Of course, we are of the opinion that to succeed in Immigration Reform, it will take three to five pieces of legislation and spread out over a time frame of five to ten years.  Otherwise, our political rhetoric will be aptly recognized for the rhetoric it is in our quest for success, and sadly, without containing the inclusive and inherent political principles important to a national coalition that truly defines the past successes of the Democratic Party.  As such, to go forward, requires a 'metric' in which to measure this, our perceived and reputable high Moral Ground.

Consequently, we offer to you and for your consideration, our "first" plank of an Agenda for Humility and Self-Restraint with respect to Immigration Reform.

                                 Our Littlest Citizens

The historical migration pattern among the Undocumented or Unauthorized Immigrants has proven that 95% will return to the their nation of origin and during a lifetime of employment, will visit the United States three times.  And for ease of understanding, these employees and as parents will amply demonstrate that they will have one of their family members born here in the United States.  Thus, our newest and Littlest Citizen.

At the completion of their visit to the United States, our newest and littlest citizen will be repatriated with their parents upon return to their familial nation of origin.  Moreover, we as society and inclusive of our institutions, will have no knowledge of where they went on these unknown paths, and our national pride in citizenship has flown out the window and never to be seen again until some unfortunate incident with law enforcement should occur, and bring it to the surface and for public consumption on the nightly or evening news.

Additionally, our institutions have no readily available knowledge in the numbers of our littlest citizens, and hence, the locations of any residence in these nations of origin.  Also too, our institutions have no readily available knowledge on whether our littlest citizens are receiving three 'squares' a day; are receiving decent health care; are receiving any qualitative educational experiences;  are living in anything beyond a hovel; and this litany of concern could go on and on, and endlessly.  And any evidence to the contrary, can only be found in anecdotal or familial stories where our shame and embarrassment as a nation, is front and center.  As such, no one gives a damn!  Be we here at the Chicano Veterans Organization, do give a damn, and of course, our "Open Letter" to our national leaders of good repute.

If so, then, things need to change and immediately.  And equally important, we expect our Elected and Appointed Officials to act both responsibly and intelligently when sitting down at the Decision-Making Table.  To date, this behavior has been absent and obviously abundant by virtue of  this absence.  As such, we are petitioning and demanding of our government, that this change in behavior and in politics, must occur in order to address our demands and hopefully, to our satisfaction.

In closing, we are requesting that our Littlest Citizens be found, be protected from any detrimental economic environment, and be provided with the financial sustenance necessary to live beyond survival.  Additionally, decency and fairness requires that the parents of our littlest citizens be given a first and priority preference for any and all visas if necessary and which includes a short-term path to citizenship, as well.  And at a minimum, these parents should be accorded the opportunity and the respect that our national Humility and Self-Restraint demands of us all.  Thusly, extending this opportunity may also result in the parents' exercising their preference for not accepting our citizenship, but that is also their Choice, given that they will be having to reject their ongoing citizenship in their nation of origin.  And fairness and decency dictates our being pro-active in addressing the 'needs' of our Littlest Citizens and which heretofore, have been dismissed, neglected, and ignored given our embarassing and historical behavior as a nation.  

The Sonoran Desert Adage of "The only thing that changes in America, is its history" should not be the focal point, but we must emphasize our personal and professional responsiblity and behavior for "shaping" our future together.

Respectfully Submitted.

The Policy Board
Chicano Veterans Organization
Phoenix, Arizona
June 1, 2007

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Jaango