Immigration and Economics Intetwine to become biggest Issue in Texas

In an article in the Dallas News, the issue of immigration is being raised by legislators and potential gubernatorial candidates in light of the current economic situation. While Democrats and Republicans alike agree that the issue is important,  some officials on both sides argue that immigration is more of a federal than state issue and emphasis should be placed by state legislators on the budget crisis effecting Texas. Interesting to see how there are varying views as to who is actually responsible for immigration policies. 

Allegations of racism towards Republicans are raised at the end of the article, and this issue has proved to be a combative one for "nativist" conservatives and for those conservatives that recognize the economic importance of hispanics in this country. 

Not so rosy at the top...

An article published a month ago in the Politico calls for new President Obama to not use the "at least we tried" excuse that his predecessor, President Bush, used for not being able to fulfill his promise of bipartisan immigration reform. Many lament Bush's failure on immigration because of his good history and initial popularity with hispanics, and this is just another example of how leaders, whether they are Chicano or not, are often times unable to fulfill promises made to hispanic constituencies when they finally do assume higher office. This seems to be a theme among our readings in class...

The Face of the New American Bigot [posted by Agustin]

The Face of the New American Bigot

By Roberto Rodriguez. 

Talks about GOP extremist and so-called moderates, anti-immigrant Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona.

However, among the nation's mainstream body politic, outward displays of racial bigotry are generally now frowned upon. The GOP has a new face, which is but a mask. Witness the election of Michael Steele to head the Republican Party, or what has now become America's far-right, anti-immigrant party. 

Both extremists and conservatives hold the views that the fewer red-brown peoples in this country, the better… the less Spanish spoken, the better.

Immigration Tops Latinos' Wish List at D.C. Meeting

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/19/immigration-tops-latinos-wish-list-at-dc-meeting/?scp=2&sq=latino%20immigration&st=cse

The Nativists are Restless

This New York Times article discusses the raise in nativism in part by the Republican party. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/opinion/01sun1.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=immigration&st=cse

"Immigration detention center considered for L.A. area"

This article I got from the LA Times website; what is really important is that the article mentions that there currently is a movement toward privately owned and operated immigration detention centers.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ladetain3-2009feb03,0,6198295.story?track=rss

Immigration is Losing Urgency as Top Issue

This article I found at hispanicbusiness.com, but it originaly appeard in the Ventury County Star, and the article makes the arguement that the importance of immigration reform among "hispanics" is waning.

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/2/2/immigration_is_losing_urgency_as_top.htm