House Republicans introduce immigration bill

[kerewin21 2]

Another section would modify an existing guest worker program for agriculture alone, lowering current pay requirements and no longer obligating farmers to provide housing for foreign workers. "There's a consensus that foreign workers are needed in the agriculture sector," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

Workers would not be able to bring their family and would not be able to gain citizenship, and one-quarter of their wages would be held in escrow to be picked up at the border when they returned home. They could stay for up to 22 months at a time and could participate repeatedly in the program but would have to return home between work periods for a duration of one-fifth the length of their stay in the U.S.

Don't you think this is a little harsh? Shouldn't the people who pick our produce at least have the same rights other people have to fair wages? Should we just create a subservient worker class with no rights, holding their money until they leave??? It seems very unamerican to me. Just because the people aren't Americans doesn't mean they shouldn't get the same respect and dignity as permanent residents or citizens, if they abide by our laws by complying with the guest worker visa program.

Edited June 20, 2007 by kerewin21

[Heracles 417]

Love the bill! Wait, no big fence! I want a big double layer fence. Maybe some signs saying "Trespassers will be shot"

The money for the fence has already been approved. Washington is dragging it's feet to build it.

I was just watching Glen Beck on CNN and heard that environmentalist have managed to prevent much of the border from being built due to the stress on local animals.. :lol:

no joke..

Edited June 20, 2007 by Infidel

[mawilson 2,133]

I'm not even sure they need go as far as a fence - deserts are generally a natural fence. Surely they'd be better off building some new bases down there and stepping up the patrols.

That is about the most logical thing. Building a fence won't slow the influx.

It will, if done right:

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Wake me up when they pass a bill that doesn't compromise.

Very true! It's refreshing to finally read something that actually reflects the voice of the people. Now, implementing that voice into law is another story.

I've been writting that we need to build something similar to the "Great Wall" of China for a minute, if we truly plan on slowing down illegal immigrants. Hehehehe!!!!

Edited June 20, 2007 by Sheriff Uling

[JoeMama 0]

Wow, I piss off someone everytime I post in the offtopic forum. Everybody's so damn uptight here.

Don't worry. You'll get used to it and it won't be a big deal.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I really can't see the 'fun part' in shooting someone.. if you think that is funny, I'm not the one with issues here..

'who else knew'.. lol.. yea try a pathetic comeback trying to ask everybody else... hehe.. n00b

the sarcasm was so thick and so easy to spot ... it was virtually dripping from the words ...

From your reaction ... guess no other country in the world shoots lawbreakers caught in the act of committing a crime.

Try crossing over its southern border into Mexico. They shoot trespassers there.

Another section would modify an existing guest worker program for agriculture alone, lowering current pay requirements and no longer obligating farmers to provide housing for foreign workers. "There's a consensus that foreign workers are needed in the agriculture sector," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

Workers would not be able to bring their family and would not be able to gain citizenship, and one-quarter of their wages would be held in escrow to be picked up at the border when they returned home. They could stay for up to 22 months at a time and could participate repeatedly in the program but would have to return home between work periods for a duration of one-fifth the length of their stay in the U.S.

Don't you think this is a little harsh? Shouldn't the people who pick our produce at least have the same rights other people have to fair wages? Should we just create a subservient worker class with no rights, holding their money until they leave??? It seems very unamerican to me. Just because the people aren't Americans doesn't mean they shouldn't get the same respect and dignity as permanent residents or citizens, if they abide by our laws by complying with the guest worker visa program.

Check out the labels on your produce and see how it's often imported, not plucked in the US.

Edited June 20, 2007 by Green-eyed girl

[Dan J 277]

Border enforcement is about 50% of the solution. Without immigration reform that include a relatively easy way for an unskilled working to come here and work, as well as addresses all those who are already here. The solution will prove futile.

Instead of entering through the desert, they enter on boat. Or find a way to Canada and through the relativity unsecured border. They will find a way in, or there will be people willing to help smuggle them in.

There will still be people willing to hire them, except it will be driven more underground. Possibly resulting in more instances of slavery or forced labor. They have no legal recourse since they are not suppose to be here, and there will be people willing to take advantage of it. But they will still be here. Using public services when they surface in an ER, and not paying taxes. There is legal employment which can be easily regulated and controlled and then there is the black employment. Anything from day labor paid in cash, to forced labor or prostitution.

Take a look at every time something is make illegal. It doesn't stop the activity, it only drives it underground. Alcohol was banned during the prohibition. That didn't stop people from making it or drinking it. The government couldn't collect taxes on something that it said was illegal. Same could be said for drugs, prostitution and abortion. There is nothing that indicates that illegal labor will be any different.

If there is anything that just securing the borders and tightening up employment laws, it will drive illegal immigrants deeper underground.

Now onto the other 50%.

