Hull's Guest Worker Proposal Gains Support
NR 99:65
(TIJUANA, Baja Mexico . Sept. 10, 1999) Governor Jane Dee Hull today said her proposal for a more effective "guest worker" program is beginning to gain support from key officials.
Governor Hull discussed her proposal with governors attending the biannual meeting of the Border Governors Conference held in Tijuana, Baja California. The members of the Conference will put the proposal on the agenda of their next meeting.
"I'm pleased people are beginning to consider this proposal, especially here in the Southwest. The more support we can gain here, the better we can make the case to Washington. After all, it is the federal government that would implement the proposal," Governor Hull said.
Governor Hull also has written a letter asking key federal officials to consider the proposal. New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson signed the letter while in Tijuana. Texas Governor George W. Bush, who was unable to attend the conference, has indicated he supports the proposal. Members of his staff at the conference agreed to deliver it to Governor Bush for his signature.
Governor Hull is calling for a reformed guest worker program that would allow foreign nationals to obtain temporary permits in certain job classifications, including seasonal staff in agriculture, tourism and custodial services. These industries currently are experiencing severe labor shortages. At the same time, the proposal would significantly increase the penalties for employers who fail to comply with the law.
Any reforms also should include protection of the human rights of those workers, the Governor said. Issues of housing, health care and transportation must be addressed, Hull said.
"We need to match workers looking for jobs with jobs going unfilled. A revamped program would let people who want jobs to earn a living legitimately, while assuring that their rights are recognized," Governor Hull said.
Hull has volunteered Arizona as the site of a pilot project testing a revised and expanded guest worker program.
The letter on the proposal reads:
"On behalf of the United States-Mexico border states we write to express our continued support for the expansion and simplification of the current H-2 visa program for temporary workers. It is our firm belief that the H-2 system should be reformed in a way that will efficiently respond to the growing demand for labor in the agriculture and service industries."
"We understand that you have taken a leadership role on this important issue, and stand ready to support you in your efforts. As border governors, we have an in-depth understanding of the complexity of immigration and labor issues. One of the main reasons we support an expansion and simplification of the H-2 non-immigrant work program is to enable the United Sates to compete in a global marketplace. Without an available labor pool, our industries suffer or are forced to re-locate out of the United States."
"Due to the cumbersome nature of the existing program, employers are routinely looking for foreign labor outside of the program. Extensive administrative requirements, paperwork and regulations characterize the current H-2 guest labor program. We believe that an effective guest labor program would provide a reliable, expedient system in which employers can contract guest workers."
"We applaud your commitment to working to reform the H-2A program. You have our support in any effort to establish an effective guest labor program that would provide a new system that would directly respond to labor shortages, and ultimately increase the efficiency and competitiveness of our valuable industries."
Governor Hull and other governors from border states of the United States and Mexico attended a two-day meeting of the Border Governors Conference in Tijuana.
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Guest worker programs don't work because the guest workers always forget to go home and our government won't enforce the laws and round them up and deport them. Just seal the borders.
What do they plan to do with any "guest worker" who has a baby here? What are they going to do with employers who use it in a fraudulent way to displace American workers? If the Governor doesn't think that's happening right now with the H1-B program she's on some kind illegal substance. And are the laws on the books to prevent abuses being enforced? I don't think so. So what makes her think anymore new laws will be?
We need to make it clear to all politicians, including those who want to be- you either start looking out for OUR interests instead of everyone else's in the world, or you'll be greeted with one response- don't call us, we'll call you.
These prisioners could then be put on work projects in the states.. ( like picking lettace) with they pay going to the state for room and board,...