Gutierrez Immigration Bill: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
They always say Hispanics do jobs that other Americans won’t do.
Believe it. You even see it in Congress. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) is getting ready to do something that none of his non-Hispanic colleagues are the least bit anxious to do: introduce a bill calling for comprehensive immigration reform.
Why the hesitation? Simple: grabbing hold of this thorny issue is a sure way to lose friends and infuriate people.
Here are three things to keep in mind about the legislation:
(1) It will likely be the template for what Gutierrez recently predicted would be a rebooting of the immigration debate in Congress during March and April of 2010. Other reform ideas are sure to follow from all quarters but, for the most part, they’ll all be attempts at addition or subtraction from the starting point of the Gutierrez bill. That’s only fair since no one else has stepped forward with competing legislation, and it makes this bill all the more important.
(2) It represents an admirable shift to the middle of the road by Gutierrez, who, five years ago, was simply talking about unconditional amnesty for 12 million illegal immigrants with nary a word about beefed up borders, background checks, or assimilating immigrants — all necessary parts of reform. Now the Illinois congressman seems to understand that, for many Americans, the borders have to be secured before anything is done about those illegal immigrants who are already here.
(3) It has a little bit of everything — the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good — more effective border enforcement and a conditional path to legalization for illegal immigrants. The bad — a possible end to workplace raids under the guise of advocating more “humane interior enforcement” and the omission of any plan for additional guest workers. The ugly — protection for U.S. workers against competition from illegal workers and an emphasis on family reunification as opposed to what should be emphasized: workforce needs.
Other provisions include improving employer verification systems, managing future flows of workers, ensuring an agricultural workforce, instituting a DREAM Act to give college and vocational students a shot at earned legal status, and promoting the integration of immigrants into society.
Or how about, better yet, an entirely new approach. I’d be all in favor of a bill like this:
#1 Build the damn border wall already
#2 Make it a felony punishable by five years hard labor to be in the country illegally
#3 Allow current illegals two weeks to return to country of origin before aforementioned felony was applied
#4 Make it a misdemeanor to attempt to label an illegal as “undocumented” punishable by a restraining order on writing in any public publication or speaking in any public forum for at least one year
We are fed up with this already….
Now, have at it, call me a racist, xenophobe, or whatever.
ML
When will Navarette and his ilk wake up and understand that “ILLEGAL” means that they have no right to be here in the first place. The only debate should be the severity penalty if they refuse to leave willingly, and I believe those laws already exist. The USA is a country under the rule of Law. Lock them up, then kick them out, and if they want to apply for LEGAL immigration, let them do it from their home country, an accept only those who have some useful qualifications. There is nothing ‘ugly’ about protecting American citizens and legal aliens with work permits from having their jobs taken by ILLEGALS. And if anyone thinks that Gutierrez, a Democrat from Illinois is going to write a bill that reads as he claims it will better wait until he sees what’s buried in the bill. Mr. Navarette, Who sent you?
“Now the Illinois congressman seems to understand that, for many Americans, the borders have to be secured before anything is done about those illegal immigrants who are already here.”
I want proof that this occurring. Democrats and “moderate” Republicans never seem overly concerned about border control. At best, they give it lip service—and then proceed to effectively weaken the newly enacted laws. Employer verification systems are meaningless unless they are inexpensive and easily available. It must be virtually effortless to double-check the legal status of a potential employee. The whole procedure should not take more than a few minutes for each applicant. Do we even have a national computer system that can handle the task? Employers must also be granted protection from lawsuits if mistakes happen due to government incompetence. The debate over those illegal immigrants who have been in the United States for a number of years indeed cannot take place until it is established fact that more will not be coming into the country. This is the nonnegotiable starting point to any further discussions. Everything else is of distant secondary importance.
…12 million illegal immigrants
There you go again understating the scope of the problem to make the solution more platable, yet it remains poison.
The true number of illegals is 30+ million. Take a drive across America, Rueben, to small towns like Cedartown Georgia, Boaz Alabama and Arcadia Wisconsin and then continue to tell me the number is 12 million. Who am I to believe, you or my lying eyes?
