LatinaLista
In areas across the country, a lot of people are looking forward to the month of March. Not because it heralds the arrival of Spring (March 20, 2010) but because they’ve been told that is when Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) will be introduced in Congress.
The issue is mobilizing not just Latinos but like-minded sympathizers from the business arena, different religious ministries, labor unions, the American Jewish Committee, farmers, student groups, neighborhood organizations…and the list keeps growing.
Marches, rallies and conferences have been held or being planned in preparation for what will come or is hoped will come. Every day, my inbox is filled with an announcement of another event meant to push Congress to address immigration reform:
Past call-to-action marches mobilized people to take a stand on immigration reform.
Texas Convention on Immigration Reform: The Texas Convention will be a historic moment when hundreds of Texas immigrant families, civil rights advocates, students, business representatives, unions, and local and federal elected officials will come together in the Capital of the State (Austin) to recognized the contributions of immigrants to the well-being and greatness of the state of Texas and the nation.
All participants and represented sectors at the convention will make an unequivocal call to reform our obsolete immigration system and to establish a comprehensive policy that: 1) will bring out of the shadows millions of immigrant workers; 2) integrates efficiently immigrant families to the economic, social, cultural and political fabric of our society; 3) develops and implements accountable, humane and responsible border and interior enforcement policies; 4) provides long-term solutions for immigration flows based on the needs of our economy, the dignity and rights of immigrant workers and the realities of the global migration process.
NY Road Trip for Our Future: Immigration Reform Now: We are a group of students, volunteers, faith leaders, organizers, mothers, brothers and immigrants united to push for immigration reform in 2010.
We know that if we want reform this year we must take our demands directly to our Members of Congress- so we are going on the road during Feb 15-19 Congressional Recess to tell them we want comprehensive immigration reform NOW!
“Scores march in cold from Jersey City to Elizabeth to underline interfaith call for immigration reforms“: A group of about 60 people gathered at Liberty State Park yesterday morning (February 17, 2010) in front of the footbridge to Ellis Island to rally for immigration reform.
Part of a daylong event billed as “Ellis Island is Closed,” a press conference and interfaith prayer service were held before most participants – immigrant rights activists and people affected by immigration policy and detention practices – began a 10-mile trek from Jersey City to the Elizabeth Detention Center.
1,500-Mile March to Washington: The trio has embarked on a four-month, 1,500-mile campaign, walking from Miami to Washington, D.C., to advocate for immigration reform legislation that would give them a path to citizenship.
There is no denying there exists unrest, impatience and expectations for CIR to be addressed in Congress next month. As it becomes clearer to other sectors of our economy just how much U.S. society is dependent on immigrant labor, undocumented or otherwise, there will be an even bigger push that something be done — and it just may come from the average voter who doesn’t really know anything about the need for CIR now but will feel the impact of the current immigration policies soon enough when it comes to food prices at the grocery store, dairy products, home services, etc.
If anyone thinks that these latest spurts of action across the country are merely isolated events with no real teeth, then they haven’t heard what’s coming March 21.
On March 21, 2010, early projections predict that 100,000 people, from all over the United States, will descend on Washington, DC to march for immigration reform.
Lead by The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign, the march has the potential to rival any of the major city marches held in 2006 across the country.
The amount of people who show up will be determined by two things: 1. If Sen. Charles Schumer introduces his bill in the Senate and 2. How strong the GOP pushes back against the bill.
If Sen. Schumer introduces the bill and the GOP play it smart by exhibiting a political will to work on it, then there’s no reason to assume that the march will be massive or boisterous. No one would want to rock the delicate balance of the issue.
However, if no bill is introduced or the GOP resort to old strategies of blocking any kind of meaningful bipartisanship collaboration on the bill then it’s easy to see how both scenarios will exacerbate people’s patience and trust to the point that a trip to Washington will be seen as a necessity to move the issue forward.
When that happens, every politician will have a hard time then ignoring the issue, especially if the latest group to join the fight for immigration reform, the Raging Grannies, decide to sing their displeasure:
Comment(36)
cookie
You mean to tell me that these same people are so ignorant after inciting the ire of the rest of America with the first two marches that they are going to attempt it again?
