Given that Twitter will be very busy tonight when Jorge Ramos chats immigration with Mamiverse, Latino Rebels, and iHispano, I am feeling a bit selfish right now. I know many people have submitted some great questions for Ramos, but there is a part of me that just wants Ramos to answer the following 10 questions listed below, especially after what President Obama had to say at last night’s State of the Union.
In case you missed it, this is what the President said about immigration reform:
Our economy is stronger when we harness the talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants. And right now, leaders from the business, labor, law enforcement, and faith communities all agree that the time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Real reform means strong border security, and we can build on the progress my Administration has already made – putting more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history, and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years.
Real reform means establishing a responsible pathway to earned citizenship – a path that includes passing a background check, paying taxes and a meaningful penalty, learning English, and going to the back of the line behind the folks trying to come here legally.
And real reform means fixing the legal immigration system to cut waiting periods, reduce bureaucracy, and attract the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy.
In other words, we know what needs to be done. As we speak, bipartisan groups in both chambers are working diligently to draft a bill, and I applaud their efforts. Now let’s get this done. Send me a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the next few months, and I will sign it right away.
And these are the questions I would ask Ramos tonight:
- Do you think President Obama will break his immigration promise again?
- Do you think that President Obama hears about the stories of deportations and the separation of families? How do you think he feels?
- What do you think of the “learning English” provision in the new reform plan? Is learning English a requisite for “American” identity?
- What is a “meaningful penalty” for someone who wants to become a U.S. citizen?
- Is President Obama aware that undocumented individuals contribute to our tax system? What do you think of his taxes line?
- What are your thoughts about those undocumented who have to go to the “back of the line?”
- Has our immigration policy gotten too militarized and too enforcement-heavy? What are the consequences of such a policy?
- Why have border crossings reached a 40-year-low? What are the biggest reasons?
- Do you think the anti-immigrant rhetoric has improved or has it gotten worse?
- Will a new immigration reform bill provide a positive solution or will it cause even more problems?
I would think that Ramos will have a lot to say tonight, even in the world of 140 characters. Yes, immigration is complex, and it is still a very important topic. I look forward to Ramos’ insights.
I hope you can join us on Twitter tonight.
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Julio (Julito) Ricardo Varela (@julito77 on Twitter) founded LatinoRebels.com (part of Latino Rebels, LLC) in May, 2011 and proceeded to open it up to about 20 like-minded Rebeldes. His personal blog, juliorvarela.com, has been active since 2008 and is widely read in Puerto Rico and beyond. He is also a weekly contributor to NBC Latino. Recently, Julito represented the Rebeldes on CBS’ Face the Nation, NPR, and The New York Times.
