There's a lovely essay by President Obama on the "Dream Act" and the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty in Time Magazine. Funny how every American is descended from an immigrant family at some time in the past, but now want to slam the door on everyone else. Heart and mind disconnect, unfortunately.
Obama is such an optimist that he is still urging Congress to pass the The Dream Act. Considering the pressure the Republicans are under to save the Latino vote this election year, they might just listen to Obama this time. Or not (which is fine because he will be reelected more easily). But still, a lovely essay.
. . . There is still time for Congress to pass the DREAM Act this year, because deserving young people should be able to plan their lives in more than two-year increments. And we still need to pass comprehensive immigration reform that addresses our 21st century economic and security needs. Reform that gives our farmers and ranchers certainty about the workers that they’ll have. Reform that gives our science and technology sectors certainty that the young people who come here to earn their PhDs won’t be forced to leave and start new businesses in other countries. Reform that continues to improve our border security, and lives up to our heritage as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.
. . . I believe that, eventually, enough Republicans in Congress will come around to that view as well because it is the right thing to do for our economy — something CEOs throughout the country agree with — and it is the right thing to do for our national security. Above all, it is the right thing to do, period.
We didn’t raise the Statue of Liberty with its back to the world. We raised it with its light to the world. What makes us American is not a question of what we look like or what our names are. What makes us American is our shared belief in the enduring promise of this country – and our shared responsibility to leave it more generous and more hopeful than we found it.
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