CIR will not be brought up until at least after the November elections. Right now congress is still working on Healthcare Reform, the economy, and job creation.
Our congressmen know that passing any kind of CIR that includes amnesty for illegal aliens would be political suicide for them. Might as well give up your fantasy as it ain’t gonna happen. Why any loyal American would want that anyway is beyond me.
Alonzo
This is a big mistake, but advocates have never been known for their political savvy. One only has to look to those who would boycott the census to gauge their lack of common sense. Every other march not only failed to gain sympathy for illegal aliens, but served to generate animosity towards them. The sight of illegal foreign nationals marching in the streets was seen as an expression of open contempt towards our sovereign right to control entry. This one will do the same, only it will be worse, as it’s being done in our nation’s capital.
Millions of unemployed citizens will be watching this on TV. The national mood is somber and even hostile towards illegal aliens who, even though it may not be so, will be seen as competitors to citizen job seekers who will no doubt be provoked to address this open contempt for our laws to their congressmen and senators. This is no doubt the dumbest antic yet done by advocates who are clueless to the repercussions of their actions.
The timing, place and action are a recipe for disaster for your movement.
GrayRiv
I disagree. The immigration issue has worked almost exclusively FOR Democrats over the last several years. Most Americans want immigrants in the country to be legal, in the system, on the tax rolls and don’t really think we’ll deport tens of millions of people.
Unfortunately, the Democrats themselves tend to believe people like you. If they just moved forward, not only would it not be suicide, it would be a political home run (not to mention the right, good, just, and smart thing to do for America’s economy and security).
Leonard Rios
I am a Native American Indian and proud of it. I am for Immigration reform and giving everyone who is productive a chance. With respect to those against reform, I feel sorry for you.
Clearly you have forgotten how your fore fathers came to this country and were greeted by the Native American Indians. Who were later robbed of their land, their rights, their language, their heritage and their dignity by those same individuals with like attitudes such as yours.
Clearly you have nothing against what benefits only you, it’s just that you haven’t learned how to share the benefits your kind so willing took from others. I am certain you will try to justify your existence here as honorable, but the true Native Americans know otherwise.
I believe our neighbors to the South are deserving of the right to life as were the foreigners who graced our shores from abroad in your beginning.
Mary
Just because the issue of immigration reform doesn’t square with you, don’t assume everyone else feels the same way about it. In fact, poll after poll (at least those not conducted by FAIR, Numbers USA and the Center for Immigration Studies) show a majority of people support reform. Very few, even in my red state of Texas, favor deportation.
And another assumption I want to address, just because a lot of the faces you will see at the march are brown, don’t assume they’re undocumented. I’m Hispanic. I will be at the march. I’m a citizen, and I vote. And a lot of my Hispanic, US-born friends will be there, too.
irma
Leonard, like you I am also a Native American Indian . Like most Mexican Americans however, I am not 100% Native American. I suspect however that my DNA is at least 50% American Indian if not more.
I wish I knew what type of Indian I am – most Mexicans do not, but it doesnt matter
we identify and empathize with the American Indian.
Like you , I support immigration reform,
My Indian ancestors, like yours, welcomed the European invaders only to robbed, slaughtered and raped. The Mexican people today arose from that mass rape.
Immigration reform is coming, whether those of European origin want it or not.
cookie
Leonard, here are a few more points for you to chew on.
When the first settlers came here, this was undeveloped wilderness–not even a nation. There was no government, no immigration laws, no welfare benefits, schools, hospitals, infrastructure, Section 8 housing, food stamps, free medical care and deliveries, WIC. Give me a break! The so-called “indigenous” were all busy warring with each other over hunting grounds and resources–murdering, torturing, and taking captives as slaves. So it isn’t only “white Europeans” that had its black marks in history in this country. Now that the work of nation building has been done, and all of these perks exist, NOW we have those coming from South of the border claiming a “right” to be here. Funny how Guatemala was once part of Mexico and yet you don’t see the same interest in Guatemalan real estate!
