. Unfortunately for Bush, his plan has drawn fire on both sides of the aisle. According to statistics from the Center for Immigration Studies, Bush's immigration plan has not impacted the majority of Latino voters, who are skeptical of Bush's insistence that he does not favor granting citizenship to illegal immigrants. Bush's core supporters' reaction to his policy has also been lukewarm at best. Many see his plan as pandering to a new demographic and others are resentful of illegal immigrants, or fear losing their jobs to workers willing to accept lower pay and more hazardous working conditions.