A silent scream
A three-week hunger strike by activists on behalf of immigration reform reflects the feeling of desolation that exists since the House of Representatives brought a bill that encompasses the various aspects of the issue to a standstill.
The lower chamber, in the meanwhile, continues its cruel political strategy, gambling with the expectations and future of almost 11 million undocumented immigrants. One day, House Speaker John Boehner says he won’t negotiate with the bill that the Senate passed, only to then claim that the reform is not dead. Which one is it?
The reformwith its legalization componenthas the support of a majority of Americans, according to opinion polls. At the same time, religious, conservative and business leaders have unsuccessfully lobbied GOP congresspeople.
This cause has even united Jews and Muslims, whose organizations have declared Friday, December 6 a national day of fasting for reform. The struggle against injustice has brought supposed rivals closer, while it divides the Republican majorityletting antagonism and ignorance prevail over the advantages that a reform would bring to our country.
Even President Obama accepted the idea, which previously had been strongly rejected, of having the House approve separate measures, breaking down the Senate’s carefully prepared package of legislation. But even that has not moved immigration reform in the House. And they have the nerve to say there have been no advances because of a lack of time. However, this is the same Congress that for 2014 scheduled the shortest work calendar in recent memorywith an agenda overflowing with votes against Obamacare and barely any room for immigration.
Maybe yes. We could believe the speculation that House members might vote on some immigration bill after they get past their primaries without a Tea Party challenger. Or maybe not, following Boehner’s tortuous path.
What is certain is that today, comprehensive reform is halfway done and the House is determined to resist pressure from its allies to act according to the feelings of Americans.
A hunger strike is a silent scream, the most direct demonstration that endangers someone’s own life and, in this case, that seeks to move what at times seems immobile. It is a way to peacefully express frustration with a process that has been torpedoed many times, without losing hope, pointing out that this opportunity should not be wasted. Whether these activists will be successful with this measure of force is unpredictable. However, this should not prevent us from being with them and supporting them, because we share their frustration and their wish for comprehensive immigration reform.
