America’s struggle with immigration is a function of both D.C. cynicism and lack of leadership. The last meaningful immigration legislation was passed in 1986 during the Reagan administration. Since Reagan, we’ve had George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, Trump, Biden and Trump again. Twenty-plus years of Republicans and 20 years of Democrats. Both parties have gloriously failed to accomplish anything material concerning immigration reform. All of Congress is responsible. America seems to lack strong leadership capable of getting things done for America.
Immigration has become a pawn in politicians’ quest for political leverage and votes. Instead of framing policy benefiting American society, politicians spew various specious arguments about why immigration reform hasn’t happened. A mix of political polarization, mistrust, political risk, institutional gridlock, shifting sentiment and the filibuster rule are popular excuses from D.C.
D.C’s cynicism emerges, though, when 40 years of unproductive conduct is an undisputed fact and stale excuses cannot save such glaring ineffectiveness. But the immigration dispute is a powerful political tool as an unsolved wedge issue – an issue both parties seem to want in play to serve their vote-generation needs.
At the core, immigration issues are rooted in America’s lack of leadership. America needs new, transformative leadership – warriors who will solve society’s social issues. We don’t have that now. We have D.C. politicians who have been playing us on immigration for four decades. Without a leadership infusion, immigration is on a path to continue as a bouncing political ball with humanity ignored.
Terry Mazura
Pagosa Springs
