Alternative
Perspectives on the Consensus Questions for the Immigration
Study of
the League of Women Voters of the United States, 2007-2008
By Frank Neff
The volume of information on immigration is enormous and duplicative. I
wish that I had categorized each article when I read it so that I could
produce a list which categorized them as fact-based, opinion-only, fact
and opinion; illegal-focused; immigrant-focused, immigration
system-focused; and so on. However, that would not reduce the volume.
Since I have been working on immigration for some time, I think that I
am aware of many different viewpoints on many of the issues. I recognize
that I have often understood better the point of view when a strongly
opinion-focused statement was incorporated into a larger overview of an
issue.
So I decided to try to draft a short statement of some different
perspectives about each of the items in the set of consensus questions
created by the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS). I
have done so and am providing them herewith.
I do not claim to be fully objective, but I have tried to report at
least two different perspectives for each item. I encourage the reader
to get a broader perspective. The Internet has a number of sites which
are focused on immigration. The web page of the LWV of Johnson county
has information on many such information locations. www.LWVjoco.org
Question 1: Federal immigration laws should take into consideration
criteria such as the following (not listed in any particular order or
hierarchy):
Part a:
a. Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
Perspective 1) It is one thing to have diversity and it is another to
impose a huge non-assimilating group into our community and nation. It
will change the
barrios. People will not be able to communicate, services will
deteriorate, legislative bodies will not be able to make laws, and
people living at community edges will suffer. The more diverse the
groups are in a community, the more likely there will be conflict.
Perspective 2) The Dutch, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian,
Irish, Chinese, and so on, have brought useful customs, delicious food,
willingness to work hard for low pay, willingness to fight for this
nation, and some capacity to compromise. They have brought new ideas,
different kids of creativity, big brains, strong
backs. Without their
contributions, our nation would be much less satisfying and productive.
b. Economic, Business and Service Employment Needs
Perspective 1) Despite the claims of low unemployment, there are an
unknown number of people who have given up on reporting to the
employment office and are not counted in the official reports of
unemployment. The Swift packing plant (which was raided by INS and lost
many illegal employees), found replacement workers when wages were
raised and an advertisement appeared in the paper. So the need for
foreign workers may not be as great as it is claimed to be. In addition,
illegal immigrants have depressed wages.
Perspective 2) Many business owners in agriculture, construction, food
processing (such as meat packing and restaurant), housekeeping, lawn
maintenance, and such say they could not survive without immigrant help.
The Film which imagined what life would be like without them illustrated
the extent to which our economy depends on their participation. Their
contribution keeps the cost of many services and products much lower
than it would be otherwise.
Perspective 3) Immigrant workers are the victims of an unjust employment
system. They have no rights and no real advocates in working here. They
are often cheated and otherwise mistreated; their working conditions are
often deplorable, and their housing is frequently abominable. To refer
to them as “guest workers” is at best misleading and more accurately
hypocritical.
c. Environmental Impact/Sustainability
Perspective 1) The long-term residents of many
comparatively small
communities which have experienced a large and sudden influx of
immigrants report that the quality of life has deteriorated drastically.
The newcomers cannot speak the language. They they
have a negative
impact on the education and health care systems. They increase traffic
and crime. The increased costs to the community are beyond what the tax
base can sustain.
Perspective 2) It is true that some costs come to
local communities. On
the other
hand, they bring money to the community. They buy the things they need
there: food, housing, clothing, gasoline, transportation. etc.
If they
are treated fairly in their workplace, they will eventually buy housing,
automobiles, appliances, health care, and so on. As is shown in
communities in which such immigrants are second and third generation,
they will be active in community affairs, establish businesses, and add
to the cultural richness.
Perspective 3) Increased population must mean increased use of local
resources, such as land, water, air, employment opportunities,
recreational spaces, and the like. Diverse cultures can lead to
different satisfactions - such as delicious foods - or to suspicion and
conflict. Much depends on the confidence and goals on all sides.
d. Family Reunification
Perspective 1) We want immigrants to become
productive, constructive
members of our nation. That is most likely to be the case if they are
members of a good family. Immigration policy should facilitate that
development. Therefore, it would be good to have provisions which
support the establishment or reassembly of a family. Existing family
members should be eligible for facilitated entry and progress toward
citizenship.
