Pastora Munroe, one off a group of Black and Latino activists

watching President Obama take the oath of office for a second

term in Gardena, California, Jan. 21. Should Latino voters strike

while the iron is hot, and push hard for migration reform now?

Influence-Flush U.S. Latinos Must 'Exploit Unprecedented Moment' (El Universal, Mexico)

"The 2012 Latino vote is a juncture of unprecedented importance that could lose its novelty on the public agenda. ... Another unexpected event may occur that quickly causes U.S. people to close off the possibility of an 'amnesty' for illegal immigrants. The best course would be to exploit the current situation. ... With these new favorable winds, it's time for Hispanic civic organizations and nationals in general, to come out of the shadows."

EDITORIAL

Translated By Miguel Gutierrez

January 22, 2013

Mexico - El Universal - Original Article (Spanish)

When President of the United States Barack Hussein Obama won re-election this past November 6, he said in his victory speech: "Tonight you voted for action ... to meet the challenges we can only solve together - reducing our deficit, reforming out tax code, fixing our immigration system, freeing ourselves from foreign oil. We’ve got more work to do."

Two months have passed and the Congress of the United States is embroiled in talks over the budget, taxes, and more recently gun control, but there's no sign yet of the migration issue. It is too early to predict another four years of inaction on the subject. Still, Mexico and its citizens living in the United States cannot afford to let the issue pass for another time. The 2012 Latino vote is a juncture of unprecedented importance that could lose its novelty on the public agenda.

It is no exaggeration to say that to a great extent, the president owes his reelection to the Hispanic vote. He was favored by over 70 percent. That's a high figure considering that Obama not only failed to meet his promise of immigration reform in his first year in office, but he also broke the record for deportations.

After the elections, even members of the traditionally anti-immigrant GOP had to acknowledge that reform would indeed be discussed. Perceptions have changed among the general public. An ABC News/Washington Post survey from last November found that 57 percent of Americans support a way to regularize the undocumented.

Posted By Worldmeets.US

This is perhaps the first time in the 12 years since the tragic events of September 11 that noises favorable to its neighboring country [Mexico] have been heard. The example of 9/11, nevertheless, should encourage the reformers to push a legislative proposal quickly. Another unexpected event may occur that quickly causes U.S. people to close off the possibility of an "amnesty" for illegal immigrants. The best course would be to exploit the current situation.