February 2016 news at a glance

Written by Ludmila Leiva

This month’s news digest takes a look at both parties’ results in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary as we continue on the path towards the upcoming election. We also talk about the recent comments made by Pope Francis and how they might affect immigration conversations and policy-making. Lastly, we circle back and take a look at immigration news here in New York.

The votes thus far: What do they mean?

At the beginning of the month, Ted Cruz — the GOP candidate who has always steadfastly opposed the legalization of unauthorized immigrants in the United States — won the Iowa caucus. On the other side of the party line, Hillary Clinton edged out Bernie Sanders, but only by a narrow — less than one percent — margin, results some pundits have referred to as a “virtual tie.” On the 9th, the New Hampshire primary yielded different results: with Trump and Sanders winning the most delegates. Trump and Clinton’s wins on Super Tuesday left voters with a variety of takeaways.

Despite their rivalry, the three GOP frontrunners coalesce around a similar nucleus of hostility and quintessential conservatism that has many immigration activists concerned for the future. One Washington Post contributor summarizes the candidates’ similarities in a recent opinion piece: “On immigration, Trump wants to build a wall and round up and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants […] Rubio also wants to build a wall […] Cruz wants to both build a wall and round up and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants.” In the aftermath of Trump’s wins, Rubio and Cruz have come together to launch attacks on his policies and character. It is likely the GOP candidates will continue to antagonize one another as we move closer to the nomination.

The climate is slightly different on the left. Clinton is still favored, and while Sanders’ path to the nomination remains uncertain, his win in New Hampshire has considerably increased the momentum of his campaign. Having launched his efforts at less than five percent — up against an obvious favorite — some wonder whether Sanders’ gains in popularity may “shake up” the Clinton campaign in the months leading up to the nomination.

While both Democratic candidates’ policies are markedly more progressive than the Republicans’ in regards to immigration, both have been criticized for pandering to minority voters — particularly African Americans and Latinos — in order to secure votes. It seems this pandering has paid off as Clinton’s win in Louisiana is attributed largely to African American votes. Regardless of the political party, the wins and losses in these election milestones have stirred up a lot of questions, and with good reason. Despite Clinton’s win on Super Tuesday, many still speculate her campaign will still face considerable difficulties leading up to the nomination. Though Clinton has strengthened her campaign and Sanders now faces a delegate deficit, the Democratic race is far from over.

Pope Francis enters the immigration debate

Pope Francis recently wrapped up a visit to Mexico, concluding his tour of the North American country in Ciudad Juárez. Located less than ten miles from El Paso, Texas, Juárez is one of the most dangerous places on earth, where drug-related crime rates are booming and many attempt to cross into the United States illegally.

While giving Mass, Francis’ homily addressed the “humanitarian crisis” in Juárez and elsewhere around the world.

“The human tragedy that is forced migration is a global phenomenon today,” Pope Francis said. “This crisis, which can be measured in numbers and statistics, we want instead to measure with names, stories, families.”

A New York Times article reflects on the significance of these comments. Through these words, Francis was able to hone in on controversial issues and offer solidarity and hope. Coming from such an exalted religious figure, these words carry particular weight and have sparked conversation among individuals and activists on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Beyond these comments, the Pope tends to avoid the murky waters of international politics. However, when recently asked about presidential candidates’ views on immigration, he said, “a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”

New York news

New York education officials are currently defending a controversial plan that — if passed — will allow undocumented immigrants to be certified as public school teachers. Those defending the plan argue that many of these potential teachers came to the US as children, have worked hard and are well qualified. Because they lack legal mechanisms to obtain citizenship, they are being blocked from pursuing their professions of choice, which is keeping talented, motivated teachers from working in US public schools.

Those criticizing the plan claim that the idea is “insane,” and violates the constitutional rights afforded to citizens, while those for it, including State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, say that this action will increase the quality of the New York education system and provide jobs — which will translate as state income tax — for New Yorkers.

Similar conversations have begun regarding the right of undocumented immigrants to vote. Immigration activists are currently pushing for undocumented New Yorkers to be granted the right to vote in New York City and say legislation could be introduced as early as this year.

Naturalization is a spendy, lengthy process that sometimes deters eligible immigrants from becoming fully-fledged US citizens. Becoming a permanent resident can cost several thousand dollars, which many do not have financial access to.

Recently, New York City’s Comptroller Scott Stringer released a new report suggesting city officials should reduce the cost of naturalization for legal immigrants eligible to become US citizens in New York City, noting citizenship applications that cost $60 in 1989 cost nearly twelve times as much — roughly $680 — today. And this application fee is only one part of the complicated, costly process.

Despite the fact that Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate will likely block this motion, Stringer’s brave move is indicative of a larger pattern; a shift that we hope will continue to spark important immigration conversations in the coming months.