Perspective 2) We have already seen the consequences
of policies
favoring the easy entry of relatives of immigrants. They have brought in
or sent for spouses, children, parents, and more. They are all
accustomed to large families. So reunification means huge
population
expansion for the foreseeable future as children mature and raise large
families. Families with similar backgrounds tend to cluster together,
which retards assimilation and promotes segregation.
e. History of Criminal Activity
Perspective 1) The evidence is good that crime
accompanies large
migrations. In some cases, large fractions of the people in jails and
prisons are immigrants. There is also evidence that some seriously
criminal Latino gangs have migrated from
are creating real problems in some cities. Mara Salvatrucha,
or MS-13,
is one of those. It is accused of smuggling drugs and immigrants across
the Mexican border. They could be bringing in terrorists.
Perspective 2) There is evidence that Latino youth in
the
lower rates of incarceration than most born-in-America youth. It is
important that immigrants be employed in situations where they are paid
fairly so they are not drawn into criminal activity in order to survive.
It is also important to have public policy enforced which protect and
encourage the immigrants to use their skills and resources wisely so
they can meet their needs without being tempted into criminal activity.
Community policies and practices should prevent intergroup
conflict and
racial profiling.
f. Humanitarian Crises/Political Persecution in their
Home Countries
Perspective 1) Of course, American have always been ready to help others
in extreme need. Our immigration policy should provide for such cases.
The policy should also recognize that there are many more people who
qualify than we have space for. Once we have established the total
number of additional people we can assimilate in a sustainable way, a
significant portion of such immigration quota should be reserved for
that group. The
development of policies and governments which lead activities in most
nations which reduce hostility within nations that lead to refugees and
murderous conflicts.
Perspective 2) Preference for immigration should be given to people who
are endangered in their own country or have been evicted and have no
place to go. Often, they are perceptive, unwilling to tolerate tyranny,
and willing to make change. Those characteristics can be important to a
democratic society. It would be important to learn their beliefs and
attitudes about democracy..
g. Immigrant Characteristics (health and age)
Perspective 1) Since many of the jobs for which people are needed
require the physical characteristics common among the young, preference
should be given to the young. Since there is evidence of serious
diseases being brought in by immigrants, they should be examined to
insure that they are healthy. Such a check would also reduce the cost of
immigrants to our health care system.
Perspective 2) Certainly, there should be sufficient
health checks at
the border to insure that seriously ill persons do not enter. Minor,
common ailments should not be used as excuses for blocking entry.. The
use of age as a criterion is not particularly important as wise and
foolish are found across age groups.
h. Rights of All Workers to Safe Working Conditions and Livable Wage
Perspective 1) All work should be done in safe working
conditions. The
application of such terms is where the problems arise. There have been
several mining accidents in the past several years in the U.S. Should we
give up the use of coal? Should there only be open-pit mining? Don[‘t we
have to agree that some jobs are more risky, but we need to have them done?
The idea of a living wage is attractive; the establishment and
implementation is much more problematic. By and large, letting the
market set the price is much more problematic. Would the responsibility
for operating a living wage be in the hands of a bureaucracy? Such a
development would be a burden to private enterprise and reduce the
ability of the business owner to assure the survival of the business. It
moves us toward socialism.
Perspective 2) There are recurrent reports of
immigrants and native
Americans working in unhealthy and unsafe situations. Meat-packing is
commonly so identified. It often seems that profit is revered more than
safety as reported violations of safety standards are ignored. It seems
that persons of a different economic class or ethnic group are
considered expendable. Given the claim in our Declaration of
Independence that all are created equal, we cannot tolerate behavior
shows that belief.
In our society, people are expected to work for a living. Given that, a
person who does his/her work should be paid enough to pay his own way.
How else is a person supposed to get “a living”?
i. Rights of Families to Remain Together
Perspective 1) It certainly is desirable for families
to remain
together. Yet, an American-born father who has been sent to prison for
committing a serious crime is separated from his family. Our society
established that policy in order to protect the rest of the people, to
satisfy the desire for retribution, and to discourage others from
committing such a crime. Illegal immigrants have committed a punishable
crime which brings problems to whatever community they
settle in. We can encourage families to be united by encouraging persons
to enter the
unification.
