-By Cecilia Hong
Thomas Saenz, chief counsel for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, visited USC Law on April 4 to discuss the future of immigration policies in California and the United States. The lunchtime talk was sponsored by the La Raza Law Students Association and the International Relations Organization.
In his discussion with students, Saenz focused on immigration’s effect on the country and the world. Saenz also related the immigration issue to the country’s assimilation practices, primarily those involving education.
Saenz began his talk by defining immigration as a transnational policy. Immigration in the U.S. is an international policy issue rather than a domestic one because “every country has an engagement with the U.S” he said.
For Saenz, the question of immigration should not be limited to America, but addressed globally. America is not the only country that deals with immigration issues. For instance, Saenz said, immigration is an equally valid concern in Europe. The only difference is that in Europe, immigration is about race, while in America, “it’s about cultural change.”
However, because there is no one culture that accurately defines what is American, it is impossible for immigrants to change the identity and culture of this country, Saenz said. Therefore, he believes immigration in America “is about political principles” and who has the power to make the rules that govern society.
Immigration is closely tied to this country’s assimilation practices, Saenz said. Assimilation practices such as education are an “an important part of any integration policy because success in education is critical to long-term integration of an immigrant population.” Specifically, “municipal governments need to…improve urban education.”
Successful integration policies and practices, such as improving education, can alleviate the fears that are associated with immigrants influencing cultural change—one of the reasons why the Mayor wants school districts in Los Angeles to join him in fighting for better educational opportunities, Saenz said.
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