July 5, 2007

I just concluded  a piece on the delaying tactics used by our government in granting citizenships to many Arabs and Muslims. Often we read and talk about illegal immigration and how it "hurts' America. But little is ever mentioned about the plight of thousands of Arabs and Muslims who have lived  here legally for many years but their application for citizenship is , I will argue, purposefully delayed. The problem is widespread and its ramifications  are many.  Senator Menendez, D-NJ  offered, unsuccessfully, an  amendment to the recent immigration bill to prioritize the visa issuance favoring first those who are here legally and  have requested and an adjustment of status. We laud the Senator and  will push for  his continued involvement in this issue when we meet with him in August.  To read the 'rough" draft of my piece, please click here. To read a shortened version of the op-ed which appears today in the Bergen Record, please click here. Here again is an opportunity for you to send supporting letters to the editor on this important subject. letterstotheeditor@northjersey.com