Are they “illegal aliens” or “undocumented noncitizens”?Are representatives of certain anti-immigrant groups credible media sources or racist hate mongers not to be quoted by credible print and electronic media?What is the role of responsible journalism in the public debate about our badly broken immigration system?
These are some of the questions that New York Times National Immigration Correspondent Julia Preston, Cleveland Plain Dealer Reporter Bob Smith, and I debated Tuesday night at a public forum sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalism.The forum took place at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio and was moderated by Veronica Dahlberg, Executive Director of the Hispanas Organizadas de Lake y Ashtabula (HOLA).
To be sure, the discussion was spirited.Julia took the position that as a force in the national immigration debate certain anti-immigrant restrictionist groups and their surrogates are part of the story and, therefore, their positions merit attention.I, on the other hand, argued that the media has a duty to call out such groups—one of which has been designated a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center—for their nefarious connections to white supremacists.In my opinion, such ties undercut their credibility.Julia’s counter point was that responsible journalists must present all facets of the debate to the public.
We also disagreed on the use of the phrase “illegal alien” as a descriptive in news stories.Julia argued that the term is appropriate since it describes a class of noncitizens whose unlawful immigration status subjects them to the harsh consequences of the current immigration system, which includes imprisonment and removal from theU.S.I counteredby pointing out that the phrase is simply wrong—presence in the U.S. without proper immigration status is not, in the vast majority of cases, a crime—and use of the phrase “illegal alien” is the product of a public debate which as been hijacked by anti-immigrant extremists bent on dehumanizing foreign nationals.
Interestingly, Julia’s front page story about the layoff of 1,800 undocumented workers at the American Apparel clothing company had just been posted on the New York Times’ website and she was able to give the audience a synopsis.http://tinyurl.com/ye2xvfy. As has been widely reported, 1,800 workers at the company face imminent firing as the result of an “immigration crackdown” by ICE.Ironically, as the Times points out in today’s editorial Broken in U.S.A., “Unlike companies that routinely seek out illegal immigrants (the better to exploit them), American Apparel pays $10 to $12 an hour, well above the minimum wage and industry standards, plus health benefits.It hires locally, cultivates a trained work force, and is seen as a valued corporate citizen in Los Angeles.” Times calls the enforcement action “ludicrous”. http://tinyurl.com/ycvt9om
The panel discussion lasted for more than 2 hours and included a wide range of questions from a very engaged audience. Julia, Bob, Veronica, and I then enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Anatolia Cafe, a fabulous local Turkish restaurant. http://www.anatoliacafe.com/.
Of course, I chose the culinary venue hoping that Julia would report that there is more to Cleveland cuisine than Kielbasa and Pirogue.
Sure, quote it anywhere you’d like.
We are on the verge of a major breakthrough with the illegal immigration deterrent program E-Verify. Washington has extended E-Verify to the end of October, but that is not enough for the 10 million plus jobless American workers. The stamp of approval of E-Verify has been recognized by the hundreds of thousands, or perchance millions of citizens and legal employees whose innumerable numbers have been disenfranchised by illegal alien labor. An apparel firm was raided by ICE and 1800 workers who are illegal have been fired, unless they can be positively accepted as having the right legal status? Unbelievable! Now without further adieu, we must lambaste the politicians until they make E-Verify permanent? It should be placed on the peak list of interior enforcement tools, and everybody who gets a pay check should be verified as part of the legal workforce.
A huge number of suspected open border players, thought the courts would kill it as unconstitutional, or at least delay it? An amendment was presented by Sen. David Vitter that prevents any further delays in the implementation of the Social Security Administration’s No-Match-letter program. An amendment was also offered by Sen. Jeff Sessions that requires a permanent re-authorization of the application. The usual culprits tried to table the Sen. Sessions E-Verify amendment, but the motion failed and eventually passed. We have dubious decision makers in DC, who are not looking-out for the man/women in the street? This became very blatantly obvious in the stimulus bill, when no language omitted illegal workers from gaining at least 300.000 jobs in construction and other industries. The 247 G law is another successful police program, to identify illegal immigrants on the streets of our communities and highways. This law could be on the chopping block, as well as the ICE raids on pariah businesses.
Both California and Nevada's lawmakers have a high percentage of illegal alien populace, so they are indebted not to enforce immigration laws. We as voters must transfer our frustration and anger to those who represent us at 202-224-3121. A continuous barrage of irate voters has upset the politician’s applecart in their offices, demanding change? You will only discover the true patriotic American politicians by going to and examining their immigration grades at NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIAL WATCH & for OVERPOPULATION statistics CAPSWEB. If we hesitate about these issues, all is lost, and the anti-sovereignty groups will take away our jobs, freedoms. If you really want to view the absolute appalling state our roads, bridges, dams and drinking water structure, watch "The Crumbling of America." The History channel has been illuminating the complete and utter indifference, while we financially support the world, wars and illegal immigrants.