Can the Senate achieve immigration reform?

The inclusion of language that would provide a route to legalization in the Senate budget plan opens another chapter, this time during the presidency of Democrat Joe Biden, of the marathon hurdles that has been and is the pursuit of an immigration reform that could normalize millions.

It seems that everything has come together, from the permanent proimmigrant discourse, the decisions to counteract the most draconian anti-immigrant decisions of the previous administration, to the political opportunity of the moment, one of the most propitious for, finally, to achieve something historic.

Previously, Republicans refused to consider legalization projects, arguing a lack of security at the border and now they are using immigrants as scapegoats, blaming them for the spread of Covid 19. With a Democratic caucus holding a fragile majority where moderate senators fear the immigration issue one year before the midterm elections, the Democratic leadership is betting on the budget conciliation process as the mechanism to try to advance a reform that responds to the Democratic promises of past decades that have never materialized.

This budget reconciliation is now presented as one of the last resources to assume joint responsibility in the defense of millions of immigrants who have given everything to this country and who have had their hopes dashed before. And there are many hopes.

But from saying to fact there is a long way. And although it is based on the premise that the idea is to try to regularize the largest number of undocumented people, particularly Dreamers, TPS beneficiaries, agricultural workers and certain essential workers, the reality is that it has not been indicated who the beneficiaries are, nor on the basis of which mechanisms regularization would be achieved.

Furthermore, it is the Senate Parliamentarian who will decide whether or not immigration language can be part of budget reconciliation. In other words, to include legalization language is to have rolled a ball to see how far it goes.

For years they have been able, and with good reason, to blame a Republican Party controlled by the most xenophobic and racist wing that only uses the issue to stoke its most recalcitrant base. But it is also true that when the Democrats have controlled both Congress and the White House, they have missed several opportunities, either because of internal divisions or because other issues have been the “priority.”

Well, this is precisely a time of migration priorities that cannot be left adrift again. It would be cruel, inhuman and unfair. And nobody wants a disappointed nation.

The only constant in this story has been the tenacity of an immigrant community that continues to search for a way to support their families, even if the promises of politicians turn to salt and water. It is their example, specifically, that brings the American concept of the nation of immigrants to life.

We are again faced with another possibility of action. The next few weeks and months will let us know if there is progress in the migratory marathon or if it is once again a false start. (America’s Voice)