Mexico is stagnant because of the numbers that have moved and continue to move to the north. If they had remained in Mexico the pressure for reform of that corrupt state would be unceasing. The United States has acted as the pressure relief valve for Mexico for decades. It is time for that role to end.
What’s so bad about a revival of the old bracero program? That way we could get all the agricultural and other seasonal workers we need and Mexicans could work here legally as needed and take their money home and build up their own communities without the criminal elements taking a big cut of their labor. What we have now is a terrible situation that works for the benefit of the rich and corrupt on both sides of the border and works for the detriment of both low skilled American workers and the many villages in southern and central Mexico which have been emptied of their most productive citizens.
Legalization of illegal Hispanic immigrants is nothing but another Washington, DC smelly, wet mouse that thinks he can sneak by the sleeping cat and grab the chunk of golden cheese that’s waiting on the trap’s spring.
The mouse is going to loose his head period.
All of our elected politicians might learn a simple lesson from the issue of healthcare reform. Obey the law, abide by the will of the people and you’ll be fine.
Americans are fed up with dictatorial politicians that are forcing crap down our throats and destroying our nation in the process.
So, go for it Congressman Gutierrez and whoever else wants to join up; the political graveyards are filling up with Democrats, Independents and Republicans faster than you can say, “We’re doing the jobs you were elected to do, but won’t!”
The only acceptable solution to illegal immigration is increased enforcement at the border, increased enforcement in the workplace, and complete exclusion from all public services except emergency medical care followed by immediate deportation, no access to public education at all. Change the law to eliminate citizenship for those born in the United States to two noncitizens who are here illegally, while preserving citizenship for those born to noncitizens who are in the US legally.
No need to specifically go looking for illegals, just require proof of citizenship for employment, school, and all public services. When they’re found, they’re deported.
Provide a ‘departure holiday’ allowing all illegals to leave by a date certain without prejudice to a right to re-enter the US legally in the future, but any who are found here after the cut-off date will be permanently barred from any entry into the US for any reason, ever.
The ONLY acceptable path to citizenship is to go home and get in line like everyone else. Anything else makes a mockery of those who have played by the rules.
There isnt going to be any Immigration “Reform” Rubin. Got it?
80% the American public..want the illegals OUT. So you keep finding
scumbag Chicago vote whores to tell you the lies you want to hear..God knows there are enough of them in that slimey City.
The extreme right does not want to entertain the thought of health care reform or immigration reform because they have no thought(s) or answers, just opposition and denial. For them, tis better to let these problems fester like old bed sores than to address them and have our government do what its supposed to do and become part of the solution.. rather than part of the….continuing problem. But they arent running things anymore so the economy, the environment, the wars, health care and immigration can now be addressed with real answers, solutions and real action taken to start to solve these problems, serious problems that demand the usual NO… They just do not get it ..yet..they just do not get it Rubin, that is why they will continue to be so unpopular with voters. Great article. … Republicans should be taking notes, they just might get another shot at real leadership someday !!! Thanks.
Mr. Navarette:
“We need to provide a pathway to legalization for at least some of the undocumented, but it can’t be a cakewalk; those who broke our laws have to make amends and get right with the system.”
We do? Well okay then. Have the “undocumented worker” spill his guts and finger his employer, and then the employer gets to cough up the hefty assessment to the Feds and the States for the services that their peon cost.
How’s that for starts?
And while we’re on the subject of immigration “reform”, let’s revise the 1965 Immigration law that discriminated against Europeans and Asians and in favor of Africans and Hispanics.
I see no earthly reason why we should continue a racist policy that was a legacy of Cold War anti-Communist suspicion,(and craft Labor Union protectionism).
“…12 million illegal immigrants”
That is correct – that’s the number (roughly) from Mexico alone; the total number of illegals is estimated at 30 million.
