09/05/2007
Immigration Debate Rages Back To Forefront
By: Joe Murray , The Bulletin

With an embattled Congress returning to Washington this week and the race for the White House kicking into high gear, this Labor Day weekend witnessed three events that catapulted immigration back into the national spotlight.


"Labor Day Weekend is all about honoring the contributions of the American worker, and [immigration reform] is all about sending the message that even one American job stolen by an illegal alien is one job too many," stated Pennsylvania state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler.


Metcalfe, frustrated by the federal government's inaction over immigration, founded State Legislators for Legal Immigration, a coalition of lawmakers from 30 states dedicated to passing legislation that curbs illegal immigration and fills the gaps left by the federal government.


The lawmaker argued that the influx of illegal immigrants into the nation has not only hurt the U.S. economy but has placed the American worker behind the eight ball. He noted that the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a 50 percent decline in wages for high school dropouts between 1980 and 1990. Metcalfe attributed that drop to illegal aliens.


Metcalfe was one of many immigration reform activists to participate in a Voice of the People Rally that took place on the steps of the state capitol building on Saturday. The rally was yet another reminder that on immigration the Washington establishment is disconnected from grassroots America.


Metcalfe used the Labor Day rally to refocus attention on his "National Security Begins at Home" legislation package. Endorsed by a number of immigration reform activists such as Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta, Metcalfe's package consists of five pieces of immigration reform legislation: (1) mandatory employer enrollment in the federal Social Security new employee verification program, (2) permitting state and local law enforcement to aid federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws, (3) maintaining criminal records of those illegal immigrants previously detained, (4) terminating the professional license of any employer who hires an illegal immigrant and (5) elimination of all non-medical emergency benefits for illegal immigrants.
"Once the economic attractions of illegal jobs and taxpayer-funded public benefits are severed at the source, these illegal alien invaders will have no choice but to go home on their own," Metcalfe said.


But while Metcalfe was re-energizing the immigration reform movement in Harrisburg, the Teamsters were unsuccessful in their attempt to pull the plug on a new federal program that permits Mexican truckers to cross the border into the U.S.


Joined by the Sierra Club and Public Citizen, the Teamsters sued in federal court, which included a request for a temporary injunction, in hopes of stopping the new program. The appellate court denied the injunction, all but ensuring Mexican trucks could be driving in the U.S. as early as Thursday.


"This is the wrong decision for American working men and women," James Hoffa, Teamster's president, told reporters. "We will now proceed to litigate this case on the merits. We believe this program clearly breaks the law. We will continue to fight for safety and national security in the courts and in Congress."
Hoffa argues the program jeopardizes national security and will lead to an increase in human and drug smuggling.


"Dangerous trucks should not be driving all the way from Mexico to Maine and Minnesota. What is it about safety and national security that George Bush doesn't understand?" asked Hoffa.


The government argues that the program is safe because it requires that all trucks be inspected and their whereabouts be documented, but opponents point out that such requirements are only in effect while the program is in its "pilot" phase.


Prior to this agreement, Mexican trucks were permitted to operate only within a 25-mile zone of the border and had to transfer their loads to American trucks.


And with the White House aggressively pushing for this new program, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney used the Labor Day weekend to redefine his position on immigration.


In the past few months Romney's position on immigration has come under scrutiny, for many contend that the Massachusetts Republican has flip-flopped on the issue. Romney, at a campaign stump in New Hampshire, took the time to define his immigration position.


"Amnesty, in my opinion, is the wrong way to go, and I believe the other candidates in this race are planning on amnesty, which I think is a mistake," said Romney.


Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us.


©The Evening Bulletin 2007

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