Given the uncertain future of immigration programs, preparation and planning ahead are perhaps the two most essential elements for immigration success.
For many immigrants, the quest to live and work legally in the United States has been an incessant roller coaster ride.
One day, immigration reform is just around the corner. A day later, reform is just another word, void of practical meaning.
As a result, many immigrants are swift to pounce on the latest presidential sound bites, hurried proclamations of change by activists, and cursory legal opinions of attorneys.
Their haste is unmerited. If and when it happens, immigration change will not be a one-day Black Friday special.
Immigration reform, properly viewed, is not a sprint.
It is an attempt to shape the ground rules for legal residency and citizenship in a new America, an America which hopes to continue its standing as the paradigm of freedom, justice, and equality for a global community.
Law, in almost any area, is impossible to shape in an absolute comprehensive manner all at once. There are too many differences of opinions, politically, economically, and socially.
Immigration reform is no exception.
Compromise is the likely outcome. There will be aspects immigrants welcome and aspects they criticize.
Even after a compromise is reached, legislative winds will continue to shift.
As shortcomings are uncovered, new legal challenges will arise. The roller coaster ride, in other words, will remain in effect.
There are no safe bets on the future of immigration reform – other than an immigration bill will eventually be passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, whomever that person is at that time.
Against this backdrop, immigrant advocates would do well to adopt a slower, steady approach forward like a tortoise . . . rather than haphazardly rushing to endorse the immigration platforms of their preferred candidates.
Or they risk jeopardizing their constituents’ opportunities for real success.
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