Daniel TilsonNow is the time for Florida to build momentum toward further state-level immigration reform. The 2014 legislative victory granting in-state tuition rates to undocumented college students has put us on the right path…forward.
What we can’t afford to do now is settle for anything less than creating full-steam-ahead support for taking the next steps.
Republican leaders in the U.S. House are locked into a ruthlessly partisan political strategy, unfairly but effectively jamming the gears of government machinery that needs to be operating a better immigration system. So let’s take it upon ourselves, Florida, to succeed where Congress keeps failing.
Capitol Hill wrangling over immigration does remain in full swing, but it has nothing to do with reform. It’s a tired rerun of the GOP playing the “throw a wrench in the works” role, fighting over details of an emergency plan for coping with tens of thousands of Central America children crossing America’s southwest border.
Ignoring the core issues and diverting attention from their lack of alternative, credible immigration reform proposals, conservative Republicans are pandering for votes and donations from anti-immigrant elements. Fox News and the rest of the right-wing media universe are playing their predictable role too, furiously fanning flames of intolerance and irrationality that threaten sensible immigration reform.
But here in Florida, we have to be fireproof. We must avoid falling into the trap of being distracted from our journey toward enacting fair immigration policies. We all share deep concern about securing our borders and dealing with children fleeing danger in their poor and violent countries. But we have to push ahead with rational reforms in our state.
Polling shows that most Floridians (67% most recently) support comprehensive immigration reform, combining more border security with a pathway to citizenship. Then there’s the strong support of leading Florida Republican U.S. Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Add there’s strong support from religious leaders, faith-based groups, education groups, and the state’s two leading business advocacy organizations, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida.
Let’s face it, there’s always going to be a minority of people — thankfully a steadily shrinking minority — who are anti-immigrant. What we in the growing majority need to do is concentrate on marginalizing them. Even if you’re a conservative in a heavily Republican district, let your elected officials know you want more state-level immigration reform.
We can do this. We can succeed where Congress is failing. Hey, New York is already out front with a landmark piece of immigration reform legislation under consideration. It would grant certain undocumented immigrants state citizenship, and a number of essential new rights.
OK, Florida isn’t New York. But we’re equally enriched by and dependent on our enormous, diverse immigrant population. We ought to discuss a comprehensive plan for Florida too.
Meanwhile, let’s take our next incremental step forward. Let’s agree that in 2015, we’re going to get a law passed allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for and receive driver’s licenses. Imagine being a worker or college student, unable to drive. That makes no sense. Legislation righting this wrong passed in 2013, but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott.
One way or another, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again. Congress may remain gridlocked, but Florida doesn’t have to.
Daniel Tilson has a Boca Raton-based communications firm called Full Cup Media, specializing in online video and written content for non-profits, political candidates and organizations, and small businesses. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
