Managing Partner Michael Wildes recently discussed Immigration Reform in an interview on Voice of America.
Responding to President Obama’s comments on immigration in his inaugural speech, Michael said “the President is alluding to a principle that pervades policy in immigration law for generations, That is, we want to keep families united together and second of all, we want to make sure that we don’t train the world’s experts all over only to see them leave our shores.”
Michael also pointed out that the U.S. has a political immigration law that hasn’t been revamped in a generation, and as a result, is facing other economies along with wars and politics of yesterday, rather than today’s challenges.
“The politics of the day remain on Capitol Hill,” said Wildes, “where the silence is deafening on immigration reform.” He claimed members of Congress are fearful they will not be reelected if they look like they’re liberal on immigration, and therefore weak on the war on terrorism.
“It takes leadership to remind ourselves about the special DNA of our nation. That is its immigrant backbone and base,” said Wildes. Turning our back on these people is tantamount to ‘shooting ourselves in the foot,’ he added.
But Wildes said this time may be different as far as Congressional passage of new immigration legislation is concerned. His reason is that the immigrant vote in the last election, had what most experts concluded was a decisive effect on the results. “I think both Democrats and Republicans would be shortsighted not to understand the immigrant community worldwide is watching.” If immigration reform isn’t done, said Wildes, that community may not be forgiving in the next election.
For a transcript of the interview, please click here.
To listen, please visit our Media Page.
