SANTA FE, NM (By Jon Garrido, The Jon Garrido Network) January 21, 2012 ― On October 27, 2008, as founder of The Blue Dogs of the Democratic Party, I wrote the Blue Dogs endorsement of Barack Obama, "Blue Dogs Endorse Barack Obama for President." The Blue Dogs gave considerable thought to this endorsement because Hispanics were our largest membership component with Immigration Reform being our highest priority.

Some 60 days ago, I concluded of all Republican presidential candidates, Newt Gingrich was the only one who had opened the door for Immigration Reform. I remember as though it was yesterday, Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and was instrumental in spearheading landmark reform legislation through Congress but I needed to know if Gingrich had the right stuff to become president. 60 days ago I bought six books written by Gingrich and began reading what this man thinks and what he proposes on how Washington can restore values and jobs leading to a re-birth of America. Gingrich is a prolific author with some writings impressive but some obviously written just to sell books. He does provide some solutions to take America to a higher of level but what was apparent is most readers probably accept at face value what Gingrich proposes for most Americans have no understanding of how Washington works.

In Winning the Future, Gingrich writes, "The United States has a special place in this vision of a Continent of Hope. We are a very special nation because we are founded on a revolutionary idea: That we are created equal ― citizen and non-citizen alike ― and endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

"The idea of America as a Continent of Hope carries both privileges and responsibilities for the people of the United states. It means every person has an inherent human dignity that must be respected, including those who are in our country illegally. But it also means that all of us must respect the laws that have been passed to ensure freedom and security. As Pope John Paul II recognized, 'The Rule of Law is the necessary condition for establishing true democracy.'"

"In fulfilling a vision of America as the Continent of Hope, two values are inextricably linked: our compassion for those who come to our country for a better life and our commitment to the Rule of Law. Just as we would betray this vision by turning our backs on the poverty and injustice suffered by our neighbors, we would also undermine the very foundation of our nation by tolerating eleven million people in our midst in open violation for our laws. If we fail to abide by either of these values, we risk becoming less of the nation our Founders and Pope John Paul II believe we could be, and which we have been for 230 years."

"But how we reconcile this inspiring vision of America with the day-to-day demands of controlling our borders? To build a Continent of Hope we need a system of 'patriotic immigration.' Patriotic immigration means knowing that all immigrants to our country are legal and accounted for, and that once they're here, they learn to be Americans."

Americans would Agree with Gingrich Except Washington can Change the Rule of Law 

All Americans would agree with Gingrich but Gingrich is playing a word game with us. To those outside Washington, the above is what makes us Americans but for those who are familiar with what influences Washington, all in Washington know if you want to change federal law, a lobbyist from K Street is hired to begin to lobby a member of Congress to propose new law, repeal, or modify existing law.

This is where the nuts and bolts of Federal law has its beginning to persuade a member of Congress to sponsor new Federal legislation with the intent of becoming Federal law also labeled the Rule of Law.

This where the Cuban American Congressional Members of Congress have been highly successful in sponsoring and obtaining passage of Cuban Immigration programs enabling Cubans to freely enter the United States.

Unfortunately, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus controlled by Puerto Ricans because of lack of interest has never been successful in spearheading immigration reform to facilitate ease of entry for Mexicans, Central and South Americans.

These actions or rather lack of action is why there are presently two very different United States Immigration Polices for Hispanics/Latinos. One policy is the friendly welcome initiative for Cubans and the other polar opposite is for Mexicans, Central and South American countries and is a draconian maze with the primary intent of keeping Mexicans, Central and South Americans from entering the United States.

Both policies follow the "Rule of Law" but why is there two very different policies? Gingrich writes "We are a very special nation because we are founded on a revolutionary idea: That we are created equal ― citizen and non-citizen alike."

If this premise holds true for all then why is there two very different immigration policies or rather, two Rules of Law ― One for Cubans and a vastly different policy/Rule of Law for all other Hispanics/Latinos?

To bring immigration policy back to the principle of equality for all as defined in the U.S. Constitution, the immigration policy for Mexicans, Central and South Americans must be changed by passage of new Immigration Reform mandating only one policy/Rule of Law for all Hispanics/Latinos.

Then and only then would the Rule of Law be equally applied to all and would reflect the intent of the authors of the U.S. Constitution for the Rule of Law to be equally applicable to all.

If Gingrich accepts this and spearheads new Immigration Reform passage for all Hispanics/Latinos that advances and protects the civil rights of all Hispanics living in America bringing an end to all deportations, then all Hispanics/Latinos should register for ever more as Republicans and vote for Newt Gingrich for President of the United States.

Jon Garrido