The good, the bad, the ugly. Good, shut down and control the borders, you know that neo-isolationism fortress America thing. With real unemployment heading for 20 percent and skyrocketing U.C. tuition fees, no wonder the students are protesting, “Hell no, we won’t go!” Fine, there is always that bad old stoop labor picking watermelon with sixty units of worthless general education under your belt. At least field labor solves the obesity issue driving health care costs among the affluent. And let’s have the ugly, affirmative action immigration polices based on the American melting pot reflecting the current ethic make up of the world. That means America needs about, oh, a hundred million more Muslims or so, among other groups. Never waste a crisis, we do have the first post American President and congress to get comprehensive immigration reform done. We are the world!
9. Poor Citizen: “The extreme right does not want to entertain the thought of health care reform or immigration reform because they have no thought(s) or answers, just opposition and denial.”
Your statement is an absolute lie as proved by my post above which has also been proposed by many involved in agriculture all over this nation.
You think attitudes amongst the voting public are bad now? You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until more of the stimulus money starts flowing into construction projects and unemployed citizens try getting jobs and can’t because a bunch of greedy contractors and lefty politicians have colluded to employ illegals. When that happens and unemployment benefits run out for millions of citizens and legal immigrants the crap is going to hit the fan for the Democrat Party and those Republicans that serve only the interests of big business.
Mexicans illegally in this country should be arrested and deported with their families and children. No citizenship for those born here of illegals parents. Build the wall. Shoot on sight anyone climbing over or under the wall. No birth certificate and no english,–by by!!!
This is one of RN’s only immigration pieces that doesn’t misrepresent the facts or castigate those with who he disagrees. The only flaw is that by being even handed, his middle-of-the-road approach is bad policy. The right policy isn’t a negotiation – it’s what the majority of American’s want: secure borders, zero-tolerance for illegal immigration, and lower-levels of overall immigration that emphasizes skills over family reunification. What’s so hard to understand?
Poor Citizen, you said Republican candidates will continue to be unpopular with voters. Didn’t Republican candidates just recently win the elections for governor in both New Jersey and Virginia?
comprehensive illegal alien reform = amnesty
‘Nuff said
Split anymore hairs Mr. Navarette? I got some land I can sell you on the Mars.
So a Latino Dem from Chicago is taking a bold stand on immigration? More like a never heard of back bencher is exploiting a divisive issue to elevate his personal profile. And since he enjoys his seat in a safe district it should work well to elevate his profile – among latinos who share Rubins extreme left views on his favorite topic.
The real story Ruben is that despite your repeated propagandizing here and elsewhere on the subject – Chuckie Schumar – the senior senator from the most sanctuary friendly state (far more than Cali since immigration in NY is about multi-ethnic immigration rather than the speicious elitism that is Latino-centric) – has TABLED THE ADGENDA.
And still Ruben insists its comming back in March/April 2010. LOL!!!!!!!!
PJM is but a single light in a thousand internet ports that have been refuting the ridiculous arguments Ruben has been shilling for over a year on this; Immigration has been settled in the minds of Americans.
Bligeman is spot on. The reform of the ’64 immigration mistake that has given us three generations of latino problems dominating & despoiling this important issue is now getting bypassed in State after State – not just by fed up citizens like myself in Az.
The global shopping for cheap labor days are over – here as well as Europe. They have a lot more problems with jihidists like the murderer Hasan than we do – because of their liberal immigration policies they have comperable ghetto muslim communities to our own much more assimilated latinos – at least size wise.
Look at Academia. They are no longer given the leway to immigrate at their pleasure. The biggest reason that college admin types hate it is because it COSTS THEM MONEY – since the parents of immigrant students often pay a premium. That port is rapidly closing and has been since 9/11.
US employers will pay an extreme premium to shop for talent abroad. We shall she if the dire predictions pro-immigration forces claim this will cause (loosing out to other psudeo-democracies like India & others).
What they no longer get are tax breaks & other taxpayer assistance when saddling local economies with the costs of their employing cheap labor. Whether you call it protectionist or not. There is no debate except among fools who believe idiots like Ruben are leading luminaries.
Not just in 2010 either. The push against illegal immigration has been a resounding success in this country. Latinos and the supporters can either get used to it or move.
It was a success before this recession. The focus on the economy – which will dominate this country for YEARS – Strips naked the bogus arguments extolling immigration in the 21st century when wrongly comparing our past experiences in the 19th & 20th centuries.
