All who participate in the temporary worker program must have a job, or, if not living in the United States, a job offer. The legal status granted by this program will last three years and will be renewable -- but it will have an end. Participants who do not remain employed, who do not follow the rules of the program, or who break the law will not be eligible for continued participation and will be required to return to their home.
Under my proposal, employers have key responsibilities. Employers who extend job offers must first make every reasonable effort to find an American worker for the job at hand. Our government will develop a quick and simple system for employers to search for American workers. Employers must not hire undocumented aliens or temporary workers whose legal status has expired. They must report to the government the temporary workers they hire, and who leave their employ, so that we can keep track of people in the program, and better enforce immigration laws. There must be strong workplace enforcement with tough penalties for anyone, for any employer violating these laws.
I didn't see that in any of the news reports.
If we devise a system whereby the only way for a Mexican to get a job here is through legal means, illegal immigration would virtually stop. That's the key.
This isn't an immigration bill. It's a guest worker program that recognizes the reality that there are very few Americans applying to be hotel maids, agricultural labor, or other unskilled jobs in this country.
After reading the speech, I have come to the conclusion that Bush's proposed immigration reform is another brilliant masterstroke of strategery. Every interest gets something:
1) foreign nationals get:
(a) to stay for a reasonable amount of time, on reasonable terms;
(b) a way to keep their Social Security investment;
(c) some financial security for their work investment; and
(d) to live inside the law
2) US citizens concerned about the erosion of their citizenship are guaranteed two important points:
(a) the visas are temporary;
(b) border security (although we may very well get stiffed on this one, if history is any guide);
(c) a strong financial incentive for aliens to go home after they are done working in the US; and
(d) a major decrease in the level of lawlessness
3) US employers get:
(a) off the hook for breaking the law; and
(b) a way to maintain their workers
4) Politicians, especially the GOP, get to have an actual accomplishment to point to with regards to the immigration problem. It also is insurance just in case we get another 9/11 from people being smuggled through the southern border.
In conclusion, this is another piece of brilliant Bush strategery (which I have not yet decided I like, but nevertheless recognize that) that cuts a broad middle ground between the combatants in the political sphere. I am reminded much of the attempt to get UN support for the war in Iraq - it offers a deal that, while not perfect, it would be good faith to offer, and unreasonable to refuse. (On the other hand, it also gives nobody everything they want.)
I don't see how anybody in the legislature can oppose this. The Democrats might oppose it solely on the ground that it would be a Bush accomplishment and helps him in the 2004 election - that's not beyond the depths they have long since plumbed - but they could not win.
I really don't see how conservatives could oppose it, either. If you do want to get rid of as many aliens as possible, as soon as possible, this is the best thing you have seen yet. How many aliens would we have leave, otherwise, by the end of three years? The policy is very discriminatory against indigents as well, which any conservative has to agree with.(Agreed, we may have an issue with temporary workers coming for the purpose of having US citizen children here being protected by the Constitution.)
1,264 posted on 01/07/2004 5:42:38 PM CST by thoughtomator ("I will do whatever the Americans want because I saw what happened in Iraq, and I was afraid"-Qadafi)