Jobs, Taxes & Benefits

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North of the Border: Bush Responds to Millions of Undocumented Workers

On Wednesday, January 7, 2004, President Bush announced his plan to promote a new immigration policy that would temporarily legalize illegal immigrant workers.

The plan has drawn a fair amount of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, but has also inspired praise from some members of these groups. Bush has but broadly sketched out his plan, and the lack of specifics may account for the wide variety of reactions from both sides of the aisle.

Since it is such a delicate issue, immigration policy is truly made in the details, and those details remain to be seen. Policy analysts note that Bush has made a habit of introducing vague policies that are then supposed to be sorted out by members of Congress, giving the administration the first press coverage and then an opportunity later to broker the final deal.

Congress is, after all, the body that will eventually determine any immigration policy changes, but since Bush’s plan meets resistance from members of both parties, the plan may be doomed.

Why would Bush propose a policy with little support?

Some theorize that Bush’s new immigration policy is mainly an election strategy. Since Bush needs to win the votes of the large and ever-growing Hispanic population, validating Mexican workers is a smart political move. Bush called for immigration reform in his 2000 campaign, and then won 35% of the Hispanic vote. Bush’s advisors claim that this year, the President needs about 40% of the group’s votes.

The proposal also appeals to a group that analysts are calling the “suburban swing voters," who may vote for a Republican who is a “compassionate conservative."

However, Bush’s proposal has upset less-moderate Republicans who are opposed to collaborating with illegal workers. But Bush’s strategists are less concerned with wooing the far right who will probably vote for him anyway. Our two-party system encourages candidates to campaign toward the middle as the time gets closer to November of the election year.

What is Bush’s proposal?

The basic premise of Bush’s proposal is a three-year work permit offered to any illegal immigrant with a job or job offer. This permit may be renewed at least once, and perhaps several more times, depending on Congress’ negotiations.

This guest-worker program does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship, but immigrants would be able to pursue green cards (permanent residency for employees who can prove they have special skills) or citizenship papers while they have the temporary permit.

In his speech, Bush clarified that employers must first offer jobs to U.S. citizens, and if there are no takers, then immigrants may be hired/validated. Bush did not reveal just how this hiring process will work. Will workers be recruited in their villages and towns? What would be the selection process?

The policy begs the question: How can employers prove that no Americans are willing to do the job? Economists point out that if employers paid a fair wage, then American citizens would do the work and illegal immigrants would not be lured over the border.

In effect, Bush’s plan is a method for documenting workers of whom the government has no record and collects no income taxes. Immigrant workers do pay sales taxes, but this plan will require them to pay on earned income as well. Once legal, workers will be able to send their kids to public school and to access public services such as healthcare, without the risk of deportation.

The essential worker

Currently, undocumented immigrant workers perform essential labor that American workers are unwilling to perform for low pay. Specifically, the agricultural and restaurant industries depend on migrant workers for efficient labor at very low cost. All Americans benefit from migrant workers -- the inexpensive labor allows farmers and restaurants to keep prices low. All Americans, however, also pick up the cost through taxation of public school, healthcare, welfare, and housing for workers below or near the poverty line.

In his speech, Bush established that immigrant laborers play a vital role in the U.S. economy and suggested that these workers be recognized for their efforts. He then warned that they should not be rewarded for crossing the border illegally. For this reason, Bush refuses to grant illegal immigrants amnesty, as Congress did in 1986.

Here, the policy contradicts itself. It recognizes immigrant laborers to be a fundamental piece of the overall economy, meaning the proposal understands the flow of workers from México as a logical response to a shortage of low priced labor – a problem for some business owners. And yet, by offering a temporary permit only, the proposal may be said to blame and punish the migrant worker for breaking the law – i.e., breaking into the country when others are lined up waiting their turn.

Protecting the migrant worker

Hispanic groups and groups that represent the illegal immigrant feel that Bush’s proposal is a step in the right direction, but by no means an end point. The temporary permit will allow migrant workers access to government services, but it does not offer permanent rights or encourage any long-term participation in U.S. civic life.

Mexican president Vicente Fox also feels that the proposal is a good beginning, and is pleased that workers with the temporary permit will be able to visit their families in México and then return to work in the U.S.; however, Fox would like to see broader protections for workers and changes in the trade regulations between the two countries.

Immigrant response

According to the New York Times, immigrants are responding to the proposal in a variety of ways. Some say that they would gladly sign up for the permit in order to make trips to México without risking deportation. Others claim that without long-term benefits of job flexibility, they are not motivated to pay the fee for temporary documentation.

What do you think? What benefits, such as health care, housing, and education, should be extended to undocumented workers? How would you advise your Congressperson to respond to the eleven million illegal immigrants that live in the United States? The issue is an intricate one. But your representatives may be voting on Bush’s proposal. What would you advise them to do?

Discuss this issue with other WomenMatter readers in one of our online forums. Read more about jobs, taxes, and benefits and the globalization of labor, and when you’re ready, link up with your representatives and let them know what you think.

Article Posted on: 1/12/2004

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