(TargetLiberty.org) – Tensions between longtime and newly arrived migrants have increased, especially as many minority communities believe that government benefits are being distributed unequally.
Particularly in big cities, many mixed-status and undocumented families believe that the government is overlooking them while allowing new arrivals the required work permits. They further pointed out how differently spending on shelters for asylum-seekers is viewed when compared to the scarce social programs that are available for communities of color.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) stated that the narrative was being misconstrued to make it seem like the newly arrived immigrants were residing in “plush conditions” when this was not the truth. He added that the new arrivals were going through very hard conditions.
The tension in major Democratic cities including Chicago and New York has increased as for decades community leaders and elected officials have attempted to use their resources to organize their constituents. However, these attempts have had limited success.
Illinois Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D) stated that there were many mixed-status families that had resided in the United States for decades and who had been working and paying taxes. He added that these law-abiding people were the ones who were frustrated by the current situation.
He noted that part of this is coming from the fact that community, religious, and political leaders have previously told them that by advocating for themselves and marching in favor of pro-immigration reform events there could be some change.
The latest immigration reform, as is understood by the majority of the government, was enacted in 1986. Since then, there has been a large change in the migration pattern and everything regarding the status and demographics of migrants.
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