By Jose Parra

Contributor

Recent news coverage has centered much attention on D.C. and the continuing senatorial efforts from the so called “Gang of Eight” (a group of Democrat and Republican senators) to bring forward an immigration reform overhaul. Yet, with much of the haunting memories still vibrant in much of the American public’s mind, the fiscal cliff negotiations, continuing debate on gun control, etc., the simple question to ask is, will immigration reform take place or will it be subject to the stalemate that Washington is starting to be known for?

On June 11, 2012, Jim Rutenburg captured former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush’s take on Washington, in a New York Times article titled “Jeb Bush Questions G.O.P.’s Shift to Right.” Governor Bush held the line firm by stating that his father, 41st President George H.W. Bush, and former 40th President Ronald Reagan would have had a difficult time being vetted into the current wave of GOP politics. With this noted, is Governor Bush incorrect? I’ll let you be the judge of that.

It’s time for partisanship to be put aside for the sake of reasonable and fair policy-making in our great nation. Sure, I may take an over-simplistic view of what many cynics cry, “dirty politics.” However, immigration reform holds a high prospect for success. In fact, a recent study published in February by “Gallup” suggests that Americans would support an immigration reform package. When the subjects of the study were asked if they would support a law which would “allow undocumented immigrants living in the United States the chance to become legal residents or citizens if they meet certain requirements,” the respondents that voted in favor resulted in a 72 percent margin. Ultimately, the burden lies on these eight senators to bring forward the bipartisan support needed in congress to deliver a piece of legislation that can have a number of positive results, in particular, economic and social gains for our nation. Both parties are challenged to this task; no one is free from blame.

Let us not become a generation that becomes used to this stagnant, irreconcilable, and uncompromising political environment. Soon, it will be our generation that will be judged by the pen strokes of history, so let’s make sure we move forward.