Ive been out of a real job for almost 2 years. I was in construction for 35 years and now only latino immigrants are working here in Florida. My un-employment has run out and there are no jobs in sight. I know a hundred men like me or soon to be like me…thats just one guy who knows that many desperate people. Multiply that times thousands and you will see the coming unrest. I will not stand by and watch my family starve while illegal aliens drive $20,000 dollar pickup trucks. So if this so called congressman in Chicago want to bring more aliens in to do the few jobs that are still left in this country…I say “make my day”!
Ruben, you are a caricature of the extremist Latino.Turn your illegal green card in to Immigration and leave PRONTO.
I think this, or any immigration-related bill, has little chance of getting passed next year, when it couldn’t get passed in Bush’s previous push. Especially given unemployment rates, which are not going to be down to reasonable levels once next year’s elections roll around.
It could be a good faith effort to put something out there, or it could be a sucker’s play, trying to keep people in the country so they don’t miss out on a possible amnesty … and if they’re not in the U.S. they can’t get counted for the U.S. census. And these people will get nothing for sticking around, except for more reps they can’t vote for without committing fraud.
Luis Gutierrez, I thought this moron was elected to represent ‘the people’ and ‘uphold its laws’. Not illegals.
What I found amusing a few weeks back is when trying to email Luis Gutierrez, his site is inop. Much like his views of America.
This is where your tax dollars are going? A racist who furthers the infestation for those who hold NO allegiance nor respect the rule of law when emigrating?
Ruben if it wasn’t for PC and empathy sold by you and your ilk, our country would be infinitely more safe, competitive in the world market. To think, say otherwise is moot.
Though you prove your ‘backbone’ with not one response to any of the intelligent rebuttals to your idiotic scribblings..
As for the ‘Dream Act’, I’m sure you’re aware that less than 1/3 of the people who QUALIFY to become an American citizen DO NOT!
Heck, in D.C. a woman who was nominated to be the new Park and Recreation Director was turned down. One of the reasons being she could’ve done the paperwork to be an American citizen 9 YEARS AGO.
Face it Ruben, your banditos, banditas SOLE REASON being in the LAND of PLENTY is due to the plenty of ‘free stuff’ for these ‘poor’, ‘suffering’ illegal alien border and myriad of numerous laws offenders.
Appeasement for criminals.. only in a moronic, PC abiding America.
I think there is an easier fix. Just allow the non-partisan BLS recommend the H visa numbers on annual basis. SInce the BLS already has in depth study on the jobs picture and the future workforce needs, they would be in the best position to make a recommendation. COngress would then be allowed to review the report and vote up or down on the recomendation, sort of a BRAC style vote on visa numbers. If the Congress doesn’t vote the reommendation gets implemented.
Focus visa awards on the nuclear family and require passage of an English profenciency test to obtain another visa. That way we can shift the immigration processes towards filling ourworkplace needs.
There is no acceptable immigration proposal that that includes a path to legal status for those who are here illegally. And as for ending workplace raids? Forget it. Firms that are knowingly hiring illegal aliens to drive down wages deserve nothing but heavy fines.
Mexico is a steaming cesspool of corruption. The open border is a pressure relief valve for that corruption.
Ruben, how about this occurring in your very own San Diego County..
http://www.10news.com/news/21646903/detail.html
Why don’t you share information such as this to be more, oh I don’t know, ‘bi-partisan’ on the illegal issue. You know, ‘journalistic integrity’ and all..
You guys are really ignorant.
Even though they are illegal, they are people.
They are not a thing.
Think about it.
If you guys are in that situation, to have a better life, would you take a risk to cross the border?
Yup.
Why do you think they cross our borders for?
Because Our Country is better.
Did illegal immigrants did any stuff to make this country worse?
No.
I think If they want to become a LEGAL citizne, congress should set up some requirements and rules.
You guys are making illegal immigrants are same as a killer or drug dealer.
These people acutally came to this country to work and become a someone.
Why do you hate them when they are not bothering you?
Are you guys jealous that when no one trying to become a someone?
COME ON.
GIVE ME A BREAK.
YOU GUYS MAKES ME SICK.