Seeking an immigration fix

Each wave of American immigration has brought needed skills, labor, energy and vitality to America. Immigrants historically have contributed significantly to the economy. They have helped build infrastructure and have also become tax-paying teachers, researchers, health care providers and civic leaders. As immigrants invest their futures in Oklahoma and throughout America, they need a legitimate and reasonable path to citizenship.

Recently President Trump stipulated that any DACA authorizing legislation must be predicated on construction of the “wall.” In December, Sen. James Lankford reported a new piece of legislation, the SECURE ACT introduced by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. An Oklahoma City attorney reported the bill

includes a 10-year path to citizenship for Dreamers.

The bill provides authorization for additional border control and immigration personnel; a means of reimbursing state and local prosecutors for federally initiated criminal immigration cases; and increased immigration capacity detention. It also revises: apprehension and detention of aliens; non-immigrant admission; parole authority; sanctuary jurisdictions; unaccompanied alien children; human smuggling and trafficking; drug trafficking and many other issues.

Reasonable immigration requirements, border security and paths to citizenship require important public policy decisions. Each major policy decision must temper our national intentions with proposed actions and anticipated outcomes – offering adequate protection and keeping us from becoming a nation of isolationists and xenophobes, while still making a place for those wanting to work toward a better life and join us as citizens in America’s representative democracy.

Jan New, Oklahoma City