There is no way I would support giving those here illegally any chance at citizenship. Doing so would devalue citizenship and what it means.

But if we are going to get out of the situation we are in, as well as to improve our security, collect taxes, and limit the impact to our economy. The best choice is to give legal status to those already here, and create a visa that would allow unskilled workers to come here and work. When I say legal status, I don't mean citizenship, or even the possibility of citizenship. Call it a blue card. Like a green card except that they would never be able to apply for citizenship, and they would be unable to petition family members to come to the US. If someone enters on the new work visa, they could apply for a blue card after 3-5 years, if they paid their taxes and had no criminal history.

If this is going to work, and we are actually going to fix the situation we are in. We have to do both. Period. We have to improve our border security and tighten employment laws. But we also have to deal with the illegal immigrants already here as well as reform immigration to satisfy our economic need for cheap labor. If do one and not the other. We only make the situation worse. Not better.

[Donna A 4]

oh my God for once in my life i agree with the republicans!!!!

[Caladan 19]

In a sharp rebuke to President Bush, House Republicans today introduced their own immigration reform and border security bill, a tough measure that would bar illegal immigrants from gaining legal status, require employers to check the legal status of all workers and make English the nation's official language.

Oh, good. So the House Republicans are more or less for the status quo, with a bit of 'learn English' nonsense thrown in. Seriously, 18,000 new CBP types are good for *stopping* the current flow. Employers are already required to check the legal status of all workers. Making that law is only as good as the enforcement. US VISIT isn't going to help track down an EWI. Ain't gonna do a damned thing about the eleven million already here.

My biggest fear with immigration reform is that we'll pass a stupid law that will, ironically, make it harder on people attempting to do the right thing because they'll be 'in the system.' But it will pass because it will say things like 'no amnesty' without explaining how it's not a de facto amnesty if not a de jure one.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

In a sharp rebuke to President Bush, House Republicans today introduced their own immigration reform and border security bill, a tough measure that would bar illegal immigrants from gaining legal status, require employers to check the legal status of all workers and make English the nation's official language.

Oh, good. So the House Republicans are more or less for the status quo, with a bit of 'learn English' nonsense thrown in. Seriously, 18,000 new CBP types are good for *stopping* the current flow. Employers are already required to check the legal status of all workers. Making that law is only as good as the enforcement. US VISIT isn't going to help track down an EWI. Ain't gonna do a damned thing about the eleven million already here.

My biggest fear with immigration reform is that we'll pass a stupid law that will, ironically, make it harder on people attempting to do the right thing because they'll be 'in the system.' But it will pass because it will say things like 'no amnesty' without explaining how it's not a de facto amnesty if not a de jure one.

It wouldn't be the first time that legislation aimed at curbing illegal activities ends up impacting law-abiders as much as the criminals.

[Caladan 19]

Sure, and this one has the bonus of doing nothing to impact most illegals at all. Score!

[Caladan 19]

And the Pullman town thing with the wages is just crazy talk. Why not just say 'But we like our little Hispanic slaves, we don't wanna give 'em up'? Seriously, would you let the government hang onto 25% of your income while they made it easier on your employer to undermine your rights?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It seems clear that some decisive action is really needed on this issue, but I'm curious as to how enforceable/achieveable some of it really is. Of course at the end of the day, something is better than nothing. But I'm still of the opinion that this govt should have pulled its finger out in the 7 years its been in office and done something to address the pressing domestic issues; which are of course - even more pressing for the relative lack of attention.

If Bush et al weren't fixated on playing the bullyboy on the foreign affairs stage and had actually dedicated some of that obscene amount of money they spent on Iraq to issues like illegal immigration, the country would be a lot better off IMO. Goes to show where the priorities of the corporate elite are - not on addressing the domestic concerns of the general population.

[Caladan 19]

Something can be worse than nothing. Throwing 18,000 CBP employees doesn't address the 11 million here, and telling big ag that they don't need to house their workers or pay them fair wages, in fact, they can even ensure that if you're legal, your paycheck will be held hostage until you leave... what incentive would I have, were I illegal, to bother to get legal? They aren't actually enforcing people already in the country, so why the hell would I agree to have my paycheck held hostage on the assumption I can continue to slip under the radar?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If this is going to work, and we are actually going to fix the situation we are in. We have to do both. Period. We have to improve our border security and tighten employment laws. But we also have to deal with the illegal immigrants already here as well as reform immigration to satisfy our economic need for cheap labor. If do one and not the other. We only make the situation worse. Not better.

Yes, that is what Teddy and Co. told he American people 20 years ago and I don't see how anything has gotten any better since. Judging from the past, doing both is going to make things worse rather than better as there is not going to be any enforcement once they have their amnesty. We've been there before, remember? The American people want to see the enforcement side done that was only promised to them 20 years ago before they are ready to sign off on another round of amnesty.