I'm John Autry, a Progressive Democratic Candidate for Congress in NC-08. I have been following the national immigration debate with interest. Here's what I believe in regard to immigration. I believe we are a country founded on immigration. I am proud of this history and believe our diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a nation. I believe we must address the issue of illegal immigration by enacting just and fair comprehensive reform at the federal level, and I intend to work toward this goal as the representative from NC-08. This reform should include a way for undocumented immigrants who work hard, and obey our laws once they arrive, to stay here legally, and earn a path to citizenship if they so desire. Bringing people out of the shadows will improve our security, and help immigrants living here integrate into American society.
In practical terms, I fully support the DREAM act, which was unfortunately defeated several weeks ago. The DREAM Act would have provided immigrant children who pursue higher education or volunteer for military service with an opportunity to obtain legal status. Many immigrant children were brought to the US as small children, by no decision of their own, and know the US as their only home. The DREAM Act had bipartisan support, but anti-immigration, xenophobic politicians, (i.e. John Cornyn, R- TX) obstructed passage of this bill. These obstructionists prefer to do nothing, so that they can continue to inflame their base with rhetoric and capitalize politically, rather than find a common solution to the immigration issue. Shameful.
The SAVE Act, is an enforcement only bill with a Democrat, Heath Shuler as a primary sponsor. Congressman Shuler's allies on this bill include Tom Tancredo , and other anti-immigrant hardliners, including an endorsement by my primary opponent Larry Kissell. It includes proposals to militarize our borders, expands enforcement to private contractors (think Blackwater), and expands police power. I believe an enforcement only bill is the absolute wrong approach for Democrats to take; it will not solve the problem, will only promote divisiveness and inflict misery on many. Besides, it will not address the core issue!
David Sirota gets to the bottom of the immigration debate, making the connection between corporate desire to maintain a cheap source of workers with no power, and the corporate donations that drive lawmakers to avoid passing legislation that would support all workers. NC-08 is a district that has lost many jobs to bad trade policies, and it's been all too easy for people to scapegoat immigrants for the related problems. Good trade policies go hand in hand with solving the immigration policy; as Sirota correctly points out, bad policies have created millions more desperate immigrants arriving in the US. We must address the root problems by addressing trade policy, enforcing labor laws for all workers, and providing comprehensive reform for immigrants who are here. Only in this way will we increase our security and establish a nation where fairness, equity, and justice for all prevails.
You can learn more about my campaign at John Autry.
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