Bush's immigration reform helps illegals -- and us, too

AJC ^ | 1/9/04

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

President Bush has proposed reforms that would turn millions of undocumented migrants into honest workers. It is about time. Arguments by critics that the proposals reward crime are utterly without merit, especially in an economy that depends on the labor of such low-paid, hardworking people. Rather than being soft on crime, a Bush administration that legitimizes the economic system that benefits us all acts morally.

The Bush proposals, which face a divided Congress, essentially would permit undocumented immigrantsto work for three years, with an option to extend for a maximum of three additional years. And then, unless the worker has obtained a green card that authorizes employment, the migrant would be obliged to return home.

Since only about 10,000 green cards are issued yearly, it is unlikely the temporary workers, an estimated 8 million or more people, would gain permanent rights to work. The proposals, however, leave many details open, such as the total number of people who could be accommodated. Estimates of the number of undocumented workers and illegal immigrants vary from 8 million to 14 million, including 60 percent believed to be Mexican in origin.

Getting the immigration reforms through Congress in this presidential election year will be a formidable task, because the issues divide Democrat from Democrat, Republican from Republican and in some cases Latino from Latino.

As to the merit in the Bush proposals, the reforms could bring millions of workers out of the shadows and give them more safety on the job, the right to drive and purchase automobile insurance and other basic rights. That will benefit not only the workers themselves but the rest of us as well. Making them licensed and insured drivers, for example, contributes to the security and safety of everybody on the road. Furthermore, because the migrant workers in the new program would be identified, efforts to control illegal immigration might be enhanced.

A critical component of all sensible and effective reforms must be a better system of enforcing laws that prohibit the employment of undocumented workers. Employers should be required to verify, quickly and easily, that prospective workers are properly documented. To make sure the workers in the temporary program are legitimately registered, an acceptable documentation system must be carefully constructed to defeat forgers, and government databases of Social Security information must be accurate and accessible.

Bush and his friend, President Vicente Fox of Mexico, both stand to gain stature with an effective reform program that improves immigration policy, gives dignity to workers and protects their rights. But the battle to enact new policies has just begun, and the outcome depends on Bush's resolve to see it through.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

THE	TIME	FOR	FR		GIFTING		IS		HERE.
THE	TIME	FOR	FR		GIFTING		IS		HERE.
THE	TIME	FOR	FR		GIFTING		IS		HERE.

[Support Free Republic]

Free Republic!

It's a wonderful site!

Please help keep it that way. Make a donation!

[dirtboy]

The Bush proposals, which face a divided Congress, essentially would permit undocumented immigrantsto work for three years, with an option to extend for a maximum of three additional years. And then, unless the worker has obtained a green card that authorizes employment, the migrant would be obliged to return home. Since only about 10,000 green cards are issued yearly, it is unlikely the temporary workers, an estimated 8 million or more people, would gain permanent rights to work.

Of course, these folks are already working here without permits, so what makes the AJC think that, after six years, they would go home - doesn't it make a bit more sense that, having worked once illegally, they would be willing to work again illegally to stay here?

[primeval patriot]

And then, unless the worker has obtained a green card that authorizes employment, the migrant would be obliged to return home.

I'm confident the migrant will go right back into "the shadows".

[thoughtomator]

Green cards aren't for employment. They're for permanent residency.

Typical poorly-researched crap from the AJC.

[Dr. Marten]

Helps us too?

Barf!

[Zipporah]

I was wondering where the BARF alert was...

[StonyBurk]

Seem to recall a PBS documentary on American history seen
today-- that spoke of how the South was dependent upon
cheap labor --especially once they determined cotton was king.will it take another Civil War to end this modern slave
trade?Just curious.

[StonyBurk]

Why shore it helps us too. I know a "Nam Vet who had his
car wrecked by some of these outstanding undocumented workers. Now they was drunk-- and drivin way over the speed limit(but lots of American citizens do that too)the driver
had No Colorado Drivers licence,nor insurance. So my friends car was a total loss. He had hospital bills because he was taken to a local hospital not the VA -and
as the guys who were at fault were Mexican nationals and
Not US citizens--and as the owner of the vehicle was suddenly living in Mexico gues who got stuck?

[jpsb]

A critical component of all sensible and effective reforms must be a better system of enforcing laws that prohibit the employment of undocumented workers. Employers should be required to verify, quickly and easily, that prospective workers are properly documented.

Heard the same crap in 86, this time I ain't buying it. The elites want cheap, dirt cheap labor that's what this is all about. Screw them.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

The Bush proposals, which face a divided Congress...

How would your perspectives change upon viewing this as strictly political?

[Dr. Marten]

"How would your perspectives change upon viewing this as strictly political?"

Please expand...

[dirtboy]

How would your perspectives change upon viewing this as strictly political?

If I get hit by a car, at the time I would tend to view whether I was hit by accident or on purpose as secondary to the fact that I'm lying on the pavement in dire need of medical attention.

[crz]

Look here folks. This is a political move plain and simple. A dumb one none the less.
Polititions are simply worse than prostitutes. At least with a prostitute you know your gonna get something-it might be good or bad, but at least you get something in return. With a politition all you get is.."gimme money sucker and keep up the hard work." Now get out there and make some more! As they slap you on the back with one hand while holding the knife with the other which they'll stab you with.

GW Bush is no diff...except he's the best we got and at least we constant and does what he says, wright or wrong at least he does it. Whats the viable alternative?

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

< "The Bush proposals, which face a divided Congress... >

1. Bill says could apply for 3 year...
2. 3 year program if approved by Congress
3. How do Soc Sec and taxes apply?
4. How are these people now documented in the system?
5. Consider each party and who wants tougher or more lenient restrictions, how their stand will affect them in the eyes of the voters, and what repercussions will apply to Bush.

[keri]

What's the viable alternative?

Haven't you heard? The sheepherders have said we have nowhere to go.

When I have nowhere to go I stay home.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Bush and his friend, President Vicente Fox of Mexico...

That says it all right there. Fox may be Bush's friend but he's not ours. Let him fix his own country's problems.

[B4Ranch]

"the migrant would be obliged to return home."

That slaps all American taxpayers right in the face. They felt obliged to come here illegally using phony ID to get on our welfare systems. They sure as hell will not feel obliged to leave the "paid freedom" country.

[B4Ranch]

Green cards=permanent residency which permits legal employment.