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La reforma migratoria: paso a paso

Hay un proverbio chino que dice: "un viaje de 1000 millas comienza con un solo paso." El hecho de que pudimos llegar a un acuerdo sobre la reforma migratoria fue ese "paso" - un logro extraordinario, del cual estoy orgulloso de haber podido ayudar a alcanzar.
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Como miembro del grupo bipartidista de los ocho en el Senado, me gustaría reflexionar sobre la introducción del proyecto de ley para reformar nuestro sistema migratorio. Hay un proverbio chino que dice: "un viaje de 1000 millas comienza con un solo paso." El hecho de que pudimos llegar a un acuerdo sobre la reforma migratoria fue ese "paso" - un logro extraordinario, del cual estoy orgulloso de haber podido ayudar a alcanzar.

Esta propuesta arregla nuestro sistema migratorio, asegura nuestras fronteras, ayuda a la economía estadounidense, y preserva nuestra tradición como un país compuesto por inmigrantes.

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Este proyecto de ley provee un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los 11 millones de indocumentados que viven en los Estados Unidos. El camino, que tomará 13 años, establece una serie de requisitos de sentido común que son duros pero justos, incluyendo verificaciones de antecedentes, multas y sanciones, el pago de impuestos, y el aprendizaje de un nivel de inglés básico. No será fácil, pero las reglas serán claras. Esta propuesta no le regala nada a nadie; esta propuesta establece un camino para obtener derechos y responsabilidades merecidas a través de esfuerzos y trabajo duro.

Las familias se reunificarán por medio de una clausula de la propuesta que permite la reunificación inmediata de los residentes permanentes con sus cónyuges e hijos menores de edad.

Las personas con solicitudes de residencia permanente pendientes recibirán prioridad y preferencia sobre los 11 millones de indocumentados que ya se encuentran en nuestro país. Y la legislación fortalece aún más la seguridad fronteriza con un plan de 5 años para conseguir un nivel de eficacia de 90 por ciento y vigilancia permanente.

Pero quizás una de las mayores victorias de esta legislación es que proporciona una de las grandes promesas de los Estados Unidos: la promesa de mejores oportunidades, la cual inspiró a mis padres a que vinieran a los Estados Unidos de Cuba. Este proyecto de ley le ofrece mejores oportunidades a aquellos indocumentados que han estado aquí, contribuyendo a la economía de los Estados Unidos, viviendo en constante temor de la deportación y la explotación. Aunque sus vidas comenzaron afuera de los Estados Unidos, esta propuesta le brinda mejores oportunidades a los DREAMers - los jóvenes que fueron traídos a este país por sus padres, quienes a través de toda su vida sólo han jurado lealtad a la bandera de los Estados Unidos, y el único himno que conocen es el himno nacional de este país.
Nuestra legislación nos da la esperanza de que no volveremos a ver casos como el de Vidal Tapia, quien después de graduarse con honores en el 2011 de la Escuela Internacional de Paterson, se enfrentó a una expulsión por 10 años de los Estados Unidos por ser uno de los miles de DREAMers en nuestro país. Esta propuesta también reconoce el patriotismo de personas como el cabo José Gutiérrez, quien sacrificó su vida por esta nación al ser el primer fallecido estadounidense en la guerra de Irak - un soldado que murió soñando con ser un ciudadano americano.

Sería negligente de mi parte no reconocer el admirable esfuerzo bipartidista que forjó este proyecto de ley, que pudo unir a aliados poco probables - entre ellos el senador Charles Schumer de Nueva York y el senador John McCain de Arizona - para así encontrar soluciones permanentes a los complicados problemas de nuestro sistema migratorio. Las negociaciones no fueron fáciles, pero siempre se mantuvo la buena fe. Al final, el "Grupo de los 8" logró su objetivo.

Espero que todos mis colegas en el Congreso siguán los pasos del "Grupo de los 8" y nos ayuden a arreglar nuestro sistema migratorio roto al aprobar una reforma migratoria integral este mismo año.

Robert Menéndez, senador demócrata de Nueva Jersey, miembro del "Grupo de los 8", y Presidente del Comité de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado.

