A 'guest worker' plan isn't a solution

[papau]

I rather like the idea of first having US Business employ low-skilled and jobless US citizens before bring in millions more low skilled workers via guest worker program.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20060502/cm_csm/eguestworker;_ylt=AsybEdkVfURfl1FnR.Z0r9534T0D;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--

A 'guest worker' plan isn't a solution The Monitor's View
Tue May 2, 4:00 AM ET

President Bush believes the US can curb illegal immigration by inviting in legal "guest workers." But the US has been down this back road before, and studied it several times. One commission's finding: The idea seems "attractive" but it's really "seductive." <snip>

A later commission, headed by the late Democratic congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas, agreed. Her group, which studied immigration for six years, rejected large-scale, low-skill guest-worker programs, an idea now being considered by the Senate. Her panel found such programs depress wages, adversely affect Americans (including new legal residents), can lead to worker abuse, and present large social costs.<snip>

But history shows that even a generous temporary-worker plan doesn't curb illegal immigration, and isn't temporary. Under the "Bracero" program of 1942-1964, the US allowed in 4.6 million Mexicans to work in agriculture, initially to replace farm hands gone off to support the war effort. Many of the guest workers stayed. During the same period, there were more than 5 million Mexican illegal-alien apprehensions.

Business today also points to certain labor shortages. But the US already offers select visas for temporary agricultural and other seasonal workers, tourists, and also highly skilled employees. It's overkill to add a large, new general category of workers - especially when one considers that there's already low- and unskilled labor to be had in the US. Joblessness remains high for certain groups, such as high school dropouts, African-Americans, and white teenagers. Why aren't employers hiring them first? Importing temporary workers simply for their willingness to accept low wages, while companies avoid paying higher wages to jobless Americans, is hardly a wise immigration policy.<snip>

[Warpy]

1. EXPLOITATION is the problem

and illegals wouldn't be driving wages down if the wage floor weren't so laughably low.

The minimum wage needs to be raised. Labor laws need to be enforced. Employers found to pay substandard wages to illegals need to be fined and if they continue to do so, jailed.

The labor laws are on the books. All we need to do is fund enforcement.

The minimum wage law is on the books. All we need to do is index it to inflation.

[papau]

3. Index to inflation after raising it to 10/hr - a "living wage" minimum

:toast:

[Warpy]

7. You're right

I should have specified that.

[Deep13]

2. It's either make them citizens or send them back.

As it is 11 million illegal aliens are counted for census purposes giving Southern states disproportional representation in the House and the Electoral College, but with no power to vote. It is reminiscent of the 3/5 compromise.

[papau]

4. true :-(

:-(

[rock]

5. We already have a guest worker program

You know, visas.

[On the Road]

6. Look What Guest Worker Programs Have Done for Europe

Alienated ethnic groups with no prospect of citizenship, high umemployment, labor tensions.

The status quo in the US now is better than that. Bill Richardson's plan to allow illegals to get "to the back of the line" is better than either amnesty or guest workers.