Perspective 2) In recent years, immigrants are more
likely to come
individually rather than as members of a family. Many immigrants are
family members and would like to have their families with them Present
immigration laws - which have quotas for nations and and
for a total
number - make family reunification a distant prospect, perhaps decades.
This means that there are many immigrants who are alone and families in
their home countries with a missing important member. Instability is
created here and in the home community. Some Mexicans in parts of
report that the absence of a large number of adult males results in
deterioration of the community itself.
j. The Rights of All Individuals in the
Law (Fair Hearing,
Right to Counsel, Right of Appeal, and Humane Treatment)
Perspective 1) Most Americans believe that immigrants should be treated
fairly. Most Americans try to do so. On the other hand, immigrants are
not citizens. Neither they nor their parents (in most cases) have paid
taxes over the years nor have they given time and money to community
projects. Many have come here illegally. They have not obeyed our laws,
and their claims that they deserve the benefits of all our laws seem a
bit hollow and self-serving. Some studies indicate that they cost our
communities more in benefits than they provide in taxes.
Perspective 2) The
reached under the auspices of the United Nations.We
have signed
agreements about human rights. Those agreements require us to provide
some services to immigrants, legal aliens, permanent non-citizen
residents, and so on. Given the magnitude of the immigrant population in
the
actions we can take to assure that they become productive, constructive
members of our society. Helping them to learn the language,,
get decent
employment, educate their children, and feel part of and committed to
benefiting the society.
k. Education and Training
Perspective 1) Yes, education and training are vital to the nurturing of
productive, creative people. The right kind of education will help our
young people understand and appreciate the benefits of a fully
functioning democracy. But we already are failing to provide an adequate
education for many citizens and their children. The costs, technology,
and lack of commitment have prevented us from achieving that goal. To
take our limited resources and give them to people who broke the law to
come here is unjust and teaches the wrong lessons.
Perspective 2) The vast majority of the immigrants
here will continue to
be here. Our choice is whether we want them to assimilate and be
constructive members of our society or to force them to always be on the
margins, critical of our claims to promote the general welfare and show
our responsibility for abiding by international agreements which we have
made.
Question 2. Unauthorized immigrants currently in the
treated as follows: (rate each one)
a. Deport Unauthorized Immigrants
Perspective 1) It is important – in fact, vital for our democracy – that
we maintain the claim that we are a nation of laws. To be so, the laws
must be followed. Our immigration laws now provide a path for people to
follow to move into the
path for many years as the existing quota is filled very rapidly each
year and man do not make it. It would be a further
violation of our laws
to give the people who came here illegally priority over those who have
been following our laws and are still waiting. It is also appropriate
for those who have violated the law to experience some punishment.
Perspective 2) Some cost estimates indicate that
finding, evaluating,
and sending immigrants to the country from which they came would run
into the billions of dollars. It would result in crops rotting in the
fields; in small farmers and business men and women being ruined; in
food and other products becoming more expensive; and in much more
hostile relations between the peoples of the two countries. With
unemployment at a low level, it seems that most of the immigrants are
needed. From what we know of pay and opportunity south of our border, it
seems clear that the people who come really need to go somewhere where
they can support themselves and others back in
b. Some Deported/Some Allowed to Earn Legal Adjustment of Status Based
on Length of Residence in U.S.
Perspective 1) It is clear that we need a lot of workers from outside
the U.S. as unemployment is low and employers tell government officials
that they must have the immigrants to produce needed goods and services.
The vast majority of those who have been here for
several years have
learned English and have proven themselves good workers. We need them. A
path to legal residency should be created for them. There are also some
immigrants who do not perform constructive work. They should be sent back.
Perspective 2) There have been instances in which the
INS has conducted
a raid and deported a significant number from a given company.
Subsequently, the company raised wages, advertised for
workers, and were
able to obtain production in a short time. Claims by employers about
their need for immigrants are overblown – or the employers really want
workers whom they can control and exploit. Permitting those who broke
our laws a long time ago to stay now and prosper only teaches disrespect
for the law and encourages more to come.
c. Some Deported/Some Allowed to Earn Legal Adjustment of Status Based
on Needs of
[See the perspectives presented in the item above.]
d. All Allowed to Earn Legal Adjustment of Status by Doing Things Such
as Paying Taxes, Learning English, Studying Civics, Etc.
