Ask Cynthia Buiza of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) or radio talk show host Doug McIntyre about their thoughts on Jamiel's Law, and they'll tell you. Each will overwhelm you with facts and examples, offering their well-argued standpoints on the issue until you find yourself agreeing with both sides -- despite their opposing views.
McIntyre, host of "McIntyre in the Morning", exemplifies the attractiveness of KABC and their sleek studios in his manner of talking (which is nonstop) and how he expresses himself. Standing behind the radio host's desk, McIntyre postulated about his feelings on Jamiel's Law and Special Order 40. A supporter of Jamiel's Law, McIntyre sees Special Order 40 as being "designed to protect an illegal immigrant community." McIntyre believes that by repealing Special Order 40, known illegal immigrant gang members can then be deported, making streets safer and avoiding another incident such as the killing of Jamiel Shaw, Jr..
"Every murderer off the streets is good. We have enough homegrown murderers without importing new ones," says McIntyre.
While McIntyre peppered facts into his statements to further his purposes, Buiza draped herself in facts and sought to make our group well-informed of the issue. A video documentary was shown, handouts were given; the media from CHIRLA sought to educate, but betrayed the fact that immigration rights were an uphill battle -- so much so that their presentation almost seemed to be overkill. CHIRLA is prepared to handle the task of being pushed against the fence by anti-immigrant groups, providing rebuttals to every argument against immigrant rights.
"[Special Order 40] is a small buffer between LAPD inquiring about immigrant status," says Buiza. "It's a whole slippery slope when you let LAPD [stop and question immigrants on immigration status]."
While not an issue that can be easily resolved, immigrant rights is a difficult debate fraught with emotional stories from those either against or for Jamiel's Law. There seems to be no "right" answer as to whether Jamiel's Law should be passed. Instead, the only move seems to be forward and whether voters decide to pass Jamiel's Law, only time can tell whether the move will be a positive one or not.
McIntyre, host of "McIntyre in the Morning", exemplifies the attractiveness of KABC and their sleek studios in his manner of talking (which is nonstop) and how he expresses himself. Standing behind the radio host's desk, McIntyre postulated about his feelings on Jamiel's Law and Special Order 40. A supporter of Jamiel's Law, McIntyre sees Special Order 40 as being "designed to protect an illegal immigrant community." McIntyre believes that by repealing Special Order 40, known illegal immigrant gang members can then be deported, making streets safer and avoiding another incident such as the killing of Jamiel Shaw, Jr..
"Every murderer off the streets is good. We have enough homegrown murderers without importing new ones," says McIntyre.
While McIntyre peppered facts into his statements to further his purposes, Buiza draped herself in facts and sought to make our group well-informed of the issue. A video documentary was shown, handouts were given; the media from CHIRLA sought to educate, but betrayed the fact that immigration rights were an uphill battle -- so much so that their presentation almost seemed to be overkill. CHIRLA is prepared to handle the task of being pushed against the fence by anti-immigrant groups, providing rebuttals to every argument against immigrant rights.
"[Special Order 40] is a small buffer between LAPD inquiring about immigrant status," says Buiza. "It's a whole slippery slope when you let LAPD [stop and question immigrants on immigration status]."
While not an issue that can be easily resolved, immigrant rights is a difficult debate fraught with emotional stories from those either against or for Jamiel's Law. There seems to be no "right" answer as to whether Jamiel's Law should be passed. Instead, the only move seems to be forward and whether voters decide to pass Jamiel's Law, only time can tell whether the move will be a positive one or not.
By Gabrielle Chua
August 31, 2008 1:16 AM
After reading this post, I can definitely understand why propositions and laws like these take so much of our policy-makers' times. How do I make an educated decision when emotional and slippery-slope outpours from both sides will continue to dramatize the issue? McIntyre's argument seems a little faulty in the whole get-the-foreign-gang-members-outta-here spew. I'm not convinced that this alone should be the reason Jamiel's Law should be passed. But then again, how would Buiza defend the fact that there are a number of gang members that aren't legally here? Either way, good post and display of both sides.