[Grendel9]

Just a thought...
wouldn't the 3 year period give the earlier arrival the
advantage of having learned the language? That has to be
a tremendous leg-up on the totem because that individual
can serve as go-between for the two cultures. It also
means he would have a skill needed by potential employers.
Right now, the landscaping/lawncare business is a big one for the Mexican laborer. And at least one of them has to
be able to communicate fluently with the prospective customer.

[Pa' fuera]

Wouldn't the 3 year period give the earlier arrival the advantage of having learned the language? That has to be a tremendous leg-up on the totem because that individual can serve as go-between for the two cultures. It also means he would have a skill needed by potential employers.

sure, a worker with experience and language skills is going to have an advantage whether he goes into the guest worker program or not. If his employer is going to participate in the program, he'll have to participate, too. But if his employer wants to continue paying under the table or to not pay benefits, the employee might lose his job to an illegal if he insists on becoming legal and participating in the guest worker program. What it boils down to is that the current illegals should gauge the situation before signing up for the program.