Broaden The Immigration Debate

Date: 01-July-07
From: News Center Publications
Subject: July Caribbean Memo

Dear Friends:

Take a look at the U.S. Senate vote on immigration in late June. It was fairly one sided.

There was plenty said by Democrats and Republicans. According to the Associated Press, the measure was the product of a liberal-to-conservative alliance led by [Sen. Edward M. ] Kennedy, D-Mass., and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., intended to withstand challanges from left and right.

But it failed and probably will not be considered again until after the 2008 presidential election.

So what was missing?

It may be because the debate didn't go deep enough. That means they didn't broaden the discussion to include what countries are doing to improve conditions at home for their own people to cut down on the number of immigrants coming to our country.

Why would we say such a thing?

Here is one reason. Mexico's President Felipe Calderon gave an opinion about the U.S. vote. The Senators failed, however, to include his country and others into what was being considered.

U.S. lawmakers could have asked Calderon and others a simple question.

"What are you doing to help your people in your own country?"

Apparently not enough. Many risk life and limb to make the border crossing. Too many bodies end up floating in the Rio Grande.

Mexico's president called the U. S. Senate vote a "grave error."

The action, he said, would cut off legal immigration, permit continued unlawful immigration and human rights violations and decrease security on both sides of the border.

Maybe he made the bold statement because he knew--lawmakers and news reporters--aren't prepared or interested enough to ask him hard questions.

Instead, he attempted to manipulate our system for his country's advantage.

Our five novels attempt prepare anyone interested in knowing more about the Caribbean and Latin America. In our view, U.S. senators could have benefited by reading one or more of them.

Maybe we don't have all the answers, but at least we get started. There's no need to be
caught short in any debate. They can be viewed on the WebSite:natcarnes.com. In Puerto Rico, the novel `San Juan' is on sale at the Ritz Carlton Hotel bookshop in San Juan.

Also take a look at our BLOG SITE [Caribbean Memo-2007] for other memos you may have missed this year. And there is more here: nmcarnes.blogspot.com.

With each purchase, let us know and we'll send free of charge an e-book version. They can be read on any hand-held device with e-mail capability.

Remember, we are interested in your comments, pro and con. In other words, that's how we learn.

And please let us know if you want your name taken off the Caribbean Memo list.

The Editors