Perspective 1) Immigrants who would do all those things would surely
have demonstrated their strong desire to live and work in he
would have done more than many native-born people here. If you add to
that the requirement that they have a job, they would have a good case
that they are most likely to be people who are valuable to our nation.
Perspective 2) Those are all good things they should
have been doing
anyhow. If they do them now, it is only to fool the system another time.
If they are deported now, we will have
shown that our laws are to be followed and not evaded or gamed. If they
really want to be here, they can come in through the legal process. That
will make the process fair for the people who have been following it all
along.
e. If Deported, Assess Fines Before Possible Re-Entry
Perspective 1) The flood of illegal immigrants has caused many expenses
for local, state, and the national government. It is not fair that the
who who lived throughout our nation should
have to pay those costs. They
have been doing it. By fining immigrants and distributing those funds to
the affected governments, long-time taxpayers may see their burden
reduced and feel that the burdens of immigration have been somewhat more
equitably shared.
Perspective 2) How much blood is there in a turnip?
Which is another way
to call attention to the fact that we are talking about people who are –
and are likely to continue to be – very poor. They have come to the
because they have not been able to make a living south of the border (or
really in many parts of the world where resources are few and their
economic system is dysfunctional). They are most
unlikely to find work
there, especially at a pay level which will enable them to pay
significant fines. Surely sending them back and making
them wait is
going to be severe punishment for them.
Question 3: Federal immigration law should provide an efficient,
expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal entry into
the U.S. for immigrants who are: (rate each one)
a. Immediate Family Members Joining Family Member Already Admitted for
Legal Permanent Residence in the U.S.
Perspective 1) Family values have been given much prominence in our
nation in recent years, and having an intact family has been highly
praised. Building on that concern in our nation, it will be very
important that high priority be given in immigration policy to bringing
into the
legally. Supporting the maintenance of the family means
working to
provide a normal and stable family composition. It will help build
neighborhood stability, the assimilation of immigrants into our culture,
and increase the productivity of the workers already here.
Perspective 2) Probably every thinking person favors
traditional family
patterns and wants them encouraged. It is also true that we need to have
the resources available for the family. Unrestrained immigration will
soon – perhaps already has – challenged the adequacy of our resources.
Most Americans do not want to live the way people in crowded countries
live – without sufficient farm land, without adequate water, with
limited means for obtaining energy (such as oil or coal or hydroelectric
potential). Such conditions result in poverty,sickness, short life
spans, few opportunities, and – often – oppressive governments. How many
people can our resources support over the long haul? How does admitting
everyone with some family connection, no matter how remote, mean for
having a reduced yet modest quality of life?
b. Entering the
Perspective 1) It will help the discussion and decisions about
immigration policy to have greater clarity about those needs. There are
a lot of Americans who were doing very well in computer-related
industries until corporate leaders learned that they could import the
very top performers from other parts of the world, pay the new workers
much less than they had been paying those American workers, and
“downsize” the Americans. Those employers continue to claim that they
cannot find Americans for such jobs. Given the figures about
unemployment among some groups in the U.S, the need for workers needs to
be independently examined and widely reported.
Perspective 2) The film which was shown a few years
ago which imagined
the chaos which would result if there were no immigrants had a great
deal of truth in it. There have been newspaper articles reporting the
views of employers in the hotel and restaurant industries, in
agriculture, in housing and commercial construction, in the poultry and
meat processing businesses, and almost any field which needs strength,
endurance, adaptability, learning capacity, and vulnerability want
immigrants and claim that they are vital to the performance of their
enterprise. It just is the case that they make a huge contribution to
the operation of our society. They must be able to come and work.
c. Entering the
Perspective 1) Foreign students have, and will continue to, bring great
benefits to our nation. Most of them come with excellent educations in
their home countries, so they bring useful challenges to their American
peers and to the instructors in the educational institutions they attend
here.a fraction of them follow the rules which permit
them to work and
stay here. Our nation has benefited tremendously from their knowledge,
skill, and creativity. Treated well here, if they return to their home
countries,they are the best
of ambassadors. In addition, they often make
a helpful financial contribution to the institution in which they are
students.
