Bush moves to open US doors to more Immigrants
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/n ... 05-004.htm
By Sam Omatseye reporting from US
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Nigerians who plan to live in the United States may not pay attention to the visa lottery alone, if the wave of immigration proposals before the nation’s Congress sail through. President George W. Bush is proposing what has been described as a guest worker programme which will allow immigrants to stay and work in the country for a yet unspecified period of time before returning to their various countries.
The other proposals are from two Congressmen. Senator John McCain is staking out an even more sweeping legislation, which will put illegal immigrants on the path to citizenship. These two proposals are controversial as they are perceived by conservatives as opening the border to foreigners.
The third proposal launched by Senator Jon Kyl proposes a plan to avoid giving any illegal immigrant any path to citizenship. McCain is believed to be eyeing the presidency in 2008, although he said he will wait till after the off-year elections next year. He ran as a maverick candidate in 2000 under the Republican umbrella. Kyl is a lesser-known Republican, but one on the far right of the party.
Most Nigerian immigrants in the U.S. see these proposals are positive developments for Nigerians who have no legal documents to live and work in the country.
“I hope they pass the law,� noted one Nigerian who does not want to be named. “Even if it is a guest worker programme, it will allow some to gather enough money before going back home.�
Another Nigerian commented that the law may pave the way for clever ones to take advantage of the loopholes to become citizens in the long run.
“It is largely a political gimmick,� remarked another Nigerian who said the plan is directed mainly at people from Latin America, especially Mexicans, whose populations are the largest growing in the nation. Such legislation will endear the people to the party. Bushed gather a significant chunk of the Hispanic vote in the 2004 presidential elections.
The President’s proposal was intended to strike a balance between two forces in the conservative spectrum in the U.S. One group tolerates immigrants to work in the country because they will do jobs that most Americans shy away from. This is regarded as an exploitative dimension to immigration. These immigrants will be paid minimum wages and work long hours.
The conservatives that favour this belong to big business and corporations.
The other group detests immigration for cultural reasons. They feel that immigrants will take advantage of the welfare programmes, will not pay taxes and will pollute the culture of the country.
This is regarded by critics as racist or xenophobic politics by some on the Democratic or progressive branch if politics.
“Listen,� remarked President Bush while fielding questions on the subject. “There are a lot of opinions on this proposal. I understand that. But people in this debate must recognize that we will not be able to effectively enforce our immigration laws until we create a temporary worker program.�
The Democrats believe that a solid immigration policy should be more encompassing.
“Democrats support immigration policies that will reunite families, provide for continued American economic growth, protect the rights of American workers, secure economic stability for our neighbours to the south and honour the values of the United States of America as a nation of immigrants,� said Democratic Senator Harry Reid, the minority leader in the Senate.
The proposals seek to tackle the huge numbers of illegals in the system who work without proper documentation, and are therefore exploited and do not pay taxes. Many Nigerians fall into this category.
Such illegals do not take advantage of opportunities for career and status improvement in the country. They cannot get certain classes of jobs, or take advantage of educational opportunities and scholarships.
They also cannot move in and out of the country. While in the country, they live in uncertainty as they could be exposed anytime and this could lead to deportation proceedings.
It is doubtful if any law can be passed in the next year or two, although it depends on how seriously the Bush administration and Congress handle it. The Republicans hold a majority in both chambers of Congress and no law will pass without a majority of them behind it.
“As Congress finally begins to address this problem, I hope that you will stand up to the right wing of your party and stand up for what is right,� said Raid in a letter to the President.