What rights under the law TODAY do Native Americans in this nation not have that the rest of the population does? They are legal citizens of the U.S. as well as retaining control over their tribal lands. Maybe the Mexican government should do a better job providing opportunity for their own citizens instead of trying to claim some phony “right” to be here. We all see through this tactic.
Are you really trying to compare the conditions here in the 1600s with that of the 21st century? Nobody is buying it! By your faulty logic, because of past history, this nation in perpetuity has no right at ANY POINT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE to set immigration policy which will benefit it and its citizens!
Here’s a newsflash for you, there isn’t one nation on the face of this earth which exists now as it did 1,000, 500, or even 100 years ago! If we are going to go back through history and try to reconstruct nations as they existed hundreds of years ago, there will be massive remodeling taking place all over the globe. So we have to deal with reality, not fantasy. And the reality is that in the 21st century, we are now a developed nation, sovereign with internationally recognized borders, post-industrial, bankrupt, struggling to care for the citizens we have NOW. Wake up!
Texan123
I agree with Alonzo. This is not a good time for illegal workers to demand a legal right to keep jobs or be rewarded with benefits that our country can not afford.
This shows an intentional disregard for unemployed American citizens who are struggling to feed their families.
Instead of rewarding those who steal jobs from citizens, we need to take the jobs back. Employed citizens will pay taxes, rebuild the economy, and will not send so much money out of this country.
I think you will see a backlash like no other in the history of this country. So bring it on !
SDOG
While i support some kind of immigration reform, I hope the organizers of these marches are VERY careful in how they go about their business.
The last major go round of protests many protesters were flying Mexican flags and other central American flags, not too smart in my opinion. If you want to be a citizen, i support it, but to the AVERAGE US redneck citizen, symbols mean ALOT, their ability to comprehend bills and legislature is severely limited, and what they see on their TV and what wackos like Glenn Beck say about it tells them what to think, regardless of what the foreign flags are supposed to symbolize. Protesting for your right to gain citizenship while displaying the flag of ANOTHER COUNTRY will further incense the minutemen, Republicans and White Nationalists. I just pray that these demonstrations have no violence against the protesters, or against the police present at them.
Bryan J.
The comments thread, here, is a microcosm of the greater American scale. The anti-immigrant force is more vocal, more vitriolic, and is growing in force. A march of what you speak about, although not guaranteed to have a positive impact upon the chances of CIR passing, is necessary to drown out the others’ insistent, strident clamoring.
Case in Point: the just-proposed Republican bill to revoke birthright citizenship. For greater details, go here:
http://bryanjohnsonblog.com/
Evelyn
Mr Rios, many Native American Indians feel the same way we do, I am also raised as Native American Indian. My father was of European ancestry and I am also proud of both my heritages.
“The Reclamation of an Indigenous Continent”
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE ANYWHERE ON THIS CONTINENT
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, the body count continues to pile updaily. Meanwhile, the Minutemen patrol the U.S.-Mexico border and shameless politicians find it easy to denounce illegal immigration as the cause of all the nation’s problems – including linking it with”the war on terror.”Amidst all the clatter, the only views not being heard are the ones that matter most. Thus here, we bring you a truly historic column, featuring the views of those that have come before us to these lands: American Indians:
Inmigrante TV
It is time Hispanics unite and force the issue with their voting power. We provide extensive coverage 24/7 in our TV network and online with our digital platform. We will be in Washington with a team of reporters giving ample coverage to this historic event.
Karen
Re: “the just-proposed Republican bill to revoke birthright citizenship.”
You mean the 14th Amendment. And no, we are not going to change the constitution. You can forget that.
Karen
I really don’t think this is the best tike to push for immigration reform. Right before an election when the Democrats are running behind in some of the swing states. Yeah, this is a good time.
NOT.
irma
Cookie,
If you think it was okay for the Europeans to build a nation ie. the USA.
Why do you object to another group
wanting to build another nation?
