How Nativists and Criminals Concocted an Issue that Haunts the Immigration Debate
by digby
There are some important issues close to home that still need tending. This is one:
The Border Security Scam: How Nativists and Criminals Concocted an Issue that Haunts the Immigration DebateWashington, DC – As Congress returns to Washington, the House is expected to consider several pieces of legislation dealing with immigration. Among those are bills relating to border security – an issue that has been at the forefront of the immigration debate for several years. In June, the Senate passed an immigration bill that included a path to citizenship for undocumented Americans along with a $40 billion “border surge” that would double the size of the border patrol to 40,000 troops. This fall, the House is set to consider a raft of immigration measures including the “SAFE Act” (or Safe to Harass Act), which would make Arizona’s SB 1070 the law of the land.
Most Americans support a balanced approach to immigration policy and reform. So where did the relentless focus on more and more aggressive enforcement originate? During the last decade, border security groups like the Minutemen pushed this issue into the forefront. Their extreme messaging was adopted by the media, members of Congress and other officials including the notorious, anti-immigrant Sherriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona. But, increasingly the leaders of that movement are being exposed for their shady pasts and suspect motivations.TomorrowDavid Neiwert, author of “And Hell Followed With Her: Crossing the Dark Side of the American Border” will tell the history of border security extremists, including the tale of Shawna Forde, one of its leading figures, who is currently on death row in Arizona. Juanita Molina from the Border Action Network in Tucson, Arizona, will discuss how these groups and personalities shaped the debate over immigration reform in her state. Julieta Garibay from United We DREAM will explain how that discussion led to an growing push to militarize the border. Frank Sharry from America’s Voice will moderate.
This will be a live and interactive event and speakers will be taking questions from Twitter using the hash tag #borderscam.
If you’d like to RSVP for tomorrow’s Google+ hangout, click here.WHAT: Advocates discuss the border security scamWHEN: THURSDAY, September 5th at 1:00 PM EDTWHO: David Neiwert, author of “And Hell Followed With Her”
Juanita Molina, Executive Director, Border Action Network
Julieta Garibay, United We DREAM
Frank Sharry, Executive Director, America’s VoiceFollow Frank Sharry and America’s Voice on Twitter: @FrankSharry and @AmericasVoiceAmerica’s Voice — Harnessing the power of American voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform
Update: Here’s Neiwert’s op-ed on the “border security” sham. It is shameful.
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