Washington, D.C. is what is broken, not the immigration policies.

Opening Scene
The room was filled with the faint glow of evening light, the shadows stretching long across the worn leather couch in the corner. Outside the window, the city hummed with its usual activity, but inside, Jack and Jeeny sat in quiet contemplation. The soft ticking of a clock in the background was the only sound, the air thick with thoughts unspoken. Jeeny sat with her legs crossed, a cup of tea resting in her hands, while Jack’s eyes were locked on a half-finished paper in front of him, his mind clearly elsewhere. The topic they were about to tackle was one neither of them had addressed lightly.

Host:
The weight of the conversation was already in the air, as if both of them had been carrying these thoughts for a while but had never fully allowed them to surface. Tonight, though, the moment felt right — it was time.

Jeeny:
(her voice measured, but with an edge of urgency)
"Washington, D.C. is what is broken, not the immigration policies. We have good laws. We have people suffering every day because of the government’s failure to enforce the law and be respectful to the process we have. We have a pathway to citizenship already in place." (she pauses, her gaze steady, challenging Jack to respond)
"Do you think we’re missing the real issue here? Is it about the laws themselves, or is it about the failure to properly enforce them?"

Jack:
(surprised, his voice cautious but curious)
"Enforce them? You’re saying the problem isn’t the laws themselves, but that Washington isn’t doing its job?" (he shifts slightly, the skepticism in his tone clear, but he’s listening)
"I’ve heard the argument, but isn’t it more complex than just enforcement? How do you even begin to fix something when there’s such division over how the laws should work in the first place? Aren’t we talking about much more than just a failure of process?"

Host:
Jeeny’s eyes never wavered, the weight of her words cutting through the space between them like a sharp blade. Jack was more guarded now, his expression searching, trying to piece together her perspective. The room seemed to grow more intense, the subject matter pressing against the quiet that had previously settled between them.

Jeeny:
(her voice steady, but carrying a hint of frustration)
"It’s about the breakdown of the system, Jack. We have laws on the books, we have a framework that allows people to come here, to follow the process. But Washington isn’t willing to step up and do the hard work of enforcing what’s already in place. We keep talking about fixing policies when the problem isn’t the law itself; it’s the lack of accountability in the process. We’ve made a pathway to citizenship — it’s already there." (her eyes narrow slightly, as if emphasizing the core of her point)
"But the failure lies in not respecting that pathway and not being willing to ensure that people follow it."

Jack:
(nods slowly, his voice thoughtful, though still carrying some doubt)
"Okay, I get the frustration with the inaction in D.C. But how do we separate the fact that the laws themselves might be outdated or misaligned with the realities we face today? What if it’s not just the enforcement that’s broken, but the very foundation of the policies themselves?" (he leans forward slightly, clearly invested in the direction of the conversation now)
"If the laws aren’t working, then what’s the point of enforcement? Isn’t there a disconnect between the process and what actually needs to happen for things to be sustainable?"

Jeeny:
(her tone calm, but with an edge of clarity)
"The issue is that we’re not looking at the big picture, Jack. Yes, the laws may need adjustments — but those adjustments don’t need to come at the cost of dismantling the entire framework. We already have a system in place, but it’s being undermined by a lack of will to act. The question isn’t about creating new policies, it’s about respecting the ones we have, enforcing them, and holding ourselves accountable." (her eyes are piercing, unwavering as she speaks)
"People are suffering because of this inaction. They’re stuck in limbo, waiting for a process that’s been delayed for years. But if we actually enforced the law — if we used the system we already have — there’s a clear pathway. It’s just about the political will to actually make it happen."

Host:
The room was silent for a moment, the weight of Jeeny’s words settling between them. Jack’s expression softened, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. It wasn’t just about the laws or the politics — it was about the human impact, the lives that were caught in the middle of it all. The conversation had shifted into something more profound, more personal.

Jack:
(softly, his tone more reflective)
"So, you’re saying that the failure to act is what’s creating the real harm, not necessarily the laws themselves? That we’re not dealing with the root cause of the issue, we’re just spinning our wheels talking about reform while the people who need help are still stuck?" (he pauses, his voice quieter now, as he processes the broader implications)
"I see your point. It’s about action. Not just talk, not just pointing fingers at what’s broken, but actually stepping up to fix it."

Jeeny:
(her voice softens, but remains firm)
"Exactly. Leadership means taking responsibility. And in this case, leadership is about respecting the systems that are already in place, about acting on the laws that can make a real difference for people who are waiting for their shot at a better life." (she pauses, her eyes meeting his, the sincerity in her tone undeniable)
"We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to start respecting the process and doing the work that’s already been set out before us."

Host:
The weight of the conversation lingered in the air, the quiet hum of the city outside now distant, almost irrelevant. The world outside moved quickly, but inside, the focus was now on something deeper — something that transcended politics, something about responsibility, action, and the human cost of inaction. Jack sat back, his thoughts clearly shifting, and Jeeny remained still, offering her perspective, grounded and unwavering.

Jack:
(quietly, almost resolute)
"It’s not about fixing the system by creating more laws. It’s about fixing it by doing the work we’ve already set up. It’s about acting on what’s already in place." (he exhales, as if coming to a conclusion)
"That’s the real challenge, isn’t it?"

Jeeny:
(nods, her eyes steady and clear)
"Exactly, Jack. It’s about acting, not just talking. We already have the tools. We just need the will to use them."

Host:
The room felt a little quieter now, the intensity of the conversation settling into something deeper. The weight of the problem they were discussing was not just about politics, but about human lives — lives that were being held in limbo because of inaction. As the city outside continued its relentless pace, inside, there was a growing understanding that sometimes, the real challenge lies not in what we don’t have, but in what we’re unwilling to do with what we already possess.

End Scene