History is replete of nations building by
simply taking over.
Its all about power isnt it?
Why should the 22nd century be like the 21st?
yes, the times will be changing…..
Candy
GrayRiv…..”in the system, on the tax rolls and don’t really think we’ll deport tens of millions of people.”
That’s interesting, because, as it was pointed out in this blog somewhere, undocumented immigrants would be among the working poor, taking from the government in the form of tax credits reserved for poverty level citizens. As to security, no one believes that criminal undocumented immigrants will have any incentive to come forward and present themselves for deportation. We’ll still get Mexican nationals fleeing north from the authorities, regardless of any amnesty. As to the economy, there there are millions of people in other countries awaiting legal opportunities to enter. These are the people who should be rewarded, not those who ignore our rules. As to their challenge that we can’t deport millions, we don’t have to, just make it not worthwhile for them to stay. Just as periods of lawlessness are a challenge to the police, periods of illegal immigration are a challenge to our immigration authorities. Our police don’t throw in the towel, so why should our ICE and Border Patrol? The only way we can maintain our resolve to our borders is by enforcing our laws.
dan
Cookie is a real phoney. What crap about infrastructure etc etc. Most Europeans, went to other lands, stole their wealth and built nations. All under the guise of the current inhabitants being “uncivilized”. I am not Native American but of European decent but know when someone spills out their “HIS STORY”. By trying to state that the Native Americans probably would not have created the infrastructure as it is today is real bull – look around the world – yes it changed and many people adapted so. The real crux is that when the land was invaded by arriving as guests, no one observed the rights of the natives. So you really have a nerve to say there is a real reason you or me under your terms has any legal right to be here. The bottom line is that you cannot change what happened in history but you can learn from it. Next time you buy a cheeseburger and pay $10 for it, then tell me that your ideas of not allowing these people ( many who do nothing but work and go to church )was a sensible idea. The majority of Americans who know the facts look for immigration reform including a fair way for immigrants. It is ashame that so few bloggers write so many negative articles in the press – as if they represent the majority when an estimated 57m of the 300m people here actually vote. Hint to all of you that want to express yourselves – go register to vote and take the country back from these far right wing crooks.
Texan123
Irma, if you think illegal immigrants are so good at nation building, why are they leaving Mexico and Latin America? Why is there no outcry when Mexican citizens have no hope for a better life for their families in Mexico?
Mexico is rich with resources and resorts for the extremly wealthy. Why doesn’t the Mexican government provide for her children? Will Latino people always depend on the U.S.? Most Latinos are VERY PROUD of their heritage and culture, while at the same time running away to a foreign land to take from others. Mexico should be ashamed.
cookie
Dan, so you think that because the Europeans came over here long ago that we alive TODAY should be accountable for that and therefore that doesn’t give us the right as a country TODAY to have immigration laws and to enforce them? My ancestors didn’t even come over here at the time there were conflicts with the native indiand. They came much, much later and under U.S. law at the time.
Yes, I have a legal right to be here as I was born here and my ancestors played no role in that part of history.
Bryan J.
Good points, Dan.
Carlos
SDOG said: “The last major go round of protests many protesters were flying Mexican flags and other central American flags, not too smart in my opinion. If you want to be a citizen, i support it, but to the AVERAGE US redneck citizen, symbols mean ALOT, their ability to comprehend bills and legislature is severely limited, and what they see on their TV and what wackos like Glenn Beck say about it tells them what to think, regardless of what the foreign flags are supposed to symbolize.”
I like this. It would appear that SDOG has an elitist point of view, believing that the average American is just white trash. Such arrogance! I wonder if he’ll be a spokesman elected to win over the opposition. He leaves us with little wonder as to why there’s so much opposition to CIR.
And the flags, just what do they mean, SDOG? What does it mean when undocumented immigrants wave the flags of their homeland in preference to the American flag? Could it be in defiance to the sovereignty of the nation they now live in? How does this win over the natives? You can bet that it isn’t the average undocumented that is doing it, but the La Raza’s and MALDEFS who are making a statement, political activists who question the authority of the citizens to govern this country. And you’re a part of it.
maryelizabeth
I am marching, and this is my first time. It is not the same people marching this time. There are many American’s that are joining in Immigration Reform.
