What does comprehensive immigration reform mean in Trump’s America?
IMMIGRANT/REFUGEE ANALYST: Joseph Castleberry, is the President of Northwest University and author of The New Pilgrims: How Immigrants Are Renewing America’s Faith And Values.
Do we enforce the letter of the law regarding people who have entered our country illegally, or do we compassionately assimilate undocumented peoples seeking a better life despite the laws they broke getting here in the first place?
Since the Gang of Eight bill was first passed in the Senate in 2013 – and later stalled in the House of Representatives – it’s safe to say that much has transpired both socially and politically.
Like any expression that is often used but seldom defined, what politicians and immigration advocates actually mean by Comprehensive Immigration Reform is up for interpretation, and is usually more rooted in political party and ideology rather than any agreed upon baseline policy measures.
Politically speaking, comprehensive immigration reform is perhaps the ultimate Catch 22. Do we enforce the letter of the law regarding people who have entered our country illegally, or do we compassionately assimilate undocumented peoples seeking a better life despite the laws they broke getting here in the first place? In America, the answer must be yes and yes.
President Trump has indicated that now is the time to once again pursue immigration reform and it’s critically important that the Hispanic Community assume a leading voice in the debate.
In fact, I believe there are 5 essential policy points that must be included in any serious, comprehensive immigration reform bill that seeks to bridge the two sides’ seemingly incompatible goals.
READ: http://www.univision.com/univision-news/opinion/what-does-comprehensive-immigration-reform-mean-in-trumps-america
PLUG BOOK: http://www.amazon.com/New-Pilgrims-Immigrants-Renewing-Americas/dp/1617956023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441930949&sr=8-1&keywords=the+new+pilgrims
BIO: Dr. Joseph Castleberry is President of Northwest University. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education degree in International Educational Development from Columbia University. During 20 years of missionary service in Latin America, he spent three years as a university professor and pastor in El Salvador, Central America, three years as Associate Dean for Latin America at Global University in Texas, and five years as a pastor, seminary dean, and community development leader in Ecuador.
VIDEO: youtube.com/watch?v=KDzAXDYszX8
WEBSITE: josephcastleberry.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/joseph.castleberry
TWITTER: @DrCastleberry