Progressives must get off the fence on immigration

by Karl Hardy

Yesterday was a big day on the issue of immigration both here in the 2nd Congressional district and across Indiana.

Rep. Joe Donnelly held a news conference to report back on his recent trip to the USA/Mexico border and to tout his support for the SAVE act. See "Donnelly Watch" for discussion of Donnelly's apparent pandering to some ridiculous far-right ideas of deporting immigrants and some disturbing excuses for targeting our community's Hispanic population.

Also, SB 0335 passed out of committee- a bill that the Indianapolis Star yesterday said would be "one of the nation's toughest illegal immigration bills." This bill now will likely go to the House Ways and Means committee.

Progressives need to be active in contacting both Donnelly and our Indiana legislators and letting them know that we oppose the scapegoating of immigrants for political points. With reactionary, and even sometimes overtly racist and xenophobic forces working to blame immigrants as a solution for complex problems, we have a responsibility to stand up for what's right.