Out of the shadows, strangers no more

Today's immigration march from the Central District into downtown Seattle is an expression of frustration with U.S. immigration policies that is shared by most Americans.

Newcomers to this country, and longtime residents living at the edges of society, deserve a clear, legal pathway to citizenship. Congress is duty-bound to offer a floodtide of immigrants — overwhelmingly Latino — a realistic set of rules for becoming part of the American story. Clarity has a second purpose: to provide for unambiguous enforcement of immigration laws.

The U.S. is a nation of immigrants — a sentiment and expression that has not become trite with repeated use. Waves of immigrants are drawn to this country by economic catastrophe in abandoned homelands, the unbridled opportunities offered here and political stability. Most encountered a hostile reception — the Irish, Germans, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese. African Americans were transported here in chains.

The latest arrivals are hardly a threat. Latinos anchor the foundations of an economy that is too often out of sight and mind. Working at the lowest levels of the economic food chain, they are ripe for exploitation. They work in jobs that afford them little protection against injury or abusive labor practices.

Elements of today's march are at once incredibly brave and foolhardy. Walking off jobs in pursuit of economic dignity and social justice is a display of courage. The same act squanders a precious day's wages and puts employment at risk. Maybe such commitment gives the march its power.

The answer to the issues of human, civil and labor rights bound up in the march is a predictable path to citizenship. Illegal immigrants must be documented for their own sake and the larger community. The nation must be able to quantify those within its borders en route to making them full members of society, with the mix of rights, privileges and obligations that go with legal status.

Immigrant labor must be fully compensated and just as fully taxed for the Social Security, education and social services they receive. The system can only tax and legally protect those it can see. Bring the immigrant labor force out of the shadows. Acknowledge and respect their contribution with coherent regulations.

Embedded in the recent flurry of marches is a sense that now is the time for Latinos to push for social justice and for greater economic and political clout. Their numerical presence and productive contributions to society make policy and administrative reforms a priority for Congress, especially in a nation of immigrants.

Provide a clear, legal and enforceable pathway to citizenship.