Posted on 06/04/2013 12:26:41 PM PDT by neverdem
A coalition of black leaders is urging members of Congress to oppose the Gang of Eight’s immigration-reform bill (S.744), on the grounds that it would have a “disastrous” impact on African-American workers.
The Black American Leadership Alliance (BALA), a Washington, D.C.–based organization whose mission is “to further the economic and social interests of the black community,” has written an open letter to the Gang of Eight, the Congressional Black Caucus, and senators from states with the highest rates of black unemployment, signed by a dozen African-American leaders from a variety of political backgrounds. The group plans to hold a rally July 15 on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to “Say ‘No’ to Amnesty.”
“If passed, the proposed immigration bill will be costly for all Americans, but will harm American workers more than any other group,” the group writes. “If Congress fails to stop this irresponsible legislation, the United States will continue to see more and more blacks out of jobs and unable to support their families.”
The letter cites an array of data and research to support its claims. For example, the black unemployment rate is currently more than 13 percent, which is nearly double the national average. The rate among African Americans without a high school diploma — those most likely to compete with immigrants for jobs — is significantly higher. BALA points to a recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, among others, which found that immigration accounted for 40 percent of the decline in employment rates for low-skilled black workers in recent decades.
“Many studies have shown that black Americans are disproportionately harmed by mass immigration and amnesty,” the group writes. “Despite the fact that these figures are readily available and have been reported by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, many lawmakers have chosen to do nothing, putting politics over the well-being of constituents.”
In April, members of the Civil Rights Commission warned that granting legal status to illegal immigrants “will likely disproportionately harm lower-skilled African-Americans by making it more difficult for them to obtain employment and depressing their wages when they do obtain employment.”
BALA echoed that sentiment, stating: “We are firmly convinced that such an expansion of the labor force during one of the most protracted periods of high unemployment in decades will result in suppressed wages for all Americans, but the effects on African Americans will be the most devastating. Given the current economic outlook, with declining wages and fewer opportunities for black workers, now is not the time to add millions more workers as S. 744 proposes.”
The letter was signed by a diverse coalition of leaders, including liberals such as Leah Durant, a former Justice Department immigration attorney and executive director of Progressives for Immigration Reform, and Dr. Frank Morris, former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
“Now is not the time for Congress to increase competition for scarce jobs by adding millions more workers through legalization,” Morris said in a statement Monday. “Increasing immigration levels through amnesty and new visa programs, particularly at the low skilled level, will flood the labor market with millions more people, leading to higher unemployment, more poverty, and a lower standard of living for many in the black community.”
Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, president and founder of the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND), and Kevin Jackson, radio host and executive director of The Black Sphere, were among the conservative signatories.
“We implore each Member [of Congress] to fulfill his or her duty to the millions of Americans struggling to find work by opposing amnesty and supporting policies to reduce overall levels of legal and illegal immigration,” the letter concludes.
BALA is certainly a new voice in the chorus of opposition to the Gang of Eight bill, which is headed to the Senate floor as early as June 10. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Senator Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) predicted the legislation would pass by the July 4 recess; he and his fellow Gang members are hoping to get 70 votes for the bill.
A wake up call? Maybe these people need to understand obama hates everyone.
Whaddit I tell ya?
Black vs. Hispanic, the fault line across which the Democrat Party will eventually shatter. It’s beginning.
yep, one only look at LA. obama is following the model.
I don’t see any Congressional Black Caucus signatories mentioned. Party probably trumps race.
Doesn’t matter. They’ll still vote Democrat.
Tonight I Want To Cry ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PVKwUJdHuw
July 15....Be there or be a racist. Time for the Tea Party to support our Black Brothers and Sisters.
I am shocked that black leaders have finally spoken up over this issue.
The only thing more amazing is that it did not happen 25 years ago.
It’s just a whole new minority to put on the plantation .... and they will subvert the Hispanics just like they did the blacks and they will join the “whip me, beat me crowd” that will still vote for them.
And they’ll probably get the shaft, too.
Most all of those elected jackwads are for winning more elections or making corporations happy to get money in their corrupt pockets.
They don’t much care about representing their constituents.
For a quarter century Democrats have been talking out of both sides of their mouth, telling both Blacks and Hispanics that “you are our #1 Most Favored Minority”.
Both are running out of patience with this, and are forcing Dems to put up or shut up. Truly there is no way out for them.
“Me, too” is going to quickly become “me, only”.
Maybe so, but this is could become their defining “or what?” moment. Will they leave the plantation, or just crow and vent a little before sulking back into line?
Blind Squirrel ===> Acorn
Are we perhaps FINALLY seeing black leaders speaking about the actual interests of their constituents? I surely hope so, because the traditional American values of hard work, honesty and thrift have worked for just about everyone who has employed them (there are always a few people with very hard luck that fall through the cracks, but they are the exception that proves the rule). This has applied to people from EVERY racial, ethnic and religious group, and there’s no reason for it not to also apply to blacks. Letting in cheap labor to compete with those blacks who don’t have a lot of skills can ONLY hurt them - and, as others have pointed out, they have a right to be here and certainly should be given priority over people trying to get in.
What’s next, NOW actually calling for the resignation of Democrat women-abusers? Perhaps the apocalypse draws near?
The Spanish word BALA, means bullet in English. I guess this is a shot across the bow.
The issue isn’t jobs but votes. Millions of naturalized Mexicans are expected to vote Democrat. And neither Blacks or Hispanics need a job to be a registered Democrat.
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