Alonzo
“The majority of Americans who know the facts look for immigration reform including a fair way for immigrants.”
We already have a fair way for immigrants, and millions use it every year. The U.S. has nothing to apologize for when it comes to its generosity to foreign nationals, even Latinos, who make up a good portion of the visas issued every year. Once citizens are made aware of this, they recognize illegal immigration is plain old fashioned gate crashing. Fairness doesn’t mean always getting one’s way.
Marisa Treviño
Texas123, Nowadays, Mexican citizens are leaving Mexico because of the escalating violence. The Mexican government should take care of its citizens better but their style of government and level of corruption has been going on for so long that it’s not something that can be changed overnight, unfortunately. The US has always been the most successful economy in this hemisphere and it’s no wonder that people are still attracted to come here by any means possible. However, before you say Mexico should be ashamed you should read our history and see how the United States took the Southwest region from Mexico. To say it wasn’t a fair trade or that the US got the better deal, if there was a deal, is an understatement.
SDOG
Carlos, 1.) i never said “white trash” you did.
2.) The average Fox news viewer is NOT highly educated, if they were, far more substance on the channel would be demanded.
3.)The GB crowd hangs on EVERY WORD he says as it were gospel, he tells them what to think and what to believe. Who better to tell me what to think that an uneducated ex-alcoholic Mormon!Its no wonder he has the highest ratings on the channel, second only to Bill O.Did you see him at CPAC spouting the usual nonsense? on his chalkboard, way to go high school graduate!
4.)I believe the foreign flags display are to show the diversity of the undocumented crowd, ie. not all from Mexico
Roland
Marisa, you point to the taking of the Southwest away from Mexico, and I agree that it was an injustice, but I wonder–just asking–if Mexico had held on to that territory and instituted the same type of government that exists in the rest of Mexico, would not the Southwest also be a place from which Mexicans were seeking to flee? Of course this is a counterfactual that is impossible to prove, but it seems that Mexico has failed to create a state that serves its citizens. Now we are told here in the U.S. that we have an obligation to make it up to them.
I was largely oblivious to the issue of illegal immigration until I saw the images of foreigners marching in our streets, waving foreign flags and demanding special treatment. The marchers had better be careful that they don’t trigger a backlash.
Texan123
Marisa,
Does the injustice of the past excuse the injustice of the present? Mexico gave permission for Texas settlers to come. Once the ranches and homesteads were established a new Mexican leader demanded the settlers leave. History is history.
Mexico is still trying to claim its rights to steal from others. If it is indeed the Latino immigrants that made the U.S. great, why can’t they do that in Mexico? Why don’t patriots stay and fight corruption.
Our own government is becoming corrupt. Do you really blame our citizens when Congress pushes to give illegal foreign workers jobs that unemployed U.S. citizens need to feed their families? This government is still importing high tech workers to replace those laid off at major computer companies.
Most U.S citizens are not the fat cat consumers you make them out to be. We are legal citizens who struggle every day to pay taxes, pay our bills, and teach our kids right from wrong.
How can we teach our kids that it is wrong to lie, cheat, and steal for financial gain if it is rewarded by our government? Illegal immigrants feel like they deserve better treatment than legal immigrants, why?
Angel
“However, before you say Mexico should be ashamed you should read our history and see how the United States took the Southwest region from Mexico. To say it wasn’t a fair trade or that the US got the better deal, if there was a deal, is an understatement.”
Ask Hispanics who live in Texas if they wish that they were under the Mexican government’s rule. It’s only when people are justifying people crossing into this country illegally that Mexicans argue about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. LOL!
It’s hardly productive for the Mexican people, their government or supporters of undocumented immigrants to keep bringing this up as an excuse for their continued failure over the past 150 years. The Mexican government hides its shame by continually pointing to the U.S. as the culprit in the poor plight of Mexicans, and people like Marisa are unwittingly complicit in this effort.
