Something incredible was happening in Los Angeles. 500,000 people in white T-shirts (the color of peace) and with flags of Mexico, Guatemala, and some other countries from which more and more people are seeking to move to the United States, paralyzed traffic in this largest Californian city. More than 50,000 people also protested in Denver (Colorado), and 20,000 in Phoenix (Arizona).
People were driven to the streets by the new immigration legislation proposed by Republicans and hotly debated in the U.S. Congress these days. The main news is that if the innovations are approved, illegal presence in America will become a serious criminal offense. At the same time, there are currently about 11.5 million people living in the United States 'on bird's rights'. They are mainly engaged in agriculture, construction, and services, that is, they do the 'dirtiest' work.
Republicans propose to put illegals behind bars for at least a year and fine their employers. In addition, the bill provides for the modernization of the old wall along the border with Mexico. This 'fence' will become much higher, equipped with surveillance cameras, and helicopters will patrol the sky, apparently to make it harder for Mexican guest workers to reach their wealthy neighbor. The demonstrators believe that such measures are unacceptable for a country that was once built by immigrants, who are now its main and cheap labor force. The authorities, in turn, believe that these measures are necessary to ensure security in the country. Moreover, a complete ban is not yet being discussed. Those who want to find seasonal work will be allowed temporary stay. The question of what will happen to the millions of newcomers who have already settled in the United States remains open.
Similar passions may boil over in Europe as well. Recall that last week in the German city of Heiligendamm, the interior ministers of Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and France held consultations. They decided to start developing a special document containing a 'commitment to respect Western values' that immigrants entering these countries will be required to sign. The ministers did not provide details, but journalists from the British 'Guardian' managed to learn that the values in question are freedom of speech and respect for other religions. And to familiarize immigrants with liberal values, they will be given cassettes with recordings of women sunbathing topless or gay couples embracing. In addition, according to the publication, the European 'six', before allowing foreigners in, will check their knowledge of the language of the country where they intend to settle.
It is not a fact that all entrants will be able to pass this test, because, as a rule, these are not very educated people. However, they apply for work that a native European is unlikely to take, so there is a need for them. Hence, the future of the European ministers' initiative looks rather vague.
Elena OGNEVA.
Novye Izvestia