These governors are real Democrats

The Wall Street Journal -- which has been smartly supportive of positive immigration reform on its editorial pages -- recently featured this eye-opening news article on what progressive Democrats are doing concerning undocumented human beings in this country.

My blog is more critical of Democrats than Republicans. One primary reason why is that Democrats claim to know better; they claim to be more enlightened.

So when Democrats like Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Congressman Jim Cooper and County Sheriff Daron Hall bring (or support) the heinous 287g deportation program to Music City, then the words "progressive" and "Democrats" don't go together. Gov. Phil Bredesen, another Democrat, is bringing 287g statewide to Tennessee under the Tennessee Highway Patrol -- the most dysfunctional law enforcement entity in the nation from continuing scandal the governor refuses to address.

On its editorial pages, The Wall Street Journal is a conservative business voice in the news media. Its take on immigration is most progressive. Unlike most members of the business community in Nashville and across the nation, it is willing to take a public stand -- regardless of how much patronage it might lose from conservatives and Republicans.

Democrats could learn something about courage and integrity from it and their fellow governors featured in the following article. Quit appealing to the ignorant and to the fear-mongers. Do the right and progressive thing. Lead.

Some States Seek Integration Path for Immigrants

By MIRIAM JORDAN
Behind the national debate over immigration, a handful of Democratic governors are mounting a quiet offensive to integrate, rather than repel, foreign newcomers.

The governors of Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Washington have signed orders that make immigrant integration a priority for their states, focusing on language, job and citizenship training as well as access to services, such as health care and public safety, for immigrants.


The federal government's failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform has prompted states and localities to come up with their own solutions to illegal immigration. Governors are taking divergent paths to cope with the record influx of immigrants, particularly those here illegally.

In March, Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri, a Republican, signed an executive order that empowers state police and correctional officers to enforce some immigration laws. It also requires companies that do business with the state to use an electronic system to verify whether job applicants are in the country legally and eligible to work. Georgia and Arizona also have recently passed anti-illegal immigrant laws.

The U.S. has absorbed a record number of immigrants since 1990, mainly from Latin America, Asia and Africa. The country is now home to about 38 million legal immigrants and 12 million undocumented immigrants. An additional 31 million people are children of immigrants.

Supporters of the executive orders to promote integration of foreign residents say the orders counter the hostile rhetoric of the immigration debate. "It's creating a political climate where immigrants are seen as a net benefit to the state," says Ngoan Le, a senior official at the Chicago Community Trust, a private foundation. "The state's highest officeholder is sending a message that his state welcomes immigrants."

Groups opposed to illegal immigration have criticized the orders, which don't differentiate legal from undocumented immigrants. Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation of American Immigration Reform, a national group that believes in curbing all immigration to the U.S., said the executive orders "send the wrong message."

Massachusetts last month became the most recent state to adopt the strategy when Gov. Deval Patrick signed an executive order calling for a coordinated approach to integrating immigrants, who represent 14% of the state's population.

After holding fact-finding public meetings across the state, an advisory council composed of business leaders, immigrant advocates, academics and policy makers will submit policy recommendations to the governor by July 2009. State agencies, faith organizations and private-sector employers then will be charged with implementing the new programs.

"Were it not for immigrants and refugees, Massachusetts would have seen a population decline in the last seven years," says Richard Chacon, executive director of the state's office for refugees and immigrants. "Immigrants are becoming increasingly important to the health of the state economy," Mr. Chacon says.

In February, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire issued a similar executive order creating the New Americans Policy Council, designed to make recommendations to the governor's office on immigrant matters, such as helping them learn English, transfer professional credentials and become civically engaged through public-private partnerships. About 12% of Washington state's population is foreign born.

In August 2007, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine signed an order that created an advisory panel on immigrant policy that is to present recommendations to the governor by the end of this year. About 20% of the state's residents hail from other countries.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, signed the New Americans Executive Order in November 2005, the first order of its kind. The order established a council comprised of business, faith, labor, community and government leaders to identify ways to improve the provision of services to immigrants and make recommendations to the governor.

In 2006, members of the policy council completed the first phase of their work. One outcome of that effort was the inauguration late last year of a pilot "welcoming center" in a Chicago suburb where thousands of new immigrants have settled.

Meant to be a one-stop shop, immigrants who visit can access several state and local services, such as signing their children up for school, finding out about health-care eligibility and learning about job-training opportunities. Bilingual staffers encourage adults to take English courses, attend computer courses or enroll their children in a new soccer league.

"It's in the best interest of the state, communities and immigrant families to expedite their integration," says Grace Hou, assistant secretary for the state department of human services.

Other programs under consideration will focus on vocational English courses and community police relations, with funding expected to come from the state, foundations and community organizations.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, a nonprofit advocacy group that worked with Gov. Blagojevich to craft the executive order, has played a lead role in fostering integration initiatives in other states.

The coalition sponsored conferences to discuss with state officials and immigrant advocacy groups how to use executive orders to promote immigrant integration. The coalition then disbursed Carnegie Foundation grant money to three groups in other states -- including Washington and Massachusetts -- to help them spearhead efforts there.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121867506121839091.html