Bring immigrants out of the shadows

Monday’s “Day Without an Immigrant” went almost unnoticed in Laguna Beach.

With the exception of one or two restaurants and the Day Labor Center ? which closed so employees and laborers could attend the demonstrations ? it was business as usual in the hotels and dining spots that make up the backbone of the city’s economy.

But the issue of immigrants was apparently on the minds of city voters who tipped the scales in favor of Tom Harman over Diane Harkey.

In the aftermath of Harkey’s narrow loss to Harman for the Republican nomination for the 35th State Senate seat, some believe that Harkey lost votes in Laguna when she spoke out saying that the city’s day labor center should be shut down.

Few in Laguna want to go back to the days when job-seekers congregated on street corners.

In short, this is an issue that will not go away, even in relatively insulated Laguna.

In other areas, of course, the lack of participation by immigrants in the local economy was felt keenly.

There are a lot of conflicting forces at work in the immigration issue: migrants want to be allowed to work, and industries that depend upon cheap labor want the ability to employ them.

On the other hand, immigrant advocates want humane treatment of these vulnerable people ? and everyone wants secure borders.

One thing is clear: immigrants are here to stay; they are part of the fabric of American society. They should not be permitted to be “under the radar” any more.

The “Day Without an Immigrant” showed the outline of these invisible people, and the fact that it is vital to bring them out of the shadows, for the protection of all.