Texas delegation must lead compromise decision on immigration

Having this month celebrated the 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, it is troubling when we compare the actions of the leaders of our country at that time with the leaders of today.

Particularly because a recent poll of the people expressed the highest appreciation of the leaders in 1776 and the lowest appreciation of our current Congress.

Good, strong-willed men back then (and men and women today) were and are elected by the people to represent the best interest of the country. There were strong differences of opinion then, as there are today. When the resolution of Independence first was introduced June 7, there was heated debate, with no resolution thereof.

A committee was appointed, made up of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain. On July 2, a vote was held by the Continental Congress on the formal declaration with the New York delegation at first abstaining, but later joining in affirmation July 4, making it a unanimous declaration by all 13 colonies.

Contrast the action of our Founders with the actions of today’s Congress, especially our Texas delegation on the subject of Immigration.

The Senate in 2006 passed the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill (62-36) and again in 2013 (68-32). Our two senators have been on the wrong side (my opinion) both times providing no leadership, but at least the majority/bipartisan of the Senate has acted twice.

The House never voted on either bill. This year, the House of Representatives has voted twice but has not been able to pass anything. Ironically, President Trump two months ago laid out a blueprint that could have become the compromise and could have received overwhelming support (not unanimous). However, the so-called conservative right and the liberal left objected, and the president changed his mind.

With all due respect to my Republican friends, how can you continue to blame Democrats when you are in the majority in both the Senate and the House and control the White House.

Without congressional action, we still have 11 million undocumented workers and too many illegal aliens (criminals). We have children being separated from their parents. We have farms that need more workers to harvest their crops and milk their cows. We have chaos imposed by our leaders (not the press) and laughingly being blamed on the minority party, especially here in Texas.

We need a bipartisan Immigration bill that provides a system that works and people can understand while also securing our borders. Very few, if any, believe we can have an open border. We need an immigration system that allows sufficient workers to fill jobs in construction and service, that an aging country such as the USA must have to grow and prosper.

We must address the 11 million who have broken our laws and determine the punishment (fine)? We need total acceptance of English as a second language. There is a compromise to be reached.

But for now, this is an election year where we pick our leaders.

Mexico just elected a new president who promises big changes (hopefully for the better) for our neighbor. With polls showing congressional approval ratings at 18 percent, all incumbents should be nervous. Both of our parties by their actions have lost support of the people.

 Recent polls show 27 percent consider themselves Republican, 29 percent Democrat, and 43 percent independent. We are a border state. Texas must be a leading voice in the Immigration policy of our country in the mold of our Founders.

Compromise on strong beliefs and get the job done. The actions of our congressional delegation show clearly the current crop are not up to the job, unless we are getting what the people of Texas want?

We shall see.

Charlie Stenholm is a former longtime U.S. representative from West Texas who today lives in Granbury and also is adjunct instructor in Ag and Consumer Science at Tarleton State University.