Most of you know that I was born on the Caribbean island called Trinidad; as such, the issue of immigration is near and dear to me. Most of you also know that my core belief is that most individuals born in the USA are xenophobic, and that’s why the issue is so volatile. I don’t make this claim lightly. I have been dealing with this issue for over thirty years. With all this as a backdrop, let me say that it was refreshing to hear Brooklyn congressman Ed Towns (10th) call for a national commission to deal with the issue of immigration. Towns want to empower a commission to thoroughly study the issue and to come up with recommendations for resolving it, once and for all.

The congressman believes that the immigration issue is too complicated for the current legislature at this time, especially since many divergent interests have crowded the field and captured the debate. He believes that a commission should be staffed with experts from various areas of human endeavor, all intent on seeking binding solutions. He suggests economists, legal scholars, academics, diplomats, politicians, and experts in the areas of health, customs, immigration, national security, the military and the like. He would like to impanel this commission as early as yesterday, since he believes that there is urgency to this: given the current state of the economy, and given perpetual changes in world markets.

Towns said that it is obvious this Congress is at an impasse. He said that this issue (and all the ancillary issues that relate) transcends party lines. He still thinks however that Republicans should carry most of the blame for the failure to comprehensively overhaul the system, especially since they have been the point-guards on this since President Bush came into office in 2001. Still he refuses to place all the blame on the shoulders of only Republican members of Congress, stating that some democrats were indulging in demagoguery once this issue hit the floor.

Showing a broad understanding of a wide range of immigration related issues, Towns –chairman of the sub committee on Management and Procurements; also a member on the Energy and Commerce standing committee- said that one undocumented farm worker in California directly and indirectly affects three or four jobs that are inextricably related to his/her illegal employment. He said that drivers, loaders, clerks, checkers, storage workers and the like, will be affected (amongst others) if this whole immigration situation isn’t handled correctly. He also said that there would be a negative ripple effect on the overall US economy, if all undocumented workers were to be rounded up in some type of mass deportation effort; he also questions the feasibility and viability of such an initiative. He said that solving this issue calls for a mixture of common-sense and compassion; with a healthy discernment of our historic ideals, heritage, precedents and morality.

The congressman believes that national security must be the premium. He says that it’s the responsibility of government in any sovereign nation, to secure and control its borders; especially in a post 9-11 world. He also stated that there are humane dimensions to the issue that cannot be ignored. The pressures on people to risk their lives -when coming over our borders illegally- must be addressed in our foreign policy initiatives with the countries from which most undocumented workers flee.

He is against a blanket amnesty for undocumented aliens, but says that some consideration must be given whereby those who have lived here for a long time; who have worked hard and contributed positively to our economic development; those who have obeyed our laws and respected our customs, should be placed at the back of the long migrant waiting line for legalization. He thinks they should pay a fine and be put on track for the regularization of their status: it’s the humane thing to do. He said that another option is for some type of temporary guest-worker status for people who are now in this limbo; however they must be screened thoroughly and not be lawbreakers and/or violent criminals.

He thinks that all these factors should be considered beyond legally going after those who encourage, condone and exploit the undocumented aliens -in their homes and businesses. He further added that those who benefit from all this should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. The congressman said that he is ready to participate in the debate on this issue, and is willing to lead in the seeking of a permanent solution. He is considering the creation of an immigration mini-panel for his district and wants to hear from his constituents on this issue. Calls can be made to his office (1-718-855-8018).

Stay tuned-in folks.

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