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Amnesty and guest worker program: A solution or just more Mexico bashing?

By Patrick Osio, Jr./HispanicVista.com

  April 17, 2007

 

  

 

   (Editor’s Note: The below article was first published by HispanicVista on July 30, 2001, 42 days before 9/11. As it was relevant then it is even more so today. Prior to 9/11 the self proclaimed elected officials and their extremists cohorts, would be saviors of the nation protecting our borders from “terrorists” didn’t have that excuse then it was only Mexican bashing. In those days, no attention to the illegal hiring practices of businesses was mentioned as the magnate for illegal immigration or of using the existing guest worker program already in the books as per the 1986 IRCA legislation mandated.)

 

Amnesty and guest worker program: A solution or just more Mexico bashing?

By Patrick Osio, Jr.

 

While emotional outbursts against Mexico may provide venue for venting anger and frustration, they continue to ignore US industries' role and the reality of our present situation.

Illegal immigration exists because there are individuals and businesses willing to break US federal laws prohibiting hiring of undocumented workers instead of availing themselves of existing guest-worker programs, such as the H-2A visas for temporary agricultural workers. So if the Mexicans who cross our border illegally are criminals, so are those Americans hiring them.

Instead of an aggressive enforcement campaign against such hiring practices, public officials in response to special interests have for years opted for building fences, and adding Border Patrol officers along the border, but never enough. Fences and officers to keep people out, also keeps people in, so it is not surprising that the 2000 census found that of the potential 8 million illegal immigrants, over 37 percent, 3 million, are from Mexico.

The seduction of our elected officials through campaign donations and political support by special interests needing plentiful cheap and non-complaining labor has had its consequences bringing us to the present situation. According to the Urban Institute undocumented immigrants represent 34 percent of domestic workers; 23 percent of agricultural and fisheries workers; 21 percent of textile and assembly workers; 18 percent of service workers; 18 percent of material handlers and helpers; and 12 percent of transportation workers. Though it may be hard to swallow, there are sectors throughout the US that would collapse without these immigrants.

Not granting amnesty does not mean the millions denied it would return to Mexico. Now what? Finding and deporting such vast numbers would require far more personnel and economic resources than some form of official pardon. And those deported, because of their economic desperation, would make multiple attempts at returning.

The absence of a guest-worker program would not stop illegal border crossings, so the US would have to provide more than ten times the present available border resources to make a dent on the problem at a cost far higher than a guest-worker program, and still not succeed, nor satisfy the needs for their type of labor in the US.

Indications are that amnesty will face unpopular public and political support in the US. Instead the US should consider a guest-work program that would include those who are already here. The program could allow for renewal periods, and include as "guests" their immediate family members. Newcomers would enter as "contracted-guest-workers" with specific jobs waiting.

However, any program can only work provided aggressive enforcement, and severe fines and sentences are included in existing laws prohibiting the hiring of undocumented workers.

This may include the need for a forgery-proof national ID card.

The argument that such a card would be an intrusion on our privacy and lend itself to abuse is lame, as we gave up privacy and opened the door to abuse when we applied for a Social Security number, a driver's license, a passport, or the first credit card.

In some US industries it is far cheaper to hire undocumented workers, and then plead not knowing their status. These industries are heavy political contributors and wield much power. So we are faced with the ultimate question - will the people's Congressional representatives and Senators forgo special interests or will this turn into another round of Mexico bashing as the excuse for doing little?

Original article at: http://www.hispanicvista.com/html/010730osio.htm

 

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Patrick Osio, Jr. is the Editor of HispanicVista (www.hispanicvista.com) and columnist with the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine (www.sandiegometro.com).

 

(The opinions expressed by Patrick Osio, Jr. are solely his and do not necessarily reflect those of HispanicVista.com, editorial board of advisors or it’s contributing writers.)

Patrick Osio, Jr. has written a short but intensive manual on the Mexican perspective on numerous issues between our two countries. The manual is an in depth primer on the culture and protocol for better understanding Mexicans that in turn allows establishing personal and business relationships, and how to avoid the most common faux pas that can ruin relationships and business deals.

The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 making it possible to download the manual for save on your hard drive, printing its entirety or particular sections while reaping considerable savings over printed copies.