Posted on 01/21/2007 12:28:49 PM PST by A. Pole
Backers of liberalizing immigration rules began a congressional push yesterday to give temporary legal status to up to 1.5 million illegal-alien workers to provide a labor pool for U.S. agriculture.
The proposal is a recycled version of parts of a bill that stalled after passing the Senate last year. House Republicans blocked negotiations on the measure, sticking with a get-tough stand against illegal aliens before the November elections.
Those wanting to loosen immigration laws hope the combination of a Democratic majority in Congress and support from President Bush will help their proposals.
[...]
Under the bill, illegal aliens who can show they have labored in agriculture for at least 150 workdays for the past two years would become eligible for a "blue card" bestowing temporary legal status. Their spouses and minor children also could get a blue card if they already live in the United States.
People with these cards who work an additional three years, at least 150 days a year, or five years, at least 100 days a year, would be eligible for legal residency.
[...]
Opponents say immigrants provide cheap, exploitable labor to the industry and deflate wages for American employers. They also contend such workers become a drain on taxpayers because those workers, once eligible, turn to welfare, Medicaid and other social programs.
Proponents are getting support from growers who saw their crops left to waste in fields because of farmworker shortages last year.
[...]
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Hell, just open the gates. At the present rate we won't have much of a country left in ten years anyway. IMHO
Who are the authors of this bill, or is this a secret?
"Their spouses and minor children also could get a blue card if they already live in the United States."
No matter what else happens with "immigration reform", the above MUST NOT be allowed to happen!
There is no way these criminals will ever leave the U.S. if they are allowed to keep their families here, it MUST be a condition of their being allowed to work here that they retain real roots in their home country.
There must also be a fairly short time limit on their employment, after which they must return home and give some one else a chance at the economic boost legal employment in the U.S. provides.
Anything else is simply a surrender to the open border lobby, and makes a farce of any pretense to having a legitimate immigration policy.
So what happens after the 150 days? The illegals will move on to higher-paying restaurant and construction jobs.
Ten years?
Have you visited Kalifornia lately?
Many foreign countries are more American than Kalifornia right now!
Remember the old warning, "As goes Kalifornia, so goes the nation".
I think you're wrong. I think we've got twenty. Damn shame, no matter which of is right.
First introduced in 2003 by Craig and Kennedy.
Okay. Thanks.
I don't have a problem with this approach for handling the illegals who are currently here IF it is accompanied by a legitimate guest worker program that would prevent employers from hiring illegals in the future.
There should be a way for employers in certain industries (agriculture, resorts, crab picking) to get the temporary workers they need. The families should NOT be allowed to accompany the workers, and the employers should be punished severely if they have a legal way to get workers, but hire illegals instead.
Globle warming wiped out the citrus crop in Kali. so fergit it, we don't need them.
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