Senator Introduces Bill Creating Guest Worker Program

[brooklynite]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 — The Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee unveiled draft legislation on Friday that would create a temporary guest worker program that could allow hundreds of thousands of foreigners to fill vacant jobs in the United States for periods of up to six years.

The draft circulated by the lawmaker, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, would also authorize millions of illegal immigrants who arrived in this country before Jan. 4, 2004 to remain here indefinitely, along with their spouses and children, as long as they registered with the Department of Homeland Security, paid back taxes and remained law-abiding and employed, among other conditions.

The proposal would require employers to attest that they had tried to recruit American workers before bringing in additional foreigners from abroad and to pay prevailing wages. The plan would not place a restriction on the number of foreigners who could take part in the guest worker program. Those workers would not have the right to become permanent residents or citizens.

...snip...

The furious response by some constituencies to the draft reflects the difficult position confronting Mr. Specter as he navigates the fault lines within his party and committee, with an eye toward a vote on the Senate floor and a conference with skeptical House Republicans, who have rejected calls to legalize illegal workers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/25/politics/25immig.html

[Dr.Phool]

1. Wonderful!!!

If they don't outsource your job, they can force you to train your cheaper replacement. If you refuse, you don't get your seperation allowance.

[Charlie Brown]

2. this will die a quick death

This bill is bad news for a number of legitimate reasons, like the exploitation and dependence to big business it subjects immigrants to.

Most Republicans, however, will oppose the bill for racist reasons, and in the misguided belief that it sets the stage for amnesty.

Another election year gift from the party of corruption.

[MadMaddie]

3. At what point does the selling out of America...

turning their backs on American citizens....education, national security, jobs, economy, no-bid contracts to Haliburton..almost making it the national company of everything...

At what point do these turn into crimes against America....It seems these guys only care about opening the door to more non-americans.

I know it seems like a reach to label these crimes but....if the repugs are not stopped.....whats going to happen to America?

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. And this solves the problem of unemployed CITIZENS of the USA how???

.
.
.

:shrug:

[napsi]

5. This will be a very unpopular statement and

I'm sure I will get flamed for this BUT....as someone in the construction industry who pays for "labor" services this is a fact:

Stone flat work pays on average $5.25 per square foot here: That means you can make (excluding sand and cement- typically about $.95 per sqaure foot) approx $5250 for 1000 sq ft of flat work. This takes approx 3 men on average about 2 days to complete. Do the math. The money is excellent. I can't find anyone but latinos who are willing to do this work. It is hard work and it does take some skill.

Stack stone work pays as much as $8.75 per sq. ft. The money is out there and waiting to be paid. Our company will hire anybody willing to work hard and with a decent driving record.

These are the facts from my corner of the world.......

[cap]

7. increase the wages even more and add bennies

and you will see Americans taking your job.... oh by the way, I notice that is not a steady wage rate. No benefits. You will make really good money for two days and then what? Unemployment?

Your figures are on a piece meal basis not an annual basis. I am assuming that these figures are pre tax... so roughly $600/day becomes $400/day net. If the work were steady, you'd be offering salary.

Recalculate the wage rate on an annual basis and add in insurance, retirement, and benefits and I think you will understand why there are no takers.

[napsi]

11. You assume wrong..

The work never ends. Some projects take 6 months, some take 2 years. Health Insurance is provided for the employee and his spouse at no charge. 401K. There are no minimum or maximum hrs worked. Some choose to work 7 days a week on occasion.

"Raise wages"? You don't get it. Some of these guys make more money than an MBA makes after 10 years experience.

[msgadget]

6. And I thought my timing was bad... n/t

[LizW]

8. Read states are going to freak out about this

The city where I live is institutionalizing racism against the Mexican immigrants with racial profiling, anti-loitering laws and property upkeep laws that prevent multiple unrelated people from sharing dwellings. It has gotten so bad that there have been four arson fires in apartment complexes where immigrants live since early December. The city created a "Department of Homeland Security" that many feel is intended to harrass the immigrants. The excuse that is always used for the singling out of the immigrants is, "Illegal means illegal. They're BREAKING THE LAW just by being here."

So what happens when they AREN'T illegal anymore? What happens when they have just as much right to be here as anyone else?

I can tell you that the red states are NOT going to like this.

This is a gift from the GOP to Howard Dean.

[LizW]

9. Uh, I meant "red" of course. Sheesh. n/t

[Inland]

10. Will the UAE manage the program? nt

[hopein08]

12. I emailed him about this last week and got this response...

"Reforming our current immigration laws has become increasingly necessary in light of the growing number of illegal immigrants entering the country. On a daily basis, there are a number of press reports highlighting the problem that our borders are largely unprotected. However, we also have a great need for labor in this country, both skilled and unskilled, which adds to the complexity of the situation. We also see a certain apathy and resentment toward immigrants; notwithstanding the fact that this country was built by immigrants and that we need immigrants in order to sustain our economic vitality. At present, there are several bills pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee aimed at correcting various aspects of the problem. As Chairman, I circulated a Chairman's Mark to address the complex issues that we will face as we begin to reform immigration laws. My proposal is a discussion draft intend! ed to move the debate forward with the anticipation that the Senate will address the issue early this year."

He's my senator and I can never decide whether to like him or loathe him. I guess today is a loathe him day. But you'll have to pardon my want to like him...he's really the lesser of two evils in terms of my senatorial representation.

[Shelor]

13. Dubya's cronies will find a way to sneak this through. It's inevitable.