Thread: Guest-Worker Program Gets More Support from Lawmakers

http://www.elpasotimes.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 60361/1001

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Guest-worker program gets more support from lawmakers
Darren Meritz
El Paso Times

As a prelude to expected congressional debate this summer on immigration reform, Sen. John Cornyn on Saturday described his plan to create a temporary guest-worker program and bolster resources along U.S. international borders.

In El Paso, at the first Binational Migration Conference of church leaders, Mexican and U.S. Catholic bishops heard details of immigration reform legislation that Cornyn and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., plan to introduce in early July.

"We must find a way to protect our border security and uphold the rule of law, while at the same time bring immigrants who are truly here to work and provide for their families out of the shadows and into the law," the Texas Republican said.

"We know this is an issue that cannot wait any longer," he said.

Hard-working immigrants need a legal avenue for employment -- a temporary guest-worker program, he said.

Though an amnesty program for undocumented immigrants could send the message that breaking the law can lead to legal residency, a guest-worker program would instead allow immigrant workers a legal avenue for temporary employment in the United States, Cornyn said.

Though a temporary guest- worker program would require immigrants to return to their home countries after working in the United States for a couple of years, a worker visa program could provide immigrants with permanent residency, said Ouisa Davis, executive director of the Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services.

Immigration reform should include a program for a low-skilled-labor visa, which would be similar to visas available to professionals and high-skilled workers, Davis said.

"Anyone who comes here and works here should have the option of staying here and working if they so choose," Davis said.

Cornyn's proposal would authorize 10,000 new Border Patrol agents and 1,000 new immigration inspectors for U.S. ports of entry during the next five years.

The legislation would also authorize at least $1 billion each year from 2006 to 2010 for facilities, as well as for technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, camera poles and sensors used to control U.S. borders.

The three-day Binational Migration Conference, the first of its kind in El Paso, ended Saturday with a closing liturgy at St. Patrick Cathedral that celebrated immigration heritage.

The conference, organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Mexican Episcopal Conference, brought religious and immigration leaders together to discuss the direction the Catholic Church plans to take in responding to the needs of immigrants, refugees and migrants.

Darren Meritz may be reached at dmeritz@elpasotimes.com; 546-6127.

"We must find a way to protect our border security and uphold the rule of law, while at the same time bring immigrants who are truly here to work and provide for their families out of the shadows and into the law," the Texas Republican said.

And require the employers to provide medical insurance so that taxpayers are not paying when immigrants get sick.

Please correct me if I am mistaken but if they are here LEGALLY, then they are not in the "shadows".

If they are here ILLEGALLY, they need to be rounded up and told in accordance with our EXISTING LAW:

"HI ALIEN. YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. YOUR RIDE LEAVES AT 5 PM AND HERE IS YOUR HAPPY MEAL."

WHAT AMERICAN has a problem with this?

Not I, hopefully not You.

DEPORT ILLEGALS.

WE don't care about their families. That is their responsibility, not ours. That is the concern of their government, not ours.

WE send them "aid".

WE buy billions of dollars worth of "goods".

WE will help them improve their Government, if they "ask".

WE WILL NOT PROVIDE THEM A FOREIGN "HABITAT". PERIOD.

That Party is OVER!!