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The DU Democrats and Republicans found several points of bipartisanship during a debate on immigration policies last Wednesday in the Davis Auditorium.
During the debate, which was attended by over 100 students and faculty, both parties agreed there was a need to create a simplified, faster process for undocumented immigrants to gain citizenship. They also said there was a need to make the border safer for both American citizens and immigrants and a need to reward hard-working undocumented workers who contribute to the economy.
“We are not here to cast moral judgements,” said Republican debater Vince Szilagyi. “We are here to ensure they become functioning members of society.”
Democrats agreed.
“Its the federal government’s job to provide a better path to citizenship,” said Democrat debater Jolan Remcsak.
The Republican debaters included Jacob Gunter, Vince Szilagyi and Emmanuel Rubio. The Democrats featured debaters Katie Law, Lauren Rosenthal and Jolan Remcsak. The debate offered additional raffle tickets for the presidential debate in October.
Professor Nancy Wadsworth moderated the debate and focused on four central questions, such as allowing immigrants to have in-state tuition and whether or not the U.S. government should secure the borders. The other issues addressed were what the government should do about undocumented immigrants already in the country and what effect illegal immigration has on the economy.
Each side was granted a three-minute opening and closing statement, with 10 minutes allotted in the middle for debate between the two sides.
“I think the debate really pointed out how frequently we agree,” said Republican debater Jacob Gunter. “We often imagine that we are so vehemently opposed, but we are actually very focused on similar types of reform.”
They also agreed the presence of coyotes and minutemen needed to be handled immediately to cease bloodshed on the border, which Republicans argued should be addressed through more border security, a notion disputed by the Democrats.
The question of border security became one of many points of contention between the two groups.
The Republicans argued for more secure borders in both the North and South, more secure coastlines and a broader use of technology in border control. They said unmanned predator drones, technological observatory towers and a reform of the coastguard should be used to seal the borders.
“By securing the border and utilizing technology, we are not only helping the United States, but also helping immigrants migrate legally and safely by streamlining the process,” said Gunter. “The longer we leave the border unsecured, the more we allow impact of minutemen and drug cartels.”
However, Democrats disputed the Republican proposal to use predator drones to patrol the border, which they said pose a threat to immigrants who would be caught by the heat-seeking probes.
Republicans countered by stating there are currently 15 of the probes in use along the border, and they do no physical harm to immigrants they discover.
“They are simply cameras flying along the border,” Gunter said.
Democrats argued for more reform and less increase in security and military.
“To increase border security is just to put a Band-Aid on the issue,” said Rosenthal.
There was also a lengthy debate about how undocumented immigrants already in the nation should be handled. Republicans called for an increase in work visas, allowing undocumented immigrants to continue temporary work in the country, along with an option to apply for legal citizenship.
Democrats said they disagreed with the idea of expanded visas.
“You are trying to integrate these workers with the lowest amount of work available,” said Remcsak.
“I think the Democrats had a much more emotional appeal than the Republicans did,” said Democrats president Kate Roberts. “I think it was a very spirited debate with lots of participation.”
The Democrats and Republicans will face off in one more debate this year during the spring quarter.
The specific date for that event is undecided.
