The Democratic Conflict

After sidelining immigration reform for the bulk of his presidential campaign, Obama must now face the issue head-on. As Angelica Salas, the executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, says, Latinos, who voted for Obama in sweeping majorities, “…voted for a person who we believed understood the importance of immigrants to this country.” Now, they are expecting Obama to follow through: just last week, immigrant rights organizations announced their plans for a major march on Washington on January 21st, the day after Obama assumes office. While the issue of illegal immigration did not determine the outcome of this election, polls show 61% of Latinos rate immigration reform as a top priority.

As the platform currently stands, Obama would require illegal immigrants pay a fine, learn English and zip to the end of the line for naturalization. Yes, he would keep open that pathway to citizenship. While this policy may seem palatable enough to the Latino community, there is some concern over whether Obama will act any time in the near future, let alone fast enough to solidify the Latino voting bloc as a Democratic stronghold.

Why worry? Well, Americans, as dictated by majority rule, have a different agenda on their mind. According to a Center for Immigration Studies survey, only 25% of Republican and 50% of Democratic voters said they would support a policy that entails eventual citizenship for illegal immigrants.
Given the recent financial crisis, the economy is dropping 220,000 jobs per month, and Americans are feeling unfriendlier than ever towards illegal immigrants. Why should an illegal be employed when a citizen is not? Equality of opportunity is an American value that, therefore, applies only to Americans.

But given the recent economic collapse, shouldn't we usher these immigrants out of hiding and onto the tax rolls? Why not fine them, tax them, and collect the revenue, as our President-elect so intends? Will Obama, slowly but surely, champion the Burkeian, trusteeship vision of democracy? Will he, through timely action, appease the Hispanic minority (albeit fasting-growing minority in the country) and defer to pluralism? Or will he succumb to public opinion?