US needs humane immigration reform

In the battle over US immigration reform, many are questioning what roles Mexicans have in the United States, specifically in the military.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon visited Arlington National Cemetery as a symbolic gesture to recognize the Latinos and Mexican-Americans serving in the US Armed Forces.

In the past Mexican leaders have refused to visit the site because some of the Marines buried there took part in the 1914 US military seizure of the Mexican port of Veracruz.

Enrique Morones, a pro-immigration activist and the founder of Border Angels said Calderon’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery recognizes the sacrifices of the many Mexican-Americans buried there.

The visit comes as some argue that the military disproportionately targets Latino and low-income communities, where residents feel that their best option for a better life is to join the armed forces.

“We need to do something about the situation. Pass the Dream Act, for example, so the kids can continue with education and have a choice for the military, not be forced to go into the military,” said Morones.

Morones would like Calderon to be stronger in his opposition to the new Arizona Immigration law and work to secure humane immigration reform.

“Every day we do not have immigration reform two people die crossing the border,” said Morones.

Morones said that everyone agrees that the system is broken, but the problem needs to be solved in a way that respects the humanity of immigrants and does not involve racial profiling. 

“Human rights has no borders,” he said.