Thread: WA:Hastings says Congress might look again at guest workers

Published on Saturday, August 18, 2007

Hastings says Congress might look again at guest workers
By LEAH BETH WARD
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings on Friday said Congress might take up legislation for a new guest worker program after Labor Day but that any hope of comprehensive reform is dead until after the 2008 presidential election.

Even the topic of legal guest workers -- presumably less inflammatory than how to deal with an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States -- will be volatile and depend on what agriculture employers report about this year's labor supply, Hastings said.

"There may be a move to get some sort of relief, a guest worker bill," Hastings, R-Pasco, said during a session with the editorial board of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

"I don't know if that's going to be successful. Even the agriculture industry is somewhat divided on this," he said.

The American Farm Bureau hasn't rallied behind AgJobs, the guest worker proposal advanced for several years by many agricultural employers and farm workers alike. It would streamline the existing H-2A program for importing temporary farm laborers and establish a pathway to residency and citizenship. The Farm Bureau hasn't been specific about its objections but hasn't endorsed the idea, according to Hastings.

"They're a significant player," he said.

But Hastings said he is "right in the middle" of bipartisan conversations to revive congressional activity on the thorny problem.

Congress is on summer recess and resumes Sept. 4. Any hopes of immigration reform collapsed in June when the Senate failed to muster the necessary 60 votes to end debate and proceed on the merits of the legislation, which was opposed by ultra-liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans.

Meantime, there could be a silver lining in the federal government's recent announcement that it will begin cracking down on employers who hire people without legitimate proof of their legal status. If employers are squeezed, they could pressure Congress into a solution.

"Sometimes it takes, painfully, something like this to be enforced to move Congress into action," he said.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the enhanced enforcement last week.

"We're going to continue to clamp down on employers who knowingly and willfully violate the laws," Chertoff said in a news conference.

Hastings became a member of the House minority last year for the first time since his election in 1994. He said he works well with the rest of the mostly Democratic state delegation on issues of importance to the Northwest.

"So much legislation gets passed on a bipartisan basis that doesn't get reported," he said.


Town hall meetings

U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, will hold two town hall-style meetings in Ellensburg and Yakima next week.

On Monday, he'll speak for about an hour starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Ellensburg Inn, 1700 Canyon Road.

On Wednesday, he'll be at the Harman Center, 101 N. 65th Ave. at 5:30 p.m.

The open forums are for residents to share their views and ask questions about issues affecting Central Washington and the nation.

For further information, contact Hastings' office at 452-3243.

http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/290387305621864

But Hastings said he is "right in the middle" of bipartisan conversations to revive congressional activity on the thorny problem

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What a cop-out! That took a lot of moral courage.

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I hope all of our ALIPACERS close to the town hall meetings can go and speak up fro Americans.

NO MORE "GUEST" WORKER PROGRAMS; we already have enough! Secure the border & enforce existing law, this is where our energy has to be focused. If it takes awhile to wean some businesses off of cheap labor, so be it. The macroeconomic effects will be minimal and well-run businesses will adapt.

Can't we make these people quite calling them 'guest workers'.

They can/should be called what they should be - temporary workers - nothing more and nothing less.

Voters must take note of the ones pushing this and vote them the Hell out. It's our only hope. 2008 is big year in our Nations Future!