Everyone But the Republicans Like Obama's Reform Plan

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/21/latin-america-response-us-immigration-reform

So while Congress is still peeved, the rest of the world, particularly the leader of Latin American countries are very pleased with the moves of the President. Leaders from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are super happy with Obama's decision to help keep families together.

The response from the rest of their people is a little more lukewarm, however. There have been newspapers explaining what the reform will or will not do and activists feel it is a step in the right direction but there is still more to be done.

I just find it interesting that the only backlash the President is going to get is from Congress and since he's in the second half of his second term, I don't think it bothers him all that much. Have the Republicans decided to do anything or are they still threatening that they will do something, they just don't know yet?

Executive Action

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30139606

This article is pretty slick. It details a lot of the issues now about immigration reform. It starts out with very similar quotes about immigration from both political parties and raises the question of why no one wants to get along.

It goes on about how Obama is just tired of the back and forth and getting nothing done, so now he's going to do something, the article even likens him to Teddy Roosevelt using his 'big stick'.

Obama insists the system is broken and the article explains how it would take thirty years to deport everyone who's here illegally.

A lot of people who are against immigrations are those with low immigrant populations. They also believe that most of the immigrants are Mexicans and there are more just waiting for the other shoe to drop to run over the border. But statistics tells us that isn't true. There are a lot more going back to Mexico because their economy is getting off and running.

Reactionary Republicans

http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-planning-to-shield-millions-from-deportation/2520454.html

So, here's my thing. I've read four or five of articles along the same line as this one. Basically, the president is going to hold off deportations for children fleeing violence from Central America and their parents. And the Republicans are calling foul. The argument runs that he's abusing his executive power, yadda yadda yadda.

I have yet to hear any plan for immigration reform by Republicans beyond 'whatever Obama does, we will block it'. I don't think the reactive game plan is ever a good idea, but this just hits me as childish. I can't find anything in my casual searching on what Republicans plan on doing, I just keep hearing about what Obama is going to do, which tends to be stable. He's going to protect children and their families fleeing violence from drugs and war in Central America. Yes there's five million of them but how is that not the right thing to do?

Canada's Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act

http://www.voanews.com/content/canada-considers-immigration-ban-on-polygamists/2510250.html

Canada is considering limiting the rights of immigrant polygamists in the Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act which has got to be the best name for a law I have ever heard.

Canada already bans polygamy and this law would close the loophole that would let polygamists get immigration benefits. They can also deport polygamists without needing to convict them of any criminal activity.

This law would also criminalize forced marriages and limits the defense of honor killings in legal cases. It puts the minimum age for marriage at sixteen. Those under the age of 18 would need parental consent.

The sanctuary movement

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/24/us/us-religious-leaders-embrace-cause-of-immigrant-children.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A13%22%7D

Like we talked about in class today, the new surge of immigrant children fleeing Central America are getting the attention of religious groups, hoping to take them in and protect them amidst arguments of sending them back, claiming America cannot take in every child with a problem.

Religious groups argue that this isn't just a political issue but a moral one. They are trying to make it clear that these kids are people not problems. They are trying to get them out of detention centers and keep them from being deported.

So while Congress is deadlocked over the issue, churches are going out of their way to offer food and shelter and just basic necessities. Many have moved to the direction of immigration reform which is unusual for traditionally conservative groups.

Chinese Immigrants in Yosemite

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29666347

Here's some history about Chinese laborers working to map out Yosemite national park. They were doing similar back-breaking work like the railroads. They were the ones digging through mountains to build roads throughout the massive park.

Then the article hones in on a particular immigrant, who they aren't entirely sure was Chinese, but apparently he was a culinary mastermind that worked with mappers like John Muir, cooking in the mountains. He apparently worked keeping meat fresh and made his own bread. He has peak named after him, which is super cool.

Asian Americans and Political Parties

http://www.voanews.com/content/us-political-parties-asian-americans/2486338.html

This is related to our reading this week, about Asian Americans. According to the article, they are the fastest growing minority in the U.S. and have finally gotten some attention from the two political parties. Both parties are beginning to view the various ethnicities as an untapped voting bloc. As more immigrate, they are expected to make a bigger impact in coming elections.

Something I noticed was a Republican spokesperson reiterating the model minority idea from the book. He claims that not only are they the best group of immigrants in terms of assimilation, but they would be the perfect material to lead the new direction of the Republican party.