Blacks Ignored in Immigration Debate
Immigration reform is on the way and a breakthrough could be just around the corner. There have been many meetings lately between the Democrats and the Republicans. It has been said that whoever wins the Latino vote will win the immigration reform project.
There is a national debate on the subject, but for this debate, the Black immigration population was left out. Black immigrants make up 10% of the immigrants in the US. The Black immigrants are saying that this was a racist move on the government’s part and they don’t feel as if they matter.
A Black congressional aide joked, speaking off record, to give a candid assessment (gesturing towards a phalanx of approaching white congressmen walking down a Capitol Hill hallway):
“They’re already dealing with enough Black people as it is…Do you think they want more coming in to the country?”
Black immigrants feel that they are underrated and not appreciated enough for the culture they bring. Black immigrants as a whole have been found to be more educated than Latino, Asian, and European immigrants. Nearly 50% of the immigrants that come from certain African countries, such as Nigeria, have a college degree.
Even though the Black immigrants have more education, the government seems to only focus on the Latino immigrant population. This is not surprising as Latinos make up a very large portion of the immigrant population, but it has the Black immigrants feeling a little invisible. While they may not have as many people here, they feel they are no less important than Latino immigrants.
Should the new immigration laws go through, Black immigrants could benefit greatly and have a fair shot at being noticed just as much as the Latino immigrants.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Sowers, really, you want POTUS impeached because his agenda is not soley for us Black Americans? That’s a little severe don’t you think? I’m not sure of the immigrant percentages from all other countries but I think it’s safe to say immigrants from Mexico outnumber the 10% popultion from Africa by far and Mexicans and been very politically active in promoting their agenda. Of course the conversation will focus heavily on those with the loudest voices. Don’t get caught up in semantics on this issue, because as noted in the article ALL immigrants will fall under the same rules and regulations. Lastly, who do you suggest would have been the better candidate to run this country and promote the Black agenda? I think I hear crickets.
Black folks got less than 4 years to be relevant to Any political party. America Will be the age of the Latino thereafter.
http://youtube.com/#/watch?feature=relmfu&v=KsM1lfssWBQ
You don’t understand!
Because your vote is guaranteed to go to the Democratic party their is nothing we can say or do to change the course
of the legislators. Blacks with an education is something new to them, so they have not considered the value of these immigrants.
I don’t think anyone should be allowed into the country if they can not pass a test to see if the are smarter than the strawberry picker that they now allow in.
We have gone far enough with the lowering of the literacy of America!
Don’t ever forget that it was Africans living in America that started the fight for Civil Rights and everyone else jumped on the Band Wagon after.European Racism has raised it ugly head again.
Well, if Black immigrants feel President Obama’s immigration reform plan is racist, imagine how Black American CITIZENS feel. Secondly, it begs the question as to why Black immigrants would want to live in a racist nation.
Understand, too, Obama’s motive is to make America more competitive at the international level. I think that is selfish, for the sake of being one of the top nations in the world. He is not considering the unintended consequences it will have on nations that really need their skilled and educated workers, especially, in countries such as Africa. Personally, I am looking forward to visiting Africa. I want to know where my ancestors came from, and hope to be of service and to bridge the gap between Black America and my African brothers and sisters.
But I can assure you, if immigration reform passes, Black immigrants will benefit. It is already in motion within the federal government. I was reviewing a federal job announcement the other day, and the announcement stated the position was open to non-citizens, if they submit the appropriate documentation proving that they are in the process of obtaining citizenship. It could take years to obtain citizenship. I ask is that fair to American citizens?
S’ann,
Very good comment.
Sometimes there are problems that the Gov’t has to solve because it just gets out of control. Immigration is one of these problems. Millions of undocumented people are here in the U.S. working, going to school, and some do work that others don’t want…like the farm workers who pick the agriculture.
If those who have not been involved in crime, can be given a legit way to get their citizenship….to work, pay taxes, join the military…and be productive — WHY NOT???
Surely, those Black immigrants from Haiti, Africa, Panama, and other “mostly Black countries” will get some benefit out of a good reform of the system. In fact, they have been some of the last ones to be approved in some cases.
I apologies for my ignorance in advance. However– when one consider the arrival of the Jamaicans, Haitians, all of the Africans from the continent of Africa, and all other people of color– is it fair to assume that they aren’t Black. I ponder that question because all people of Latin descent are counted as one; while all other Black folk who come to America aren’t counted along with the Black folk that were born in America.
The number game is being played with the Latinos for the manipulating of the VOTE- yet all other people of color are being marginalized as the Black people in America have always been.
Classic stuff— DIVIDE AND CONQUER!!!!!!