Martin O’Malley: Creating a 21st Century immigration policy

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Martin O’Malley, guest columnist
July 14, 2015


___My great grandparents came to this country from Ireland. My great grandfather, his name was also Martin O’Malley, had no money, and his first language was not English. But the hopes and dreams he had for his children were purely American.

We are a nation of immigrants — whether our ancestors came from Ireland or from Mexico, or whether they immigrated generations before us or brought us to the United States. But today, the very essence of our country, the diversity that makes us great and rejuvenates us with each new arrival, is being eroded.

Iowa knows well the importance of immigration and the need for reform. As a state economy leading the way in agriculture, immigration reform means greater economic success for Iowans. And as the state that has been home to some of the largest immigration raids in the country, you’ve seen families torn apart and thrown in a detention center in Waterloo. It’s not only heartbreaking, it’s disruptive to the workforce as well.

Our outdated immigration laws aren’t meeting our economic needs, our national security imperatives, or our values.

So here’s my goal: use bold executive action to provide immediate relief to the millions of new Americans waiting for Congress to act, while forging a new consensus for comprehensive immigration reform. Comprehensive reform must create a pathway to citizenship to help rebuild the American dream for us all.

I offer not words, but action. As governor of Maryland, I signed the Maryland DREAM Act, allowed undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses and broke with national leaders and offered young children who had come across the border a home in Maryland. I stood up to the Obama Administration on deportation of unaccompanied minors, and have stood with President Barack Obama on his executive actions on DACA and DAPA.

Now, to continue to attract the next generation of strivers, dreamers and risk-takers, and to be true to the values we hold dear, we must pursue a dynamic, modern approach to immigration policy as a nation.

As president I will take immediate action to extend administrative relief to millions of new American families, so that all of the people who would have become eligible for legalization can continue to work and support their families. I would also make common sense reforms to keep families together, make sure that DACA and DAPA-recipients have access to affordable health care, and limit detention to only those who pose a clear threat to public safety.

Most importantly, I will use my executive experience to finally secure comprehensive immigration reform legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship and builds a 21st century immigration system.

Our current immigration system hasn’t changed much over the past 60 years. It’s not responsive to the hiring needs of employers, whether they’re looking for computer programmers or agricultural workers. And it tears families apart. My plan as president will be to overhaul the US immigration system by creating an independent agency to set immigration policy based on the real-time needs of our economy. That way, we won’t be in the position of having to fight for immigration reform again.

Comprehensive immigration reform will help all families — by lifting wages, creating new jobs, growing our economy, expanding our tax base, and improving standards for all workers. With new leadership, we can and will come together to make immigration reform a reality so that the enduring symbol of our nation will forever be the Statue of liberty and never become the barbed wire fence.


read: http://thegazette.com/subject/opinion/creating-a-21st-century-immigration-policy-20150714

related:

JORGE RAMOS ‏@jorgeramosnews
@MartinOMalley released the most inclusive immigration plan so far. Includes healthcare for undocumented immigrants. read: https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/immigration/ …

Lis Smith ‏@Lis_Smith
Only term I can think of to describe of coverage of @MartinOMalley’s immigration plan rollout: ball-er

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1. The plan makes sense to me but it'll be a definite hard sell

To Joe Sixpack.

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3. our Democratic push this time around

...isn't directed at Joe Six-Pack.

Sorry, Joe.

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2. 'Most importantly, I will use my executive experience !!!!

to finally secure comprehensive immigration reform legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship and builds a 21st century immigration system.'

[FSogol]

4. Another excellent plan from the candidate of excellent plans*

* and the executive that has already accomplished many of his plans in Maryland.

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5. "I offer not words, but action"

...amen.

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6. +1 n/t