Home of Today’s Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald January 28, 2007

I am optimistic about seeing a reform of the immigration jungle that currently entangles the nation and encourages otherwise law-abiding folks to break the law. This issue, that keeps being pushed out of the way, has also gone on to precipitate a lack of confidence in the process and the “rule of law” that the “rulers” speak about so often.
Though the issue of a secure border and an orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country occupied only three paragraphs in the “State of the Union” address it was one of the few issues that was widely applauded in the Congressional body.
The Bush address was watched by 45.5 million folks on TV. A CNN poll described the audience as older than the average adult population, and more interested in politics in general. It was also reported that they were more likely to keep an open mind about the issues than those that don’t watch.
Before the speech most of those in the survey opposed sending additional troops, 60% didn’t think the President shared their priorities, and at a rate of 2 to 1 they disapproved of the way immigration was being dealt with by the administration.
After the speech and other comments 80% approved of most proposals and support for the troop surge increased to 53% from 38%.
The survey indicated that the President also changed the minds of most on immigration and border security. The approval rating grew to 56% from 31% before the speech.
The folks surveyed were unclear about what exactly was most liked!
What intrigued me was the following paragraph:
“Yet even with all these steps, we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border — and that requires a temporary worker program. We should establish a legal and orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country to work on a temporary basis. As a result, they won’t have to try to sneak in, and that will leave Border Agents free to chase down drug smugglers and criminals and terrorists.   We’ll enforce our immigration laws at the work site and give employers the tools to verify the legal status of their workers, so there’s no excuse left for violating the law.” 
We here on the border know more than most how difficult even the most insignificant of procedures are to accomplish when dealing with the immigration offices and the functionaries at the various consular offices. We also know all too well that there are many that are “more equal” when being considered for some approval or another.
Any attempt at tacking on new benefits and permissions must be proceeded by a reforming of the process. The current system of bureaucracy is broke and the political haggling in the formerly “smoke filled rooms” has left us with an unmanageable system where it is all but impossible to assure consistent fair decisions in a reasonable time for even the most straight forward of issues.
Just in the last week a colleague who has been working in the U.S. on a “NAFTA” visa, found a new client and wanted to properly change his visa to reflect the new employment. When all the mountains of paper were prepared and ready the Consular Office advised that they might have an interview in a time frame of several weeks to six months. The visa is set to expire within a month or two and leaves this skilled professional and his family under great stress.
In another case a friend who had immigrated to the U.S. more than 10 years ago had completed all his requirements for Naturalization, including the interview, which was done, at the same time as another close friend. At the time it was noted that the INS officer could not locate a particular file and promised to locate it and an early “swearing in”. The “friend” became a citizen in time to vote in the last election and in spite of repeated inquiries nothing has been heard as of today.
This has to get fixed and a provision for an ombudsman established. Further, there needs to be a more economical and less intimidating way to get assistance in dealing with the authorities. The costs of an attorney and just the intimidation for many who are already fearful of the “wealthy and government people”, discourage compliance as well. Perhaps a system of Immigration practitioners, with retired immigration officers at the core could provide a reasonable alternative and discourage a growth in the bureaucracy
During the course of debate that is promised in the Presidents speech the ugly heads of which national or cultural group will have preference, how will we determine how many immigrants can be allowed to enter, and on.
We have seen that when the system over controls then the less than legal means takes over. Essentially when all the jobs are filled and all the new businesses and services are in place, then there is no motivation to immigrate except to misuse the American generosity.
Currently, there appear to be at least 10,000,000 more jobs than there are legal residents who want them or we would not be debating this now.
The caveat is the wage for the job! A new immigrant is willing to take a much lower starting salary than perhaps someone on public assistance who may well receive more than that in benefits.
Even with the issue of wage levels, I believe that the system of supply and demand of workers with particular skills and demonstrating superior productivity will control the numbers of workers and wages. It will also continuously expand the economy as more different folks arrive new services and products will be needed providing for even more growth. All the government has to do is get out of the way. No government supported recruiting offices should even be considered and in fact the entire process should be funded by the potential employer and the potential worker.
Lastly, as alluded to in the Presidents speech any legalization must take place after all of those who try to immigrate legally are resolved. Currently, there are hundreds and perhaps thousands who have been waiting 20 or more years for a visa. All of those who have been granted an approved petition status should be permitted to immediately enter the U.S. and join their families and friends and be issued visas first.
All aliens currently in the U.S. without official status and any future aliens seeking to work or reside in the United States, should at their own expense, find an employer willing to sponsor him or her and petition for a temporary work permit. No family should be permitted to accompany the worker until approved for permanent residence, nor should any children born during the period should be granted automatic citizenship. All immigration could be initiated the same way.
It seems that a majority of the Congress and the President are inclined to do something about this one of the country’s most important issues today.
We must however watch carefully to avoid personal greed driving the issue rather than an interest for a better America.