On June 15, President Obama announced he would use his discretionary power to stop the deportation of undocumented youth who were brought to the U.S. as children. While this is only a temporary exemption — it could be revoked at any time — it did bring a sigh of relief among some Latinos, particularly the youth. For the last few years, the Latino youth, the Dreamers, have been waging a brave battle for immigration reform. Under the banner, “Undocumented and Unafraid,” they have engaged in civil disobedience actions, participated in hunger strikes, and led marches. No one can deny that it’s the Latino youth, with their energy and courage, that has kept the movement for immigration reform going.
Why now?
Obama’s administration has detained and deported the highest number of immigrants than any other administration so far. After so many dreams deferred, Obama with a stroke of a pen, is doing what he could have done in the first 100 days of his administration. Obama’s latest action can’t help but leave a bittersweet taste in people’s mouths. It shows the blatant political corruption of American politics and its two-party system. Either party could have made this decision at any time during their administration. But they chose not to — until it was most useful for the class interests they represent — and not a moment sooner.
While it is recognized that this maneuver was to get the 20 million Latino votes tightly secured to the Democratic Party, this was not the main reason President Obama moved now.
Obama is in serious trouble and his actions have to be seen within today’s economic and political context. Hunger, poverty, and permanent unemployment is growing. The capitalists must keep the means of production (which could easily feed, clothe, house and educate everyone) in private hands. The use of robotic laborless production creates instability and threatens their control.
Obama’s new policy on immigration is part of the ruling class strategy to attempt to stabilize things politically. Many people recognize that this new immigration policy does not go far enough. But it also sets a dangerous precedent. It lays the basis for a sector of the working class to become hostages of the government. Young Latinos who register with the Department of Homeland Security, for example, have to register every two years. This makes their position very vulnerable. They will be at the mercy of the authorities every two years, at which time their residency can be denied. Consequently, these youths will be under the threat of deportation every two years. This could hamper their ability to engage in social struggle.
The workers of this country cannot allow a sector of the working class to be held hostage. This will open a flank from which the ruling class can attack the rights of all workers. The immediate solution for all workers is to keep organizing and pushing for the full legalization of all undocumented immigrants while, at the same time, wage a strategic fight for a new society where no human being will be labeled “illegal”.
