Interview. Manuel Pastor is Professor of Sociology and American and Ethnic Studies at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. There he directs the Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration and the Center for Equity Research.
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Actress and singer Jennifer Lopez spoke a few words in Spanish (a phrase from the pledge of allegiance to the American flag) during her performance during Joe Biden’s investiture ceremony. What is the scope of this gesture?
It was a cultural signal, a symbol. But the important thing is the reality of what has been announced. Joe Biden’s speech was a highlight. A declaration of war against white supremacy. And the first bill his administration announced is immigration reform.
The situation is very different from the Obama era. Barack Obama inherited the economic crisis of 2008. He postponed the reform of health care, and that of immigration until his second term. It was a huge frustration for all the activists who had campaigned for him with the idea that social and racial justice would be a priority in his administration.
Joe Biden is facing a health crisis of unprecedented severity for a century. An economic crisis more serious than the financial crisis of 2008, in terms of the impact on the lives of people with low incomes. Despite everything, the first commitment he made is in favor of immigration reform.
It is an ambitious reform. It aims to offer rapid regularization of undocumented migrants: five years for permanent resident status, and after three more years, citizenship.
Are you satisfied with the announced plan?
It is an ambitious reform. It aims to offer rapid regularization of undocumented migrants: five years for permanent resident status, and after three more years, citizenship. It also includes an accelerated regularization component for “dreamers” (young people arriving before the age of 16) and beneficiaries of temporary protection status (TPS).
Congress will certainly dilute it. Republicans are going to oppose it, and probably a few Democrats, but it’s heartwarming that Biden is starting with an ambitious sign, not half-measures. The weight of hatred is lifted.
Is this a manifestation of the importance that the Latin vote has assumed in 2020?
Joe Biden recognizes that he has a commitment to those who elected him. In his speech, he sends all the necessary signals: he calls for unity, he wants to be the president of all Americans, but his first initiative reflects the concerns of people of color and of the working class. His stimulus plan, his proposal to increase the minimum wage: these are also strong gestures where he says: “I know who voted for me. “
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