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To: org.whodat
Alright here's my point. Earlier you proclaimed to me that there was already a guest worker program for farm workers I pointed out that this is true. It's known as the H-2A migrant farm workers act.

Now here's my point. The H-2A migrant farm workers act is not good for business and does not make farm work better or more appealing to American citizens. Although it does cost farmers alot and it wondeful for migrant farm workers. Why?? Well because H-2A requires the employer to file large amounts of documentation and pay large fees in order to use migrant farm workers every time planting and then picking season comes around. The farmer is also required to pay the immigrant minimum wage or above minus taxes which are automatically deducted. Then on top of that he has to provide direct transportation for them from the border directly to the work site along with room and board during the time in which they are working with the farmer and then the farmer also has to drive them back across the border.

All this usually leaves the farmer ending up on the short end of the stick or barely breaking even. Under Bush's proposal immigrants are required to recieve legal work status on their own and provide the documents to the farmer. This isn't a major benefit I understand. But here comes the good part. Under a broad guest worker program where the immigrants can maintain there stay here legally. The farmer saves money by not having to pay for room and board. Yet he'll lose money due to the increased wages in which he'll surely have to pay from farm workers who suddenly feel entitled to a wage increase simply because they do not have to fear the threat of deportation from their employer. This in turn will make farming jobs more competative and in relation with Bush's proposal citizens would be eligible for the jobs before illegal immigrants. (not that you'll find many citizen interested int he job right now anyways, so I'm not sure why they're complaining?!? But I digress)

Anyways this proposal will most likely extend to other fields in which an illegal immigrant workforce is already prevelant in. Such as maids, dishwashers, and other service areas which are typically low paying but will now be more competative.

Of course that's just one scenario which I've ran through, there are many more some which could be more positive or less.

As for this comment:

"I for one do not want to see kids in this country, who are not college material, condemned to a life of minimum wage. Which will be the result of 40 million people coming into this country."

I'm not quite sure what you were alluding too? Are you saying that an influx of illegal immigrants would cause established citizens to wind up with minimum wage jobs??? So are you under the assumption that legal guest workers would undercut many low skill moderate pay jobs?!?!? Perhaps, but not likely. I'm not quite sure patrons would take to kindly to the fact that their waiter or grocery checker doesn't speak english and most likely stole "Jack's" job due to undercutting. Perhaps you could elaborate on your perspective.
162 posted on 01/08/2004 9:01:33 PM PST by Tempest
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To: Tempest
Let's not forget the unions that are opposed to the mechanization of harvesting foods. Tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce etc. can all be harvested by machine! In fact there is no vegetable that can't be harvested by machine.
202 posted on 01/11/2004 8:37:31 AM PST by CIBGUY (CIBGUY)
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