Immigration
The immigration reform issue has been one of the most important news this week.
Congress passed an immigration reform bill in last December that makes encouraging, directing or inducing a person to enter, attempt to enter or remain in the United States illegally a felony.
There was a bill passed by the Senate last Monday that would allow the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to become legal residents and would create a new guest worker program for those seeking jobs in the United States in the future.
The legislations now being debated in the Senate and congress would have a huge impact and could change the lives of millions of immigrants, legal and illegal, who live and work in this country.
There has been large demonstration in major cities such Los Angeles and Chicago. Immigrants and prominent religious leaders protested on Capitol Hill for immigration reform. The Media has been focusing on this issue non-stop by giving it an unprecedented coverage.
There is a large segment of the American people (mostly Rednecks and bigoted reight wingers) that oppose such legislation and want stronger border controls and oppose any expansion of immigration. Even if their concern is addressed, these anti-immigrant groups will not be satisfied until they see an expulsion of all illegal aliens out of the country.
The US economy needs these immigrants and their labor. Imagine without their work input what would have happened?
Immigrants are not taking away the good paying jobs from American citizens. Immigrants are working with low wages with an incredibly high turnover rate. Would Americans fill the gap and take a minimum wage paying job?
Will american scrub floors? work in farms? be dishwashers and busboys?
There will definitely be a shortage of labor and the overall economy would suffer.
If the issue of immigration reform is done properly, it could bring millions of illegal people out of the darkness and could free them from exploitation and fear.
It could let these poor immigrants to compete freely in the open market, demanding fair and just working condition and living wages. Documenting and legalizing the so-called illegal aliens will provide them the chance to be part of the greater society and to pursue that illusive American dream with no fear of deportation and exploitation.
On the other hand, if the issue is addressed wrongly, immigration reform could further divide American society. Alienating immigrants could further divide United States along class and racial lines. It would definitely create a permanent under privileged class of people with no hope of ever attaining legal status. It could force millions of immigrants to hide from law enforcement. It has the potential to criminalizing them and thus makes them a prey to criminal elements. Poor immigrants will not be able to have any opportunities to better the life and the future of their children.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 7:00 AM.
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