More on Immigration

In my last post, I divided the Immigration Bill into three parts and suggested each be addressed separately: border security, what to do with the illegals already here, and future visa/immigration policy. The first is a no-brainier to virtually everyone living outside of the beltway: control the borders. To argue, on one hand, that we are in a global war on terror and NOT do everything possible to control our own borders is an idiotic contradiction, that the dumbest among us can understand (again, outside of the beltway).

I suggested that the second issue, what to do with those already here, be approached carefully, equitably and compassionately. The present bill that suggests a $5,000 fine, learning English, and waiting 8-12 years strikes me as too severe in some cases. I oppose blanket amnesty, but in view of the fact that we have collectively, through our representatives and Democratic and Republican administrations allowed the situation to grow to its present proportions, I believe "selective amnesty" to be appropriate. Congress would establish broad guidelines and turn the matter of the 12 million illegals over to immigration courts (which would need drastic expansion - but the entire judiciary has needed dramatic expansion for some time. In my opinion, this has to be accompanied by some type of national identity card, a temporary visa upon registration and resolution of individual cases within a reasonable time frame, say four to six years. As for English, I would suggest the requirement be "sufficiency such as to pass the standard citizenship test." And, the fine should be a range, from perhaps $500. to a $5000 max. I am afraid that the "path to citizenship" as presented will create obstacles to registration. Criminal illegals either go to or remain in U.S. jails for serious offenses; minor offenses, but not misdemeanors, gets the illegal a ticket back to country of origin. Back taxes need to be collected, at least at a rate of a certain percentage on the dollar. In general, if an illegal alien has been in-country for a substantial amount of time, has a family here, can proof employment, paid taxes and not abused our social services, I would be inclined to grant immediate amnesty or perhaps one involving a slap on the wrist. The further away from the "ideal," the more difficult the path to citizenship.

The "guest worker" program needs to be broken out from other visa types. There will always be political, family, medical, educational, etc. reasons for granting visas. The key in these areas is in evaluating the need and tracking to ensure a continuing situation wherein the visa is still necessary.

I also feel, the guest worker program must have two principal components: the burden for the need should be placed upon business (i.e. no limits, but a rigorous needs test) and such visas should offer a longer, more stringent path to citizenship.

Regarding the former, business should have to advertise for workers within the United States first, for a certain period (say 30 days). If there are no "qualified applicants" (tough to precisely define), then they may apply for an "guest worker visa." In conjunction with this request, they would have to post a "bond," in an amount equal to round-trip transportation costs and the equivalency of one month's additional pay. The Immigration Service would verify all of this and approve a four year visa. The employer would have to pay a "prevailing wage rate" less their costs (the transportation and the additional month's wages). If the person holding the visa proved to be unacceptable or the business need changed, the visa holder would have thirty days to find other employment, under the same conditions, with the employer's burden simply transferring to the new employer, or would lose the visa and be forced to return to the country of origin. The employer, perhaps through a "group insurance plan," would be required to provide basic health care insurance. The American people should not be expected to cover social services for "guest workers." The employer, however, would be entitled to withhold health care insurance costs from wages and be partially reimbursed through an appropriate tax deduction.

Overall, this would reduce the present business advantage to guest worker utilization, but not eliminate it and the reduction of these benefits would encourage employers to find suitable workers within our borders and become more involved in the education and training of U.S. citizens for their future needs.

These are only suggestions for what is, granted a complex issue. However, I believe that the current situation gives essentially a free ride to business (and certainly not entirely to big business) at the expense of taxing the rest of us (by government funding of social and educational services to non-taxing paying, undocumented illegals). My individual social conscience tells me we cannot simply deny these people needed services, but I would like to see a little more "social conscience" on the part of everyone. If, because of competitive pressures, they can't adopt such consciences individually, then that is what government is for, through regulation. Free markets, free trade, de-regulation and the Great Justification of Globalization just doesn't get it anymore, particularly when more often than not, these arguments are simply cover for individual, short term greed.

Finally, from the individual visa holder's perspective, I believe it against our history and values to create a permanent "underclass" of guest workers. In my opinion, one of our greatest strengths has been due to the rise of immigrant classes, from Chinese workers "imported" to build large portions of our railroads, to the Italians, Irish, and Vietnamese fishermen on today's Gulf of Mexico. Material wealth may be an across the board common denominator for most immigrant groups, but it is not the sole motivation. I would like to think that becoming a citizen of the United States means more than only increasing one's net worth. At the end of the guest worker's visa some provision must be made to transition to permanent residency and citizenship for those desiring such. The current bill addresses this issue, but the complex two year guest worker status, with renewal provisions requiring a year's absence in between seems overly complex and extremely difficult to track.

Next, back to Iraq, the War on Terror, the failure of the Bush Doctrine and a discussion of the question facing Congress: Cut Off Funding or Impeachment?