Vol. 71/No. 24      June 18, 2007

Initially presented as a “grand bargain,” the bill was negotiated by a dozen leading senators, including Ted Kennedy, a Democrat from Massachusetts, Jon Kyl, a Republican from Arizona, and the White House.

“No matter how difficult it may seem for some politically, I strongly believe it’s in this nation’s interest for people here in Washington to show courage and resolve and pass a comprehensive immigration reform,” said President George Bush in a June 1 speech urging the Senate to approve the bill.

Bush was responding to critics of the proposal, who have labeled it amnesty for millions of “law breakers.”

“This bill isn’t amnesty,” said Bush. “For those who call it amnesty, they are just trying to, in my judgment, frighten people about the bill. This bill is one that says we recognize that you are here illegally and there’s a consequence for it.”

Under the proposal, undocumented immigrants who apply for legal status would be required to pay fines and fees of at least $4,500 in order to obtain a renewable “Z” visa. After eight years, those with Z visas could apply for permanent resident status after they pay an additional $4,000 fine, show they speak English, remain employed, and pass a background check. Applicants would also have to leave the United States and apply from their home country. The application would be judged on a “merit” point system heavily weighted on skills, formal education levels, and job experience, instead of family ties.

The bill has also found opposition among many employers concerned that the proposed “merit-based” system will hamper the flow of labor.

“A merit-based system for allocating green cards may sound good for business,” said Robert Hoffman, co-chairman of Compete America, a conglomerate of high-tech companies. “But after reviewing the proposal, we have concluded that it is the wrong approach and will not solve the talent crisis facing many U.S. businesses.” Under the point system, “an individual would get points for special skills, but those skills may not match the demand,” said Hoffman.

Some bosses, especially in construction, meatpacking, and landscaping, back a guest worker program in order to maintain a pool of superexploited labor.

The White House and spokespeople for business associations have expressed opposition to the Senate’s decision to cut in half the number of “guest workers” allowed annually in the country from the 400,000 included in the original proposal.

“It’s a travesty,” said R. Craig Silvertooth, director of federal affairs at the National Roofing Contractors Association, referring to this provision. “It eviscerates the temporary worker program, which was one of the central reasons for the business community to be involved in the immigration debate.”

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez said 200,000 “is not enough.” He also opposed the Senate’s decision to ax a provision that would allow increasing the number of guest worker visas to up to 600,000 based on the bosses’ labor needs.

A May 21 New York Times article reported on the collaboration by business executives, trade union officials, and immigrant advocacy groups, like the National Council of La Raza, in seeking an immigration bill they find acceptable. “These alliances were on display last week at a dinner celebrating the 25th anniversary of the National Immigration Forum,” said the article. Sponsors of the dinner included Wal-Mart, Service Employees International Union, the United States Chamber of Commerce, Marriott, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the National Restaurant Association, reported the Times.

“We do not have enough workers to support a growing economy,” Randel Johnson, a vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, said at that dinner.

Senator Kyl has warned that if “killer amendments” that allow for immigration based on family ties pass, it would prompt him to “do everything I could to get [the bill] defeated,” reported the June 4 Washington Post.
 
 
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End raids, deportations! Help circulate ‘Militant’!  
 
 
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