What does everyone think of the new immigration bill?

[bluestateguy]

I have some concerns that this bill will institutionalize a large underclass of invisible workers who will be hired at the expense of American workers, thus drives wages and benefits downward.

We need to enforce the laws that are on the books, particularly with regard to employers who exploit illegal immigrant labor.

I'm inclined to oppose this bill, but I am keeping an open mind.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. It's also adding an untested demographic to the electorate.

Who will they vote for as elected officials as a voting block?

[bluestateguy]

2. Kick

I guess people don't like to wonk about policy here

[bluestateguy]

3. kick

:kick:

This should be discussed.

[Kansas Wyatt]

4. Corporate America owns the Democrats too.

Our Corporate Government is trying to completely destroy the American Worker, and the Democrats are cheering it on.

[Critters2]

5. I'm opposed. This will hurt everyone, but unskilled workers the most

I oppose globalization in all of its many manifestations.

[gravity]

7. Immigrants will benefit

[Critters2]

9. Not so sure. I foresee some backlash. Not advocating, just

wouldn't be surprised.

[gravity]

10. Possibly, but are there any better solutions?

I don't think we will come up with a solution that will make everyone happy. I'm torn between both sides of the debate

[Critters2]

12. Fine the employers. Force them to pay a living wage.

Then hiring undocumented workers will become less attractive. Employers must be held accountable!!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. The "road to citizenship" provisions are too difficult & too expensive.

But, it's probably the best that could be hoped for given the fear of the Brown Bogeyman that the bigots have pushed.

[Critters2]

8. How are they too expensive? Or too difficult? nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. It would take 13 years to get citizenship and a "fine" of $5000.

They're milking the poor for money and keeping them in limbo.

[Critters2]

13. Workers who have lost their jobs probably have a sense

of being in limbo, too.

Besides, this bill was written to benefit the corporations. Thus the support of the Chamber of Commerce.

[bluestateguy]

18. And how many of those people will have $5000 just lying around?

How unrealistic is that?

[AlCzervik]

14. i have a question that maybe you or someone can help me out with--please

you know the figure of "11-20 million illegals" how do they arrive at that number, i've always wondered.

[porphyrian]

15. I don't know enough about it yet to decide, but what I heard...

...were a couple of things about the process. Apparently, they'll have to pay some fines if they're already here, possibly have to return to their country of origin "temporarily" (I think this may be to weed out criminals convicted back home), then they can live here until their citizenship goes through, which will take longer for people with less desirable skill sets and shorter for those we want sooner. Also, I believe they said they can join the military and serve to make the process shorter (didn't Carlos Mencia do a joke about that?).

[Marrah_G]

16. What makes anyone think that empoyers who exploit illegals won't just bring in new ones

They aren't going to wake up tommorrow and say "Great, I would love to start paying decent wages and benits to these works I've been treating like shit and I just can't wait to follow all the labor laws since legal workers can complain".

Just making people legal won't do jack shit unless employers are actually made to follow the damn laws. Until THAT happens there will just be a new wave of cheap exploitable labor and those new legal workers will be shit out of luck.

[PsN2Wind]

17. It's the Dems and Repubs

helping corporate America by allowing them to import workers for many of the jobs they can't export.