Reforma Migratoria
Immigration Reform(01 of15)
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(credit:AP)
Activists Rally For Comprehensive Immigration Reform In Washington(02 of15)
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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 08: Latinos and immigrants participate in a rally on immigration reform in front of the White House on November 8, 2012 in Washington, DC. Immigrant rights organizations called on President Barack Obama to fulfill his promise of passing comprehensive immigration reform. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of15)
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Members of immigration rights organizations, including Casa in Action and Maryland Dream Act, demonstrate in front of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, calling on President Barack Obama to fulfill his promise of passing comprehensive immigration reform. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) (credit:AP)
(04 of15)
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FILE - In this Tuesday, June 15, 2010 file photo, immigration reform advocates march around the Federal Courthouse in downtown Denver. The group, which had more than 100 protesters, marched from the Colorado state Capitol to the federal courts to call for changes in the nation's immigration laws. Colorado's results for the 2012 presidential election will undoubtedly turn, in part, on Hispanics, who account for about 20 percent of the population in the state, and have, so far, overwhelmingly favored the president. Immigration actually ranks third in importance in polling of Hispanics, with the economy and education rating No. 1 and No. 2, says Floyd Ciruli, a Denver pollster. But, he says, "it's almost a litmus test issue - do you have at least sympathy and understand the issues we're dealing with?" (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (credit:AP)
Barack Obama(05 of15)
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FILE - In this May 10, 2011 file photo, audience members listen to President Barack Obama speak about immigration reform at Chamizal National Memorial Park in El Paso, Texas. In advance of the November presidential election, the Obama campaign is wooing Hispanics with TV and radio ad campaigns accentuating positive messages. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) (credit:AP)
(06 of15)
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FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2011 photo, college student Jasmine Oliver, of Warwick, R.I., top left, and Javier Gonzalez, of Pawtucket, R.I., top right, display a banner and shout their support for allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates while attending public colleges in the state, during a Board of Governors of Higher Education meeting on the campus of the Community College of Rhode Island, in Warwick, R.I. But research varies on the effects of resident tuition rates for illegal immigrants, including on enrollment, and students may still face a tough road even if they graduate with a college degree: Without passage of the DREAM Act or other federal immigration reform, illegal immigrant students have no pathway to legal status, and it remains illegal for employers to hire them. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (credit:AP)
(07 of15)
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Antony Lopez, 10, left, Hillary Lopez, 11, and Angelita Lopez, 6, all of Arlington, Va., wear shirts that read "Don't Deport My Mom" next to their mother, Viviana Oxlaj, during a rally in support of immigration reform and the DREAM Act in Lafayette Park outside the White House in Washington, on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
Luis Gutierrez(08 of15)
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Supporters of the DREAM Act, including Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., third from right, wait to be arrested while performing an act of civil disobedience at a rally for supporting the DREAM Act and immigration reform outside the White House in Washington, on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
(09 of15)
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FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2012 file photo, immigrant advocates use an image of New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez on a mock state driver's license during a rally in Santa Fe. A new poll has found that nearly three-fourths of New Mexico voters oppose a state law that allows immigrant immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. The poll commissioned by The Albuquerque Journal found that 71 percent of the states likely voters are against the 2003 state law. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras,File) (credit:AP)
US-VOTE-2012-DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION(10 of15)
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A demonstrator holds a sign supporting rights for undocumented immigrants at the 'March On Wall Street South' rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of the Democratic National Convention on September 2, 2012. Hundreds of people chanting slogans and carrying signs against and for an assortment of different causes marched through the city to protest what they said was seedy corporate influence on politics. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of15)
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FILE - In this July 15, 2011 file photo, demonstrators hold signs in New York during a rally to condemn an immigration and customs enforcement program known as Secure Communities, and ICE's alleged refusal to meet with directly impacted immigrants. The signs read in Spanish "Deportations destroy our families." (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) (credit:AP)
Tanya Hernandez(12 of15)
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Tanya Hernandez, 4, demonstrates at a pro-immigration rally with others with the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights, Tuesday June 26, 2012 at City Hall in Los Angeles. The group was reacting to Monday's Supreme Court decision to overturn three parts of the Arizona law but uphold a section that requires police to check the status of people who might appear to be in the U.S. illegally. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) (credit:AP)
(13 of15)
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Dozens of demonstrators protest at a "Right to Dream" rally Thursday May 17, 2012 in Los Angeles. The demonstrators were protesting the deportation of illegal immigrants by the Obama Administration. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) (credit:AP)
Maria Sofia, Malendez Campos, (14 of15)
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Students Maria Sofia, left, and Malendez Campos, protest at a "Right to Dream" rally Thursday May 17, 2012 in Los Angeles. The Demonstrators were protesting the deportation of illegal immigrants by the Obama Administration. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) (credit:AP)
Activists Protest Outside Immigration Court Building In Chicago(15 of15)
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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: Father Jose Landaverde and Emma Lazano sit in front of the building which houses immigration court during a protest May 15, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The two where later arrested along with at least two others at the protest where demonstrators were calling for immigration reform. This was the second day of protests in what is expected to be a full week of demonstrations as the city prepares to host the NATO Summit May 20-21. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

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