Sen. Durbin visits U.S.-Mexican board with Vice President; says there’s still a problem

Posted on June 29, 2021
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited the boarder last Friday with the Vice President. (Twitter/Senator Dick Durbin)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Shortly after accompanying the vice president on a visit to the U.S.-Mexican border near El Paso, Tex., U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says there’s still a problem.

“What has happened at our border desperately needs to be addressed in Washington. We hear a lot of critics in Congress about the situation. I have really challenged them: join me! Let’s do some bipartisan work to rebuild our immigration laws. We have not changed the immigration laws of this country significantly in 35 years. 35 years!

“And the world has changed dramatically.”

At a local event in Springfield, Durbin said when you talk border security – don’t take it out on the kids, referring to the Trump administration’s separation policy.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…