Perspective 2) Many our institutions of higher
education have put limits
on the number of students they will take. Letting foreign students take
those places means that many Americans are deprived of the opportunity
to expand their potential. With American businessmen complaining about
the competence of work applicants they see, it seems clear that we
cannot afford to let foreign students have the student slots which our
children deserve.
d. Entering the
Perspective 1) Of course we should be receptive to refugees who cannot
remain at home. Often, they are more interested in democratic ways than
most of the people they left behind. At the same time, we must be
careful that we do not let in people who would act against us. We must
exercise care in assessing their situation. their
potential
contributions, and the likelihood that they could damage our country.
Perspective 2) According to the U.S. Department of State, the
major recipient of refugees. We know of the Hmong and
Somalis in
refugees are those who had the wisdom and courage to oppose a ruling
group which was not acting in the best interests of their nation. Such
people bring values that can be good for our democracy. In addition, it
is the humanitarian thing to do to befriend people in need, especially
those in danger of life and limb. Our history illustrates the benefits.
The development of the atomic bomb was greatly helped by scientists who
fled
Question 4a. In order to deal more effectively with
unauthorized
immigrants, Federal immigration
law should include:Social
Security Card or Other National Identification
Card with Secure
Identifiers for All Persons Residing in the
Perspective 1) This would be a powerful first step in making immigration
law more
effective. It would resolve the problem of employers who want to hire
only legal immigrants. It would make work much easier for local law
enforcement officers. It would help in the operation of the Social
security System. It would make it much easier for ICE (Immigration and
Customs Enforcement) to assure that they are dealing with whom they
think they are dealing with. It would also speed work in identifying
persons involved in traffic deaths and injuries.
Perspective 2) Talk about Big Brother and 1984! Such an ID system would
enable security agency personnel at all levels of government to
constantly monitor the whereabouts of every person. They would also be
able to construct a case against anyone they chose by “cherry-picking”
and using the information. The Church Report in 1976 in the U.S. Senate
documented extensive violations of the laws regarding surveillance and
the use of information obtained through wire-tapping, mail interception,
and efforts to disrupt the work of peaceful, issue-oriented groups. We
need to avoid the creation of a system which permits – and perhaps
encourages – security personnel to have tools which enable them to
secretly, without court approval, observe and record the movements,
purchases, phone calls, bank accounts, health records, and all the data
floating around in cyber space.
Question 4b Federal immigration law dealing with unauthorized immigrants
should be enforced
by including: (rate each one)
i. Physical Barriers (such as Fences) and
Surveillance at Borders
Perspective 1) There are many people in the U.S. who argue that the
absolute first step in masking immigration policy be good and effective
is to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border. The border with
proposal to build a formidable fence along the whole length of that
border. Congress has authorized the construction of something like 700
miles of the 2000-mile long border. It is to be built mainly in areas
near large cities along he border. Proponents claim
that the fence has
reduced the influx into the San Diego area by about five-sixth.
Perspective 2) Comparing the fence proposal with failed attempts to keep
people from other places in the world, opponents of the fence say that
it will not keep everyone out. they also argue that
the actual costs
will be enormous. Experience with the fence in the
indicates that cost estimates have been significantly lower than actual
construction expenditures. Opponents also argue that the money being
spent on fencing is not being spent on matters which could make a real
difference. such as assisting with job development in
Mexican officials have made clear statements that the fence will damage
relations between the nations. Mexican officials have stated that they
will take it to the Organization of American States and to the United
Nations.
ii. Increased Personnel at Land, Air, and Sea Entry Points
Perspective 1) These proposals should help deal with concerns about
people and goods crossing the borders, assuming that the added personnel
would be examining those things. ICE agents could inspect people and
vehicles with more thoroughness. It would reduce the passage of persons
with fraudulent documents. It would make drug smuggling more difficult.
Perspective 2) If the increased personnel speed the
border crossing,
that will benefit business and those consumers interested in low prices.
