Lawmakers seek more visas for low-skilled seasonal workers

Lawmakers seek more visas for low-skilled seasonal workers
EUNICE MOSCOSO

WASHINGTON — GOP lawmakers said Tuesday they would try to force a bill to the House floor to increase seasonal visas for foreign workers.

An array of businesses — including crab farmers, beach resorts, and construction firms — could suffer greatly if Congress fails to increase the temporary visas for low-skilled employees known as H-2B’s, the lawmakers said.

Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., said that the hospitality and tourism business as well as the seafood industry could be hurt badly in his state, especially over the busy summer season.

Some businesses in a number of states could be forced to lay off permanent U.S. workers or even close down, lawmakers said.

“They all depend on this labor force to meet peak demand,â€

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In a report, the center said that the foreign workers were routinely cheated out of wages, forced to live in squalid conditions, and denied medical care for workplace injuries.

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Well, duh! That's what happens when they have to compete with another twenty million let in to this country to do "agricultural work." Competition always drives down wages and working conditions.
(Please note my sarcasm.)

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Some businesses in a number of states could be forced to lay off permanent U.S. workers or even close down, lawmakers said.

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How dare they threaten to lay off "U.S." workers because they can't find enough "cheap" foreign workers.

If the U.S. workers are satisfied with their pay, than word of mouth alone, should bring in more than enough LEGAL workers for businesses to keep running as usual, without bringing in foreigners on H2B visas. :?

How about this visa plan?

You allow them all of the H2-B visas they want, but they have to put down a $5000 deposit on each. When the visa holder leaves the US at the end of the season, the companies' deposit plus interest is returned.

Basically, it would put the risk of workers overstaying the visas in the hands of the businesses that are crying for them. Provided the labor they're clamoring for follows the rules, they get what they want. If the migrants try to stay, we at least gain a few thousand to put towards the taxpayer funded services they'll eventually defraud.

Shouldn't the businesses that are causing so much illegal immigration be financially responsible for the problem they helped create?

What do you all think?

NO Go pull them off the street corners all across this country!!!

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Boustany said that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is pressuring Democratic leaders to stall the legislation because it is seeking a broader immigration reform.

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"Broader immigration reform" means amnesty, and the answer remains NO!

Enforce the law!