Marisa Treviño
Angel, history is history. Why is the assumption being made that Mexicans hated living under Mexican rule back when they lost the Southwest region to the U.S? How does anyone know if keeping this section of their country would have changed their political history? The bottom line is nobody knows. The only thing I’m guilty of being complicit in is advocating a humane and compassionate perspective in understanding the reasons why the undocumented are here and what their role has been in this economy.
cookie
Marisa, how do we know that if the Mexican government had retained parts of the southwest that is now the U.S. things would be different now? I can tell you how we know it wouldn’t be. Land is land, it is those governing that land that either make it successful or not and the Mexican government has been a failure for its people on the land that is called Mexico today. So no, even if they had kept that land it would be just like the land that belongs to Mexico now run by a corrupt government.
Angel
“How does anyone know if keeping this section of their country would have changed their political history?”
We don’t but we do know for certain that those living under the government established by Founding Fathers are doing far better than that formed in Mexico You’re assuming that it is possible but I say that it is unlikely, given what we know today.
I still fail to see how dredging up old Quixotic grudges will do anything for the undocumented cause. Do you really think that most Americans will feel inclined to cede the territory of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo back to Mexico in a sudden fit of remorse? No, it is a useless distraction associated with the radical shrill Aztlanders who preach hate against Anglos.
dan
Cookie – you just don’t get it do you. You are so ignorant – you talk about your ancestors not being involved in uprooting the indigenous people of the Americas – what kind of fool do you take us for. Your ancestors – we do not refer to your grand folks but your kind which is much like mine European.
You have as little right to demand as the immigrants of today – why – your laws as you say were made by people who took this land and adopted their own laws. Its like saying that Mexico take over the US and then put in their laws. Just because you came over later, you have all the right to dictate. Compassion is needed here – much the same for the Irish immigrants who came to avoid famine and persecution a few hundred years ago (not that long.. on your other point – 4 to 5 generations in my family anyhow).
Everybody knows that the Native Indians were robbed so before you get on your backward horse, consider that since your ancestors broke their laws and decided to stay, you or your ancestors should not be the ones to judge who stays and who does not.
Immigration reform is needed in this country, where you deal consciously for those already here and set a system where many will travel to and fro. I am sure that many of the seasonal workers who remain, would go back to Mexico and other South of the border countries if they could come back and forth to the crop work.
You would not have that hugh overstay issue – relates to the so called demand on our taxes ( as far as I see the people who complain are normally the same people getting welfare). Everyone knows that we need them. Just look at the town that first kicked them out then begged to have them back when it all went belly up.
America wake up and forget these bogus claims – Immigration reform is needed for the good of this country and that includes helping those stuck in limbo to stay.
cookie
Dan, here are some words of wisdom for YOU since you are the one “not getting it.”
Look, just because YOU are so full of white guilt that you don’t believe that this nation has a right to exist as a sovereign one, that doesn’t mean that the majority of Americans of any race/ethnicity feel that way!
There are already visa programs with unlimited caps for those who do agricultural work. It’s just that the farmers don’t want to use them as they can exploit the illegals. And those who come to work the fields move on to greener pastures when they get a chance also, taking better jobs that Americans of ALL races/ethnicities DO WANT.
You are the one who is cluelessly ignorant. “Our kind??” What the hell is “our kind??” Sounds racist to me! No, Dan, my ancestors came here LEGALLY in accordance to the laws which were in place at the time. Other legal immigrants come here today in accordance with the laws in place today. Every modern nation today has immigration laws. This is not the 1100s, the 1500s, or the 1800s. Today this nation is very diverse and its immigration policies made for the benefit of American citizens of ALL RACES. Get yourself out of the mid-18th century when your ancestors came. Today Latinos comprise a large percentage of LEGAL immigrats, second only to the Chinese. Wake up!
