Illegal immigrants is are open to
potential exploitation by unscrupulous employers
Reflecting the tension in the US,
opponents of immigration from Latin America
have taken to wearing T-shirts saying
"Only speak English to me"
A volunteer patrols a stretch of fence
being built along the US-Mexican border
The detestable parts of the Senate bill were clear
The "guest worker" program, the point system,
militarization of the border, the division of families
— these aspects can be defeated
if the level of struggle is high enough
This is a reason to intensify the struggle now
and not to harbor illusions that the Democrats
will align themselves with the immigrant
rights movement after the 2008 elections
Immigration reforms shot down by SenateImmigrants Are the Underclass
Bush's proposed reform of America's crisis-hit immigration system was in tatters today after a comprehensive defeat in the Senate.
His bill, intended to be the administration's lasting legacy, destroyed by a combination of Republicans and Democrats, highlights the extent of his weakness and isolation, even though he still has a year-and-half left in office.
Immigration is a hugely divisive issue in the US, the hottest political issue after Iraq and there have been repeated attempts over the years to try to fix it.
There are an estimated 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants in the US, mainly from Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
The US is torn between needing the immigrants, who mainly do menial jobs that Americans do not want to do, and not wanting to give them legal status.
Immigration: Dividing a nation
Immigration has been a contentious issue throughout US history, from 1798 when the president was given the power, under the Alien Act, to expel "dangerous" foreigners, after the anti-Irish, anti-Catholic riots of the 19th century. But nothing on the scale of the present crisis.
Unlike in Britain, where illegal immigrants are usually taken to detention centres, there is an uneasy compromise in the US. With the economy dependent on illegal immigrants, the authorities only occasionally take action.
The problem for the illegal immigrants is that they are open to potential exploitation by unscrupulous employers. Reflecting the tension in the US, opponents of immigration from Latin America have taken to wearing T-shirts saying "Only speak English to me".
Last year, the world witnessed a dramatic upsurge in the struggle for immigrant rights.
A mass movement for civil rights emerged in the heart of world capitalism. The central demand was, and remains, full legalization of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Since then, the issue of immigration reform has been a top concern for the U.S. ruling class and millions of workers.
The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 was loaded with repressive measures against immigrants, and was under assault by the most racist and right-wing forces in Congress. Passage of any immigration bill is in great doubt.
The current legislation is the most recent in a long line of proposals put forward since spring 2006.
All were crafted by the capitalists with their interests in mind, but all have contained some provisions that, if codified, could lead to the legalization of millions.
Government repression
Facing a movement of millions demanding democratic rights, the ruling class mobilized against it.
It aimed to crush the movement by force while also persuading some within the movement to channel their efforts into "safe" outlets like lobbying and voting.
With notable exceptions, there have been few large demonstrations since May 1, 2006.
Hundreds of thousands of immigrants have been deported by federal authorities.
Local governments introduced and, in some cases, passed racist "English only" and similar laws.
And bourgeois pundits and media outlets supported the growth of neo-fascist groups like the Minuteman Project.
The recent police attack on the May Day immigrant rights action in Los Angeles was part of the overall campaign targeting the immigrant rights movement.
The capitalists hoped to settle the immigration issue in Congress, if possible, and discourage any further mass mobilizations.
Fight on the streets!
The detestable parts of the Senate bill were clear. The "guest worker" program, the point system, militarization of the border, the division of families—these aspects can be defeated if the level of struggle is high enough.
This is a reason to intensify the struggle now and not to harbor illusions that the Democratic Party will align itself with the immigrant rights movement after the 2008 elections.
The question for the ruling class—Democrats and Republicans alike—is how to exploit undocumented workers most effectively and, at the same time, pacify and neutralize the movement.
The question for progressives and revolutionaries in the immigrant rights movement is how we can achieve full rights for immigrants and force the capitalists to make as many concessions as possible along the way.
The upcoming June 24 march for immigrant rights in Los Angeles will be a key step in the struggle. Taking to the streets to demand "Full legalization now" is more important than ever.