Illinois Immigrants Under Attack
Local Resolutions Reflect Historical Politics of Hate

By Jennifer M. Kons 
Administrative Projects Assistant 
llinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Nineteenth century Irish immigrants knew all too well the history of oppression and exclusion doled out by nativist groups trying to "protect and preserve America." Coming to the United States mostly as poor, unskilled laborers, the Irish filled indispensable but undesirable jobs such as building the great canals and streetcar rails. Yet, for their hard work and perseverance, Irish were welcomed with signs like "Irish need not apply!" 

While many came to the United States for a better life, nativist groups sought to dash those hopes and squelch any sign of "non-Americanness." By focusing on a community’s differences from the mainstream, immigrants were ostracized and marginalized from communities. Nevertheless, within a few generations, Irish immigrants were climbing the ladders of social and economic mobility, sharing their customs while being truly American

Just as yesterday’s nativists and racists sought to magnify the differences of immigrants, antagonizing the country against newcomers, the remnants of those groups are up to the same old tricks. Xenophobia again fuels nativist groups to intimidate and ostracize newcomers. Today’s environment is further complicated by issues of legal status, racial profiling, and a badly broken immigration system. 

In Illinois, places like Carpentersville and Waukegan reflect the fear-mongering that these groups use to further their agenda. English–only resolutions or authorizing the police to arrest undocumented immigrants are only the beginning of local backlash at today’s immigrants. Instead, we need to focus on the broken immigration system that prevents integration into American society. We need to overcome the politics of hate and racism that have gripped immigrants for centuries.

Today’s Latino, Muslim, Arab, European, African, and Asian immigrants want what the Irish wanted (and still want): to work for a better life. Like all of history’s immigrants who have landed on our shores, today’s immigrants are pursuing the American Dream one generation at a time. This history of the immigrant is one that the Irish already know, but do we recognize the inflammatory, malicious, and distorting politics of hate carried out again today? Are we willing to work against them for real immigration solutions? 

For more information, contact Mehrdad Azemun, Director of Organizing, I (312-332-7360, ext. 214; mazemun@icirr.org.

Editor’s Note: On August 10, 2007, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the Bush Administration’s immigration proposal and the new Social Security no-match regulations.

"Sadly, the Administration’s proposal would make our immigration crisis worse. Without strong new laws, the Administration’s plan will do little to enhance our security and will hurt millions of immigrant families who are contributing so much to our communities and our economy. The new Social Security no-match regulations will only exacerbate the already serious problems of our immigration system by causing even more confusion about who can be hired, resulting in the unjust firings of legal workers who look foreign and driving more hard-working people into the shadows. 

Today’s proposal is prime example of the need for a comprehensive overhaul of our nation’s outdated immigration laws. Senate Democrats voted for real reform and for the sake of the nation it’s high time for Republicans to join in that effort."

In addition, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., expressed deep concerns over the Bush Administration’s recently unveiled immigration plan. The measures include increasing the use of state and local law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws, expanding raids at workplace sites, and implementing new Social Security "no match" regulations that could put millions of Americans at risk of losing their jobs.

"Today the Bush administration put forth a set of measures disguised as immigration enforcement which amounts to an assault on the civil rights of all Hispanic Americans," stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. 

"The package of measures announced today will result in the racial profiling of all working Latinos. In effect, what these measures will do is impose a substantial burden on a subset of our citizens which is based entirely on the color of their skin, their accent, or their name," continued Murguía.

"Frankly," she added, "this plan is such a dramatic shift from President Bush’s previous strong support of the need for comprehensive immigration reform that it seems to be a complete reversal of his position. I call on President Bush to meet with leaders of the Hispanic community to explain how this package of discriminatory measures squares with his stated desire for immigration reform that is consistent with American values." 

"Finally, Congress should not escape accountability. Congressional opponents of real immigration reform have been targeting legal immigrants and even U.S. citizens in recent debates. The distinction between undocumented and legal immigration and between immigrants and Latinos has been deliberately blurred. It is the responsibility of congressional leaders to halt the scapegoating, do their job and fix our nation’s broken immigration system," concluded Murguía.