This nation has serious problems; we are just about bankrupt and there is no more money! We are no longer a “wealthy nation!” We are trying to educate the massive population we already have in order to compete in a hypercompetitive global economy. There is NO BENEFIT to this nation in importing poverty. We are no longer a developing nation where all that was needed were strong backs and manual laborers. This has nothing to do with RACE, and everything to do with admitting skilled and educated immigrants who will contribute to the tax base, assimilate more easily, and not be a net drain on social services. Grab a clue!
Honestly, whites you really raise my blood pressure! You are the one who is making this a race issue, even to the point of stating to me by saying, “your kind.” Geez! Does it get any more racist than THAT! Imagine referring to a black person or a Latino by saying, “YOUR kind!” LOL!
Truth
US economy largely unaffected by illegal immigration
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.03.2009
WASHINGTON — A study released Wednesday concludes that illegal-immigrant workers do not drain jobs or tax dollars and have a neutral impact on the U.S. economy.
Because illegal immigrants occupy a small share of the work force — about 5 percent — and work low-skilled jobs at lower wages than other workers, their overall influence on the economy is trivial, according to the report, sponsored by the Migration Policy Institute, a pro-immigration think tank in Washington.
“The fate of the U.S. economy does not rest on what we do on illegal immigration,” said Gordon H. Hanson, author of the report and economics professor at the University of California-San Diego.
Illegal immigrants contribute a tiny 0.03 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, with that gain going to employers who save money on cheap labor, the report says, while their cost to the economy is 0.10 percent of GDP, which mainly comes from public education and publicly funded emergency health care.
The net impact at minus 0.07 percent of GDP means that illegal immigrants have an essentially neutral effect on the economy, Hanson said.
The report does not factor in the spending or entrepreneurship that illegal immigrants contribute to the economy, said Marc Rosenblum, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute.
Where illegal immigrants do have a substantial impact, Hanson added, is in specific labor-intensive and low-skilled industries such as agriculture, construction, hospitality and cleaning services, where the share of native-born workers has dropped precipitously.
Because the U.S. has dramatically raised the education level of its adult population in the last 50 years — going from about 50 percent of all working-age adults without a high school diploma in 1960 to just 8 percent today — the native-born, low-skilled work force has shrunk, while employers continue to require low-skilled workers.
This leaves room for illegal immigrants to take such jobs at a low cost, the report says.
Illegal immigrants now account for 20 percent of working-age adults in the U.S. who don’t have a high school degree.
While the influx of illegal immigrants is one of the factors keeping low-skilled wages stagnant, the biggest losers in the current system are legal low-wage workers, both native and foreign born, who compete with the illegal immigrants, Rosenblum said.
Meanwhile, employers reap higher profits because of lower labor costs and more productive businesses.
The solution to this imbalance, proposed by the Migration Policy Institute, is to provide more visas and legal channels for unskilled workers to enter the U.S.
Today, low-skilled workers must have a green card — effectively requiring them to have close family members in the U.S. — or obtain a temporary work visa.
“We really need to approach migration control comprehensively by both strengthening enforcements and creating legalization mechanisms that will control the unauthorized population and improve the economic outputs that we get from immigration,” Rosenblum said.
Carlos
SDOG…..Carlos, 1.) i never said “white trash” you did.
SDOG….”but to the AVERAGE US redneck citizen, symbols mean ALOT, their ability to comprehend bills and legislature is severely limited,”
I fail to see the distinction, and I doubt most “American US redneck citizens” would see it either.
Characterizing citizens this way is hardly a way to win them over, and your cause will fail without their cooperation.
irma
“And those who come to work the fields move on to greener pastures when they get a chance also, taking better jobs that Americans of ALL races/ethnicities DO WANT.”
Really? Do you work in a job with no health insurance, benefits and for LESS than the minimum wage? Would you cook , clean , scrub floors or toilets, work 60 + hours a week just to stay alive and send your children to school?
Yes, jobs like these ARE greener pastures if there NO jobs at all in your
native country. Get real Cookie, you
would NEVER work at job like that.
You would head straight to the unemployment office and collect
benefits rather than WORK. It really irks me to listen to spoiled Americans
like you judge other people’s need to survive.
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