People take the oath of U.S. citizenship: While the U.S. is much
criticized
for the way of its immigration laws are written and enforced,
the truth is
that compared to the nations of Latin America, the United States
has the
most benevolent system of all, and it is about to become even
more so.
'Benevolent' U.S.
Migration Reforms Should Shame Nations of Latin America (Diario
Co Latino, El Salvador)
"It is
curious that among the countries of Latin America, the people and presidents of
our respective countries speak of brotherhood and Latin American integration, and
yet their migration laws contradict the stated good intentions of their rulers.
... The irony is that while Latin American countries call for U.S. migration
laws to be more benign and compassionate toward our fellow citizens, they fail to
acknowledge that their own treatment of their Latin American brothers is a far
cry from the benefits granted by the government of the United States."
President Obama with Monsignor Jose Escobar, right, and El Salvador President Mauricio Funes, left, during a tour of the National Cathedral in San Salvador, March 22, 2011. In the background is a portrait of the late Archbishop Oscar Romero.
It is worth taking a moment to congratulate and thank the
government of the United States, led by its president, Mr. Barack Obama, for
its sympathetic gesture.
It will be a tremendous relief for the over 11 million
Latin Americans who live illegally in that great nation to the north. It is notable
that the United States has long been providing opportunities for Hispanics
wanting to improve their lot, and who reach the territory of that great nation.
While they have had to overcome great difficulties, many Latin American brothers
succeed in becoming useful citizens, and with great sacrifice have been able to
progress and graduate from universities in the United States. Still others have
engaged in productive activity to become great businesspeople, helping drive the
economic development of that great nation.
Such is the case with our fellow Salvadorans, who are
scattered across much of the territory of the American Union, and after
Mexicans, constitute one of the largest groups [of Latinos in America].
Posted By
Worldmeets.US
The fact is that the benevolent attitude of the U.S. government
will greatly benefit a large number of our Salvadoran brothers, and will allow
many Salvadoran families to avoid the incredible human pain of family disintegration
and remain together.
It is curious that among the countries of Latin America, the
people and presidents of our respective countries speak of brotherhood and
Latin American integration, and yet the migration laws contradict the stated good
intentions of their rulers. These laws show no sense of brotherhood and compassion
toward people who, in one way or another, live on the margins of the law. And
that includes many people who have studied and graduated from Latin America universities.
These migration laws don't even allow them to make use of their degrees. Such
is the case in Mexico, where the law states that if a person applies for a job,
residency can be granted provided the applicant doesn't move to Mexico. And if a
person remains on Mexican territory for longer than stipulated, he must immediately
leave the country.
Other nations in the region tend to do the same. The
irony is that while Latin American countries call for U.S. migration laws to be
more benign and compassionate toward our fellow citizens, they fail to acknowledge
that their own treatment of their Latin American brothers is a far cry from the
benefits granted by the government of the United States.
In conclusion, I am pleased that many Salvadorans and other
of our Latin American brothers will have their migration status legalized, and
I congratulate the government of the United States of America for its noble and
humane gesture. Likewise, I suggest that migration reform also take account of those
who have lawfully followed U.S. immigration procedures and that the
corresponding waiting times for them be shortened.
