Unions Unite For Immigration Reform
Thursday April 16, 2009
America's two largest labor federations have united to support a push for comprehensive immigration reform legislation. AFL-CIO and Change to Win announced a plan this week to overhaul the broken immigration system, which supports a path to legalization for the 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. They say that immigration reform is necessary for the country's economic recovery and to move America forward. From the Change to Win press release:
“Today’s unity statement is a recognition of the dire need to have immigration laws that work and work for all workers,” said President Rodriguez [United Farm Workers]. “Too many workers – both U.S. and immigrant are exploited by the current system and that needs to change. The United Farm Workers, Change to Win and the AFL-CIO came together because we can no longer be delayed.”
"Our nation's broken immigration system isn't working for anybody --not immigrant workers who are routinely exploited by companies and not U.S. born workers whose living standards are being undermined by the creation of a new "underclass." As a part of broad-based economic recovery, we need a comprehensive solution -- and soon. The development of a unified labor position, a position centered on workers' rights, puts us on the path to a legislative solution," said President Sweeney. “The labor movement will speak in one voice to address this pressing issue with Congress and the White House to create a system that protects all workers -- those who work in our shadow economy and those who have full rights.”
The proposal calls for:
- an independent commission to assess and the need for foreign workers based on labor market shortages
- a worker verification program
- support for border security
- a path to legalization for today's 12 million undocumented immigrants
- improving guest worker programs
This is exactly the type of support that will help President Obama when he publicly addresses the topic of immigration reform next month.
Comments
Round all the illegal immigrants ups & put them on buses back to Mexico. Then build a border fence 20 feet high that is electrified. Mark an area of 100 yards (on the American side of the fence) as a national security zone. Anyone spotted in this zone will be shot on sight. Hire 10 times the amount of border security agents to patrol the border and arm them to the teeth. Problem solved. The fence will be a good infrastructure project that will create jobs and help the economy. Buying more weapons will help the economy, as will hiring more border patrol agents. I voted for Obama but he is wrong on the illegal immigrant issue and abortion. The GOP need to regain their sanity and put forth a smart intelligent 21st century candidate for 2012. They also need to embrace honesty & integrity.
I’m delighted that immigrants are given the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else, but there is something very wrong about what happens soon after. They are allowed to vote. Recently, proposition 8, in California, was passed by 52% of voters. I don’t know how many of the voters were originally from other countries, but it is a bit hypocritical that a native born Mexican, or any other immigrant, is allowed to vote away my liberties, like my right to marry the person of my choice, and has more for himself. I was born and raised here!
This problem isn’t the fault of the immigrant, but they do play their part in the problem. There should be a line drawn about what people are voting on, and marriage is something that nobody should be voting on!
Here we are in a downturned economy with people needing jobs, but it’s okay for Ms Napolitano to turn them loose and give them work permits. They should have been deported and the employer should have been fined. But of course we didn’t really expect anything else from someone who counts returning service people and people who own guns or are against abortion as terrorists did we.
Wow, our elected officials seem to have no concept of the law. I guess term illegal only applies where they want it. Worksite enforcements, she said, should focus “on employers who intentionally and knowingly exploit the illegal labor market.” Napolitano promised lawmakers that she would “get to the bottom” of what happened in Bellingham. The only thing to get to the bottom of is why any one of our government officials will not stand behind the law is not on a bus back to Mexico with the rest of the illegal immigrants. I guess this problem will exists until our govenrment actually gets a backbone and my tax dollars will feed, educate, and pay healthcare for people that don’t deserve it. Shame on you Janet Napolitano.
OMG, I can’t believe that we should feel sorry for any illegal immigrant. They are breaking the law. If they respect the U.S. than why don’t they respect the laws that govern it?? Send them all back!!! I’m so sick of hearing about the families that are left behind. What did you would happen if you were caught??
The plan does have some down sides. At the same time it does make it easier for the government to track who the illegal aliens are. I think that’s what most important to them. They need to have a sense of control to know who the heck is residing in the U.S. In some odd way it also makes the American people a little bit safer. At least these people are not going to be compelled to commit crimes due to the fact that they cannot work legally.
Harlem Guzman.
To be effective, fair and realistic Comprehensive Immigration Reform must allow more migration by more people. The Unions proposal does not do that. They want to legalize the 12 million undocumented people currently in the country and kick the issue of the level of future immigration down the road by appointing a commission. At Radical Immigration we believe that immigration reform must recognize responsible people’s right to chose where they live.
Think about this if immigration caused economic hardship then within the USA area that are growing would be poorer than area that are not growing. But the opposite is true. Gary, Indiana is poor and shrinking and Phoenix is much better off and growing. More immigration seems to be better.
I really feel sorry for people like Andy Big Bone, maybe if his bones were not so big it would help to compensat for the loss of brain power he’s missing.
Say whatever you want. Display how violent you are and how ignorant you can be. Keep dreaming that you can just deport 12 million people who most of them have American citizen children. To do that you have to track them first, but how are you going to do that? They don’t have any documents!!!! Good luck with that cause one thing is sure, the immigration reform is gonna go through whether you like it or not.
And for FlexSF complaining about Prop8, only American citizens can vote! So blame your own people for not passing your bill. Illegal immigrants and green card holders have nothing to do with that.
I disagree with the comments that some of the people have posted. Maybe we should have them shoot you outside of your home…how do you like that..lol Shooting the people would not solve anything and niether will that fence your talking about.