USCIS ACTING DIRECTOR REFLECTS ON “CITIZENSHIP DAY”

According to a Blog entry that appeared in the USCIS Leadership Journal written by USCIS Acting Director Jonathan Scharfen:  “Throughout our rich history, immigrants have come to the United States seeking liberty and a better life. Many decided to become citizens and have played key roles in the success of our Nation.”

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INTRODUCES “THE DOBBSY” AWARD NAMED AFTER CNN ANCHOR LOU DOBBS

The Southern Poverty Law Center is seeking nominations for the newly-introduced “Dobbsy Award”, according to their site:  “Some exaggerations and falsehoods are so outrageous that they deserve special recognition. We’ve created The Dobbsy Award for “mainstream” figures who make false or misleading statements that denigrate or defame an entire group of people.”

This organization is relentless in pointing out alleged falsehoods by Lou Dobbs’ show on CNN.  SPLC’s site is definitely worth a look, wherever you may stand on the immigration issue.

MCCAIN AND IMMIGRATION

A good debate question for Senator McCain would be whether he supports comprehensive immigration reform that allows a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented – meaning a single bill, along the lines of an improved McCain- Kennedy Bill that failed to pass the Senate last year.  Governor Palin should be asked the same question as there is a chance that she will be President over the next four years goven McCain’s age.

McCain has been wavering on the issue as an article on Politico.com points out.  Senator Obama’s position from most accounts is that he supports CIR and would clearly state that fact if pressed on the issue in a debate or other forum.   

DIRECT MAIL PROGRAM ADDS FORM N-400, APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION

According to a USCIS Press Release:  “U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) announces publication of a Federal Register Notice that expands the Direct Mail program to include Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.  The notice advises the public to file non-military N-400 applications with the appropriate Lockbox and provides a 30-day transition period whereby the Service Centers will forward any N-400 applications received at their facilities to the appropriate Lockbox.  Applicants should continue to file Military N-400 cases at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). In addition, in order to assist military spouses, NSC will also accept and process N-400s filed by spouses of active members of the military.”

The USCIS has also released a related FAQ on this development.

MCCAIN RUNS IMMIGRATION-BASED ADS IN SPANISH

According to nytimes.com, in Spanish-language television commercials run by the McCain campaign:  “A male announcer says: ‘Obama and his allies in Congress say they are on the side of immigrants, but they’re not. Reports in the press say that their efforts were like ‘poison pills’ that caused immigration reform to fail. The results: ‘No’ to the guest workers program; ‘no’ to a path to citizenship, ‘no’ to secure borders. The reform didn’t pass. Is that being on our side? Obama and his Congressional allies — ready to block immigration reform, but not ready to govern.’”

Where McCain and Obama stand on immigration should be addressed in the debates.  However considering the state of the U.S. economy, immigration may be overshadowed by more pressing issues.

PLAYING WITH FIRE: IMMIGRATION ISSUE MAY RESURFACE DURING PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

According to an article on dallasnews.com:  “Immigration reform was once Sen. John McCain’s signature issue – and a key ingredient in his maverick image. Democrats have largely avoided the subject, but there are signs they’ll be using the issue this fall to challenge the Republican presidential nominee’s maverick claim.”

WHERE DOES PALIN STAND ON IMMIGRATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE?

Over the past week, Ba “rock star” Obama has been overshadowed by McCain’s VP pick, Sarah Palin.  The novelty factor seems to be selling this election season.  However, one has to wonder where Palin stands on issues.  Unlike previous VP choices who matter less, there is a reasonable likelihood that this woman could be President of the United States within the next few years. 

There has been no word on where Palin stands on immigration issues.  According to an article on TheHill.com:  “…Palin’s record on immigration, as recorded by Nexis and Google, is practically nonexistent, and everyone from bloggers to members of Palin’s own party seemed unsure of her views.”

Palin’s public views will probably echo McCain Election 2008’s views on immigration:  “Border security first”.  Whatever that means exactly, no one’s sure.  It will probably be a version of Comprehensive Immigration Reform with a prerequisite of a “certification” that the borders have been sealed or that illegal immigration is “under control” by some government official.

The VP debates should prove interesting considering the importance of McCain’s choice in light of his age and the mystery that surrounds where she stands on issues.  Choosing who could possibly be the President of the United States in a couple of years should not be a analogous to a going on a blind date with someone the country knows very little about.   Most engagements last longer than the two and a half months that the American people will have to get to know Palin before casting their votes in November. 

Hopefully the press and the debates will shed some light on where this VP candidate stands on the issues and how she would address them were she to become President.    

THE IMMIGRATION NON-ISSUE…FOR NOW

According to an article on newsday.com:  “… a parade of Republicans came to the convention podium in St. Paul last week with barely a mention of immigration. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, 38 speakers addressed the GOP crowd and only one – unknown Kansas farmer Carolyn Dunn – even uttered the word “immigration.” There was not a single mention of border security or amnesty from McCain or his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.”

Similarly, the Democratic National Convention kept the issue out of the spotlight.  Considering Americans are sufering from real economic problems, and the divicive nature of the immigration issue, it is a good move.  I am sure Obama and Biden will bring up the issue in the debates, which could hurt McCain in light of his changing his position for political gain.