But if it slows the process, it will cost businesses and consumers. Time
is money. It will be important to watch the process for the impact it
has on the speed of crossing the border. It is worth mentioning that the
source of
revenue to pay for the additional personnel should not come from the
businesses and people making the crossing. It will be important to work
out a cost/benefit ratio after the additional personnel have been at
work for a while. It may well be that such an analysis would not support
the cost of the process.
ii. Increased Personnel at Land, Air, and Sea Entry Points
Perspective 1) The extent of inspection of people and
goods crossing our
borders or entering airports from international travel is small, often
less than a fraction of 1%. Experts hazard guesses
about how large the
illegal drug traffic may be. We have seen the introduction of lead paint
on children’s toys and foods with hazardous content coming past those
absent or weak checks on things entering the U.S. Obviously,
we need to
add many such personnel.
Perspective 2) It does appear that border inspection
needs to be
increased. But we need American corporations to take responsibility for
the safety of the products they sell. They should not shift the
responsibility and the cost of inspection to the public. We need
legislation to clarify and enforce vendor responsibility. Perhaps trade
legislation needs to be revised to specify the responsibility of the
manufacturer and seller for the safety and efficacy of the product.
iii. More Effective Tracking of Persons with Non-Immigrant Visas Until
They Leave the
Country
Perspective 1) Apparently, a significant number of people have come into
the
time allotted. It would seem that these people may be above the average
in wealth and education. That they are able to stay suggests that they
have found employment adequate to meet many of their needs and that they
are performing work which people here will pay for. Thus they are making
a contribution to the operation of the society. It should be studied to
determine whether the expense of intensive tracking is valuable for
other than punitive purposes.
Perspective 2) Some argue that people in this category
comprise one of
the larger groups of illegal immigrants now in the country. They have
taken advantage of our welcome and are breaking our laws. We need to
have a foolproof method of identifying them which cannot be tampered
with and which will provide a means of tracing them. Proponents of such
identification methods say they are not national ID cards.
iv. Verification Documents, such as Green Cards and Work Permits with
Secure
Identifiers.
Perspective 1) Such documents are vital for making the
immigration laws
work. There will always be people who do not hesitate to break laws when
it is to their advantage. Having dependable documents will protect the
legal immigrants and the employers who intend to use legal immigrants
only. Such documents will only work if they contain the information
necessary to accurately identify the person and cannot be misused.
Perspective 2) We learned long ago – at least by 1976 – that people
working in security agencies, such as the FBI and the CIA, are tempted
to and do misuse the information available to them. The Church report
issued that year cited examples of clear violations of
members of those organizations. And responsibility for preventing such
activities went to the highest levels of our government - and was not
exercised. Establishing such cards takes American society a long way
down the path toward having a means by which any citizen
could be accused and jailed for a political purpose.
v. Improved Technology to Facilitate Employer Verification of Employee
Visa Status
Perspective 1) It seems clear that a lot of the
attraction to come to
the
real enforcement on employers, the flood of immigrants will dry up as
soon as a few of the illegals cannot get and hold
jobs and wind up
taking the word back home. Employers have complained about the real
difficulty they have in getting good evidence that the job applicant was
really legal. Having an ID system which worked rapidly and reliably and
with ease would greatly improve the situation.
Prospective 2) Everyone needs to have some documentation which enables
them to drive, be employed, cash checks, establish credit, take out
library books, and get into the buildings in which they work. The
problem is getting such documentation in ways which do not provide
information beyond what is needed for specific purposes and which
protects those things about our identities which others need not know in
order to work and play with us. The reason for this caution is the
reports of misuse of what was thought to be personal and private in past
situations by highly educated and prepared staff of intelligence
agencies in the
developments.
vi. Improved Technology for Sharing Information Among Federal Agencies
Perspective 1) Some of the analyses which have been done of the World
Center catastrophe reported that coordination among the various security
and intelligence agencies was a factor in the bad consequences of that
tragedy. Insuring that the means of joint planning and executing support
and facilitate effective coordination is an important requirement.
Perspective 2) Since 9/11, pundits and presumed
experts, and legislative
individuals have spoken often of the indicated failures in
communication. However, a number of the barriers which were impeding
communication were created out of the revelations which arose from the
Church Committee study of
also general operating practices which were illegal. The push for more
coordination has been rushed, and there is little evidence that the
reasons for the barriers have been specified and evaluated.
