AUSTIN, Texas - Vuelven los problemas de migración por el posible cambio de juego en esta época de elecciones. Mientras la Suprema Corte evalúa la controversial aplicación de la ley de inmigración de Arizona, los detractores acusan al Presidente Obama de extralimitar su labor ejecutiva por su decisión del viernes pasado de permitir a muchos inmigrantes sin documentos solicitar el estatus de deportación diferida. Mientras tanto en Texas, los defensores del inmigrante predicen que la jugada de la administración será envalentonar a los jóvenes "DREAMers" - individuos traídos a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños - para que se vuelvan políticamente más activos.

Con la decisión de la administración Obama, la inmigración está surgiendo rápidamente como el problema dormido de esta época de elecciones. Los defensores de la comunidad fronteriza de Texas predicen un incremento en la actividad política por parte de los "DREAMers" porque ya se sienten libres para expresarse sin miedo de revelar su estatus legal. Esther Reyes, Directora Ejecutiva de la Coalición de los Derechos del Inmigrante en Austin y miembro de Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (Reforma Migratoria en la Alianza de Texas), dice que el riesgo que asumen los "DREAMers" que han estado ocupando las oficinas de campaña de Obama en todo el país durante las semanas pasadas, merece gran parte del crédito por la nueva política.

"Esto es resultado del trabajo de los estudiantes, más que nada. Sin duda fue un testamento de su arduo trabajo y su audacia y valor para luchar por sus derechos y por la justicia."

La Secretaria de Seguridad Interior, Janet Napolitano, declaró que la decisión fue el último paso del compromiso que hizo la administración hace un año para enfocar los esfuerzos de deportación en quienes cometen algún delito. Los inmigrantes elegibles pueden solicitar la prórroga de deportación en incrementos de dos años, así como solicitar permisos para trabajar.

Si bien Reyes aplaude la medida, opina que los grupos como la Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition (Coalición pro Derechos del Inmigrante de Austin), que ella dirige, estarán monitoreando su aplicación para asegurarse de que los solicitantes y sus familias no corran riesgos legales. Agrega que el impacto del cambio de política será limitado, a menos que el Congreso lo refuerce con leyes.

"También necesitamos un alivio completo, permanente, para nuestros estudiantes sin documentos, porque esto no significa un camino a la ciudadanía. Y eso es por lo que todos los indocumentados de este país luchan: por ser reconocidos."

La legislación "DREAM Act" ganó el apoyo mayoritario en ambos Congresos, pero cedió ante un opositor filibustero. Reyes tiene la esperanza de que una revisión con otro enfoque a los problemas migratorios eventualmente llevará a una reforma integral de todo el sistema migratorio nacional.

Los detractores dicen que la política de Obama es un exceso de autoridad con motivos políticos y que oculta una amnistía. El Congresista por Texas Lamar Smith dijo que tendrá "consecuencias horribles" para los desempleados estadounidenses. Reyes opina que sacar a los migrantes de la sombra les permitirá contribuir más abiertamente a la economía.

"Estas juventudes indocumentadas han demostrado su compromiso con este país, así que tenemos que reconocerles lo que realmente están haciendo."

El Gobierno abrió una línea para preguntas sobre elegibilidad y cómo solicitar la prórroga de su estatus. El número es 800-375-5283.


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Advocates for immigrants are pushing back on a bill signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in the last few days of the legislative session, modeled on a recent, controversial Texas law.

Senate File 2340 gives local law enforcement officers and judges the authority to deport undocumented immigrants.

Erica Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, argued the bill is an overreach, and said Iowa law enforcement officers are not authorized to enforce it.

"This is a pretty clear intervention into federal territory," Johnson pointed out. "U.S. immigration law is governed by federal law."

Much like the author of the Texas bill, supporters in Iowa blame the Biden administration for failing to slow illegal immigration, so the state has decided to take matters into its own hands.

Johnson contended the bill and other anti-immigrant sentiment during the just-completed legislative session target the very people Iowa, with its dwindling population, will depend on for its future workforce.

"What we need is communities that are safe, where workers have access to dignified, safe workplaces," Johnson emphasized. "The truth of what Iowa's future could be depends on immigrants and immigrant workers in our state, and unfortunately, this law could take us back, away from that possible future. "

Johnson added her organization will pursue legal ways to block the bill from taking effect in July.


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The future of Senate Bill 4 is still tangled in court challenges. It's the Texas law that would allow police to arrest people for illegally crossing the border. But groups are speaking out about the impact of "Operation Lone Star" on the youngest migrants. Governor Greg Abbott continues to bus migrant families to other states, many with young children - more than 100,000 families so far.

Robert Sanborn, CEO of Children at Risk, works to improve the quality of life for boys and girls in Texas, and contends the policy has put trauma on top of trauma.

"We never want children to be political pawns. We don't want maximum chaos on the backs of children. We want children to grow up and be assets for our community," he contended.

Sanborn points out that 2.2 million children in Texas are immigrants, and said it would be less stressful for kids if families were not bused in the middle of the night, and if they were allowed to pick their destination.

When immigrants arrive at the border, they are evaluated to determine if they're eligible for asylum.

Beatriz Zavala, clinical coordinator at El Paso-based Humanitarian Outreach for Migrant Emotional Health, or "HOME," said the children in this situation are at higher risk for mental health disorders.

"What is particularly troubling is the profound disregard for the stability and protection these families need. The impact on their mental health is undeniable. These are not just statistics. These are children, real children," she said.

As part of Operation Lone Star, families have been bused to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. The governor has said the practice is needed to keep the Texas-Mexico border safe.


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Legislation in Albany would create the first right to counsel for people in immigration court.

The Access to Representation Act would provide immigrants the right to an attorney in their New York immigration cases, ending the tendency to represent themselves if they cannot afford one.

Estimates show a backlog of more than 330,000 immigration court cases, and fewer than half have attorneys. Studies show without legal counsel, migrants are less likely to remain in the U.S.

Marlene Galaz, director of immigrant rights policy for the New York Immigration Coalition, described what the bill would do.

"It has a six-year ramp-up to start implementing and building infrastructure," Galaz outlined. "Having a pipeline between law schools for law students to go into immigration practice, and getting to nonprofits and so on."

Galaz noted most opposition centers around the $150 million to fund the program but pointed out the total expenditure is less than 1% of the state's $229 billion budget. She added anti-immigrant rhetoric has also damaged support for the bill. Currently, it is in the state Senate Finance Committee.

The New York City Comptroller's office said enacting the bill would benefit the state financially. It could keep about 53,000 people from being deported, which would result in almost $8.5 billion in local, state and federal taxes over the next 30 years.

Galaz emphasized the influx of migrants has saturated the court system, leading to what could have been an avoidable backlog.

"I firmly believe that if these investments had been made when we first asked for them, I believe, like, three years ago, then we wouldn't be struggling," Galaz contended. "We would have had the infrastructure built to address an increase in welcoming our newest neighbors."

A Vera Institute survey showed 93% of New Yorkers across party lines and regions support access to attorneys for all people, including those in immigration court, and government-funded attorneys for them.


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