Just recently I explored the phenomenon of REMITTANCES, especially actual cash transfers, in terms of both the vital, necessary assistance these gifts bring to needy families still in countries of origin, as well as the now-structured mobilization and spin offs being implemented by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
In both instances, we saw how monies and other resources from immigrants, now settled, now turned “legal” citizens in developed countries, contribute to personal and national sustenance in under-developed countries of origin.
Today let’s peek into some welcome immigration developments in the United States.
“Welcome” to and for the tens of thousands of illegal “settlers” in America who never-the-less contribute, in many ways, to the democracy’s progress. (Then we’ll comment on how Guyanese are also organizing themselves to relate to the home-land).
OBAMA’S GOOD NEWS
I quote from reports coming out of the US: It must have come as a relief that the U.S. authorities will be flexing their muscles regarding the deportation of law-abiding illegal immigrants. After many decades of constant bad news about deportation of illegal Caribbean and other immigrants from the “Land of Many Opportunities”, President Barack Obama, a few months ago, announced that there would be a suspension of deportation proceedings against illegal but law-abiding immigrants.
In a major policy shift, announced in August 2011, the White House said it would instead focus federal resources on booting out convicted criminals and others who pose a threat to public safety or national security. Many are of the view that undocumented immigrants, who are law-abiding and working to make a better life for themselves and their families, should not be treated by law enforcement like convicted criminals.
Under the new policy, the Secretary of Homeland Security can provide relief, on a case-by-case basis, to persons who are in the country illegally but pose no threat to national security or to public safety. The decision would, through administrative action, help many intended beneficiaries of legislation that has been stalled in the U.S. Congress for more than a decade.
It is no surprise that Caribbean legislators greeted this change in policy with open arms, as many of them have been lobbying for many years now for systems and policies to be implemented that will ensure that immigrants are treated more humanely. In fact, some of them have expressed the view that this new policy represents an “important first step toward reform” of a “broken immigration system”.
U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who represents the sprawling 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, was quoted as saying; “As Americans, we have a moral responsibility to build an immigration system that protects families and children, and supports those individuals who want to contribute to our civil society.
The United States is a nation of immigrants who contribute enormously to the economy and add to the vibrancy of communities. The children of immigrants certainly help to shape the future of the U. S. nation, and will, undoubtedly, become professionals in their own right. And for this reason, this latest move by the U.S. authorities is considered an important first step which will hopefully raise the national discourse toward compassionate immigration reform.
That (above) is just a summary of a longer decision, which affects ALL undocumented persons in America. Guyanese involved have a chance to regularize their status for the mutual satisfaction and benefits of all.
I’ll leave the component on Guyanese Overseas Organisations for another issue. It is substantive a subject, so all I’ll indicate for now is that the Guyanese Diaspora has already spawned a significant and impressive body of organisations to channel resources to their Guyana homeland as well as to sustain cultural and spiritual linkages; From Professional Organisations and Alumni Associations to Political Support Groups, read all about them – NEXT TIME.
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