Progressives for Immigration Reform

By Leah V. Durant
May 6, 2009

The intense debate over legal and illegal immigration in the United States has raised legitimate concerns about the negative consequences of our rapidly growing society. In a supposedly straight-talking era of political change, the voices of many political Progressives have been drowned out by the rhetoric of open-border advocates claiming the benign impacts of mass immigration.

Notwithstanding the moral debate over what is best for the millions of aliens wishing to migrate to the U.S., one question yet to be addressed is the impact that rapidly-increasing immigration has on America’s working poor, in particular on newer immigrants and native-born blacks in working communities. If it is true that the Progressive platform is to ensure the protection of American workers and to promote conservation and energy independence, why then, do so many Progressives recoil from discussing the ill effects of mass migration?

In an effort to shut down meaningful debate, the tactic of many proponents of open-borders has been to label those who wish to discuss our nation’s out of control immigration as “nativist” or “racist.” Such allegations have stifled thoughtful debate. The fact is that for many years, Progressives and Liberals have long been at the forefront of urging immigration reduction. The U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, chaired by the late civil rights attorney and black Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, took a strong stance against illegal immigration and advocated for reducing legal immigration. The Commission examined the devastating impact that mass immigration has on low-income workers and the availability of jobs. The Commission decried hostility and discrimination against immigrants as being against American values and traditions, but at the same time, “disagree[d] with those who would label efforts to control immigration as being inherently anti-immigrant.” Rather, the Commission determined that “it is both a right and a responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest.” The Commission’s findings were later endorsed by then President Bill Clinton.

Progressives who have advocated for restricting immigration range from workers’ rights activists like Cesar Chavez to environmentalists such as Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, former Democratic senator from Wisconsin. Yet, despite a long-standing history of activism in favor of reform, many Progressives are now afraid to speak out because of the tactics of race baiting used by open border advocates.

With regard to the impact of immigration on native-born blacks and newer immigrants, the current laxness of immigration policies often fuels tensions, as those at the lower end of the socio-economic scale compete for fewer and fewer resources. Progressives have long championed civil rights for African Americans. Yet, unlimited immigration, they must know, has its greatest economic impact within black and other working class communities. Based on the simple economic truth that an overabundance of laborers drives down wages, and corporations are invariably anxious to save labor costs, mass immigration ensures that low-wage American workers are economically displaced and marginalized. Progressives have a long and proud history of safeguarding the rights of American workers, especially those at the low end of the wage-earning spectrum. Progressives have fought tirelessly to ensure a living minimum wage for all Americans. The Progressive agenda on jobs, workers’ rights, and fair salaries can only be effectuated once we address the deleterious effects that immigration, especially the illegal variety, has on American workers.

Simply put, mass immigration hurts those whom Progressives have long sought to protect. America, and particularly Progressives, must decide whether our immigration policies are to serve the long-term interests of all Americans, or the short-term self-serving concerns of corporate and special interests.

Leah Durant is the Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform, a nonprofit organization working to educate the public on the unintended consequences of U.S. immigration policies. Leah Durant can be contacted at Ldurant@progressivesforimmigrationreform.org