I sat in a roundtable with New York Governor David Paterson recently and other members of the city's Caribbean media. The meeting was called to grab the Governor's ears on a few items including the Immigration Bill being drafted in Washington. When asked by Pastor Gilford Monrose of Mount Zion Church of God in Brooklyn about immigration, one of the Governor's responses (and I'm paraphrasing) was that when people immigrate to this country, it's a wonderful thing and it works but now that they're here, they don't want anyone else let in.

He's absolutely right.

Historically speaking, only Native Americans should have the right to be selective. Everyone else, or their ancestors, had to arrive here and make a home. Considering a good chunk of the Western United States belonged to Mexico not too long ago, I hope that our lawmakers do what's necessary to make sure the 12 million immigrants in this country legally can be put on the path to citizenship fairly and equitably. The reasons that have historically been given against comprehensive reform... i.e. immigrants taking all the jobs, immigrants being criminals, etc. are ludicrous. And considering the President is a son of Africa, I'd be really surprised if he played the middle on this one.

I'm praying and hoping that our elected officials do the right thing. Could you imagine a Brooklyn without the West Indian Day Parade? Or a Miami without Calle Ocho? I can't, which is why this country needs immigration reform now.

Shanida Smith Carter is a television producer and writer in New York City. She also teaches college courses on the Latin American and Caribbean Diaspora. She lives in New Jersey with her husband. BBN looks forward to her coverage and perspective.