Republican
National Hispanic Assembly
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Editorial published on September 26, 2005 in the Connecticut Post.
IMMIGRATION – THE HISPANIC PRESENCEThis Op-Ed focuses on the first of a two-part theme: Immigration and how immigrants fulfill a huge business need in all sectors of the economy in Fairfield County. Throughout decades, immigrants have been central to our way of life. All ethnic/racial groups within our society can contribute to our collective betterment. It is important that their potential and contributions be recognized and allowed to flourish.Unfortunately, sometimes-increased economic and social problems are associated with immigration. There is a tragic tendency to make the immigrant culpable for these difficulties. This is especially true in relation to Hispanic immigrants. Currently throughout the nation there is a pattern of unrest created by those who do not value the contributions that immigrants have made in the building of this nation.The Hispanic Heritage Committee commits itself strongly on the side of justice and hopes to keep constantly before the people of Connecticut the moral principles, which should govern the course of action on immigration. Much criticism focuses on the immigrant as taking away jobs and depleting our resources. Amidst all this, little is said about the undocumented worker as the contributing factor of the business growth in this region.In the midst of so much tragedy in the United States, we gain from appreciating the contributions made by all sectors of our community regardless of their status. According to Stamford immigration attorney Laura Jasinsky, immigrant workers in Fairfield County are essential to our local economy, especially for smaller businesses. These business owners lament that without the immigrant worker, they cannot affordably find workers for the lesser attractive jobs, or fill jobs requiring the skilled manual labor no longer learned by Americans. Thanks to the immigrant worker, consumer prices remain stable, needed services are provided; businesses flourish and quality and productivity remain high. These business owners also observe that immigrant laborers work longer hours, are loyal, competent, responsible, have taxes withheld from their wages, and, due to their tenuous situation, do not take advantage of the social services available to them. In return, for what could be regarded as an ideal situation for our economy, immigrants, intrinsic to our prosperity, often suffer innumerable injustices by the same community that depends upon their contributions. Hispanics have not only moved into every part of the country but they also moved into the headlines of the nation’s media. The news alerts us to increasing controversies about immigrants driver’s licenses, seasonal workers, the crisis along our borders that breed violence, and the trafficking and smuggling of human beings in many instances causing death to young and old. Most notably, although numerous young immigrants are serving in the armed forces and many have lost their lives in Iraq and other conflicts, immigrant high school graduates are denied admission to our colleges and universities. Traditionally, education has been the key to a better life for immigrants. That is why this restriction, which denies educational opportunities to these students is so troubling. Representative Felipe Reinoso has been at the forefront of the struggle to pass legislation in Connecticut - The Dream Act - enabling young immigrant high school students’ access to colleges and universities. The proposed legislation, which passed the Higher Education Committee, Judicial and Appropriation, was defeated on the floor of the State House of Representatives denying these students with great academic achievements the opportunity to higher education. According to Representative Reinoso, the State college/university system lacks a policy regarding admission of Immigrant students. Those who are admitted to the state’s colleges or universities are required to pay out-of-state tuition. Ironically these are students who often cannot finance their education. Representative Reinoso cited statistics that by the year 2010 the purchasing power of Hispanics will exceed one trillion dollars. This coupled with the growth rate and the fact that Hispanics are the youngest population in the nation; the passport for a better life for all of us is contingent on an educated population regardless of status. Hispanics are sometimes depicted as a growing sub-culture of poverty threatening to overwhelm the nation’s prosperity. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. We believe quite the opposite, Hispanics are part of an American tradition of immigrants who each play a role in the economic, social and political history of this great country.
Hispanic Heritage Month |
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