More than half of all Americans in a
CNN/ORC International poll argued that the first priority on immigration should be
providing a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants living in the
country, while only 41 percent believed that stopping unauthorized
immigration should be the top priority. These results stand in sharp relief to
similar polling done in 2011 and before, when a majority of Americans believed
that stopping unauthorized immigration should come before allowing undocumented
immigrants access to legal status. As CNN Polling Director Keating Holland
argued,
“The Republicans’ insistence that border security be the primary focus of
U.S. immigration policy may have been
a popular stand in 2011, but not necessarily in
2014.”
Overall, 8 out of 10 Americans believed
that undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for years and are
employed, speak English, and would pay back taxes should be allowed to become
citizens, while nearly two-thirds of those polled stated that they would oppose
a bill that only granted legal status but no way to achieve citizenship. Both of
these results were more or less consistent regardless of whether the respondent
was a Democrat, a Republican, or an independent. It is clear from the poll that
the American public supports a full pathway to citizenship, not merely the
granting of second-class legal status. This poll in no way implies that security
at our borders does not also remain a seriousl problem that must be dealt
with simultaneously.
Comment:
The Boston Irish Group has steadfastly and
unwaveringly stood in support of the concept that the very first step toward
meaningful and lasting U.S. immigration reform must be a permanent resolution of
the plight of undocumented people currently living, working, and raising their
families here in the U.S. Many came here fleeing oppression in their native
countries. In some cases, the oppression was political, in others it was
economic. We are convinced if they thought that the United States of America
offered them, through hard work, the opportunity to make a good and decent life
for themselves and their families, they should be given the opportunity to prove
themselves. On this 238th birthday of the United States of America, let us
pledge to continue our proud heritage as a nation who has always granted
opportunity to people from other lands and has benefitted greatly from our
generosity and our vision for the future.
Also it should be noted that unlike other
immigrant service providers, the Boston Irish Group which is comprised of
American citizens, green card holders, and undocumented Irish nationals have
never asked for or accepted a single penny for the services that they provide
to the undocumented community that they serve.
Jack Meehan, National President
Emeritus
Ancient Order of Hibernians in
America
Boston Irish Group
