EWIC PRINCIPLES FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM Printer Friendly


Reform should be comprehensive: addressing both future economic needs for future workers and undocumented workers already in the United States.

Reform should strengthen national security by providing for the screening of foreign workers and creating a disincentive for illegal immigration.

Reform should strengthen the rule of law by establishing clear, sensible immigration laws that are efficiently and vigorously enforced.

Reform should create an immigration system that functions efficiently for employers, workers, and government agencies.

Reform should create a program that allows hard working, tax paying undocumented workers to earn legal status.

Reform should ensure that U.S. workers are not displaced by foreign workers.

Reform should ensure that all workers enjoy the same labor law protections.



EWIC IMMIGRATION POLICY OUTLINE


A. New Non-Immigrant Programs Based on Economic Needs

• A short-term program for industries that have short-term needs for one year or less.

• A long-term program that could be renewed if there are continuing needs.



B. New Immigrant Visa (Permanent Residence) Program Based Upon Economic Needs

• Available to participants in either short-term or long-term non-immigrant programs.

• Based upon petition by either Employer or Employee through a test of the U.S. labor market.

• With sufficient numbers of immigrant visas.

• New employment-based permanent visas should not come at the expense of other immigration categories.



C. Mechanism for Undocumented Workers in the U.S. to Earn Legal Status

• Establish a mechanism to allow undocumented, taxpaying and otherwise admissible workers in the U.S. to earn a legal status.

• Define clear requirements and obligations for eligible and qualified participants.

• Conversion to lawful status should be based upon employability, although not necessarily a particular employer.



D. Workable Immigration Enforcement System

• Enforcement of immigration laws is critical for economic, national security and for successful comprehensive immigration reform.

• Pairing enforcement with an updated legal immigration system to reduce undocumented immigration will result in adequate screening of the workforce, more control over undocumented workforce, and a shift in focus to the very small percentage of bad actors who seek to abuse the system.

• Enforcement reform should clearly define requirements and obligations for all parties.

• New enforcement regimes must not penalize employers for their past inability to comply with a broken system.


E. Funding for Immigration programs

• Dedicate resources to fund continuing program initiatives.

• Provide start-up funding for structuring and implementing new program.



MEMBERSHIP LIST P


EWIC Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (as of 05/10/2006)



American Health Care Association
American Hotel & Lodging Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Meat Institute
American Nursery & Landscape Association
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
American Staffing Association
American Subcontractors Association, Inc.
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors
Building Service Contractors Association International
California Landscape Contractors Association
Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Radisson
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide and TGI Friday's
Farm Equipment Wholesalers Association
Federation of Employers & Workers of America
First Data
Harborside Healthcare Corporation
Ingersoll-Rand
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
International Franchise Association
Marriott International, Inc.
Nath Companies
National Association for Home Care
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
National Club Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National School Transportation Association
National Tooling & Machining Association
National Wooden Pallet and Container Association
Outdoor Amusement Business Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association
Professional Landcare Network
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Society of American Florists
The Brickman Group, Ltd.
Travel Business Roundtable
Tree Care Industry Association
Truckload Carriers Association
Tyson Foods, Inc.
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
US Chamber of Commerce

Check out Letters from our Members on Comprehensive Reform