Well-informed people argue that we can increase security without
damaging the rights and authority of our citizens.
vii. A Program to Allow Immigrant Workers to Go in and Out of the U.S.
to Meet
Seasonal and Sporadic Labor Needs
Perspective 1) Such a program is desirable and should be established. It
will not be easy to do in a way which promotes justice. From the bracero
program, instituted about the time of World War II, up to the proposed
“Guest Worker” proposal, the system has worked to exploit the Hispanic
worker for the benefit of the employer – with, maybe, some benefit to
consumers in low prices. Some descriptions refer to it as “indentured
servitude”, the bad situation into which many early immigrants to the
British colonies were attracted. Others say it sometimes is closer to
slavery. Developing a just program will require considerable thought,
negotiation, and attitude change.
Perspective 2) An extensive, expert, intrusive
examination of the
employment situation needs to precede the establishment of such a
program. Reports of the unemployment among some groups
suggests that the
official unemployment rate of less than 5% may be inaccurate.
We also need some valid data on underemployment. What are the skills and
experience of un- and under-employed people in our
society? How often
are people from other countries essentially “recruited” because they
provide cheap, compliant workers who really have only the skills of
legal workers who are now not working or working outside the area of
their abilities? Perhaps we do not need any or so many immigrants to “do
the work that Americans won’t do”
viii. Significant Fines Pro-Proportionate to Revenue for Employers Who
Fail to Take
Adequate Steps to Verify Work Authorization of Employees
Perspective 1) On those rare occasions when employers have been
convicted of hiring illegal immigrants, the fines have seemed to be seen
as just a cost of doing business rather than a financial hardship to be
avoided completely in the future. If a truly “significant” fine is
imposed, a true step forward in dealing with immigration will have been
taken.
Perspective 2) It is important to keep in mind that
many of the
employers of immigrants are in the “small” business category. A fine big
enough to deter a big employer may well bankrupt a smaller one. In
addition, small employers may very well not have the resources to do
extensive investigative work to determine the true status of their
employees. it is the government’s responsibility to
determine the
immigrant’s status and to provide that information for us. Until such
conditions prevail, it is unfair to blame employers and punish them for
the failures of the government.
Instructions: Please mark each question as "Consensus" or "No
Consensus"
Question 5: Federal immigration law should address and balance the
long-term federal financial benefit from immigrants with the financial
costs borne by states and local governments with large immigrant
populations.
Perspective 1) It is good that there is recognition of the burden which
states and local communities have had to bear as a result of federal
policy and performance. What is really needed is for the federal
government to pick up full responsibility for the costs of immigration
and reimburse the other governments. But the full responsibility should
include establishing laws which it will enforce and which will end or
drastically reduce the number of illegal immigrants already here and
significantly reduce the number coming in.
Perspective 2) It is fair for local and state governments to have
assistance in dealing with the problems which arise from large numbers
of people moving into their communities, often in a relatively short
period of time, especially when the community did not encourage the
influx. It is also true that there needs to be recognition of the
benefits of that influx. It may mean that there is a new, large employer
in town who will hire a significant number of people who were there
before the immigrants arrived. There are some claims that some
immigrants are likely to establish new small businesses which can
benefit the community. Immigrants often provide introduction to new
foods and customs, which sometimes bring fun and adventure to the
community.
Question 6: Federal immigration law should be coordinated with
foreign policy to pro-actively help improve economies, education and job
opportunities, and living conditions of nations with large emigrating
populations.
Perspective 1) it is certainly the case that U.S. foreign policy, as
shown in international trade agreements made over the past two decades,
has had a negative impact on the lives
of most of the people in the other countries with whom agreements have
been made. There has usually been an increase in poverty among the
already poor, a loss of jobs, a loss of natural resources, and reduced
control of their governments by the people of the country. Therefore, it
will be necessary for the
fundamentals of our foreign policy so that implementing it will result
in improvements in those indicators which means that the common people
are benefiting. This will be hard to accomplish as it will probably mean
that the elite in the
agreement will lose some of their wealth and power.
Perspective 2) For many years, this has been a goal of
American foreign
policy. The North American Free Trade Agreement was intended to result
in improvement in the lives of Mexican workers. Agreements with other
countries in
Unfortunately,the desired
changes have not happened. The money seems to
have wound up in the pockets of the elite in those countries. nation
building is not a simple, easy, short process. We have huge needs here
in the
Billions of dollars needed to improve decaying infrastructure. We should
offer technical help.