Today there are millions of undocumented workers in the U.S. The Bush administration had six years of a Republican Congress that would put forth any legislation that Bush wanted. No immigration legislation was processed at that time. Now that the Democrats are in charge of the House and Senate, Republicans introduced amendment after amendment designed to poison immigration legislation, which failed in the Senate last week.
There has been an elephant in this room of the immigration debate that nobody is really talking about. Corporate America really wants illegal immigrants. Businesses can pay them as little as possible, offer them few, if any benefits, and can call immigration authorities if an illegal tries too hard to get better pay or benefits.
How do we manage illegal immigration?
First, we recognize that there is a strong economic bias in favor of the U.S. Our government must take a leadership position and insist that Mexico and Central American countries clean up the endemic corruption that stifles economic activity in their home countries. I know that it is radical to ask our government to take a leadership position after seven years of the Bush administration, but we can and must do it.
Second, we must recognize that corporate America is drawing illegals like a magnet. We could stem that by granting currently employed illegals a 3- or 4-year amnesty during which they would have to prove that they are worthy of staying in this country. Yes, they broke the law, but if you lived in their country, wouldn't you be the first in line to illegally cross the border to get here? If those granted this temporary amnesty do not maintain gainful employment, they would be deported.
Lastly, and most controversially, I would encourage, if not require, union membership for all those granted amnesty. This would stop corporate America from drawing illegals into this country in a hurry.
Wallace Eastman, Las Vegas
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