Well, I'm honored to have been chosen as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Advocacy Liaison for the Arizona Chapter.  Truth be told, I'm not sure whether there were any other applicants, however, be that as it may, it is an honor nevertheless.  Specifically, my job description will be as follows:

 As a member of the Team, the liaisons join regular conference calls to receive legislative updates and discuss opportunities for chapter engagement in national advocacy strategies. They are also charged with disseminating pertinent legislative updates, promoting advocacy to their chapters, and reporting back to AILA National about relevant state and local politics and opportunities. The liaison is also involved in National Day of Action preparations by either coordinating the Chapter’s lobby team or by delegating that responsibility to another member of the Chapter.

Many have assumed that the change in administration would make reform a cakewalk.  They would be wrong.  We underestimated the grassroots organization skills of the anti-reform folks.  We should not make the same mistake again.  We must join together and organize our efforts to bring about the change that will help our country move forward instead of being satisfied with the system as it is now.

Immigration law, as it stands now, is broken.  Our current policy of deporting as many people as possible has not made a dent in the undocumented population, nor has it served to be an employment boon for those legally here.  In fact, the closures of businesses that cater to Latinos, in particular, has itself created further unemployment among US Citizens.  The closure of Food City here in Arizona immediately comes to mind.  That is only one example.  Furthermore,  the law now breaks apart families, leaves children without parents, and creates a shadow population numbering in the millions. Who are they?  Where are they? What are they doing?

The immigration system does not provide us with security, economic or otherwise.  It needs to be changed.  It must be changed.  Follow me @dballecer on Twitter and let's make it happen.