Obama Townhall: Comprehensive Immigration Reform..

[vaberella]

What are your thoughts? I don't think they're that problematic.

Here are some of the proposals Obama put forth that I find interesting and I want to hear your outlook.

1. Allowing students who come from outside of the US to study and extend visa to citizenship opportunities. (Associated with the Dream Act).

2. Illegal immigrants should pay a fine (I think this should be monitored properly because of possible extortion.)for their actions instead of imprisonment.

3. They should follow the process to citizenship as anyone else.

Thoughts?

[Tx4obama]

1. Obama FB Town Hall Live Stream link below

For the folks that are not watching right now and don't have a link...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

[vaberella]

2. Oh I didn't provide it because it was downthread. Thanks for the post. n/t

[MikeW]

3. my thoughts

1 - No ... sorry but there are too many Americans out of work.

2 - Absolutly an there should be other requirements placed on them as well.

3 - Yes

and I'll add 4

there should be a seasonal guest worker program. Limited stay only.

[vaberella]

4. I respect your answers but I have a few questions.

1. If the Americans are not qualified it would not matter if they are out of work. If there is a student who would like to be an American and is qualified and maybe even overqualified I don't see why they should not be allowed the chance to work in the US.

4. We already have a seasonal guest worker program, they're J-1 visas: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/j-1_visas.html

I knew about them because I had a math teacher from Germany who had one to come work at my school for a year.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. Do you REALLY think with the MILLIONS we have that are out of work

that you can find ONE JOB that cant be filled by an American? Really?

[vaberella]

10. I'm not saying that.

However, I don't see why we're pushing a sort of "isolationist" job system as functional. I would agree with a prioritization put on American applicants for sure. But an out right denial is absurd.

[totodeinhere]

8. If Americans are not qualified to do a job, then give them education and job training

so that they will be qualified. But with today's massive unemployment, I doubt if there are very many openings that do not have qualified American applicants. Put all of our unemployed to work first before you open it to foreigners. And also stop outsourcing to foreign countries.

[vaberella]

11. Again...

I find the agenda to put jobs on an "isolationist" system. I have said in a post to the other poster that I do agree with putting American applicants on priority before a foreign applicant, especially if they are qualified.


However, the idea of getting Americans qualified for a position they are not qualified for is unrealistic. Let's say for instance there is someone with the aptitude to be a doctor and we have shortage of doctors---becoming a skilled doctor takes years of training and the position needs to be filled now. In the immediate and/or short run, it's unrealistic to assume a job will be waiting in line post training. I do agree though that training is fundamental. I think that would most functional in green energy. You get coal/oil rig workers the know how to operate the technical equipment for green energy would be fantastic and we can transition the the work force. But in more specialized fields where the learning investment is greater, it would be better to open up the playing field. Ultimately those foreigners will be Americans and they will be contributing to the economic growth of the nation. I don't see why we have to turn them away.

As for the outsourcing, I wholeheartedly agree. However this is where we have to put more incentive out there for businesses or put in more regulations on start-up companies who hire American workers versus outsourcing to a cheaper per labor nation.

[totodeinhere]

14. In limited cases I would support a program for doctors and other professionals when there is a

shortage of qualified Americans. But let's face it, the vast majority of immigrants are not doctors. Rather they are people who want to compete for the same jobs that many Americas are qualified for.

[bhikkhu]

6. #1 is good, and amnesty is good in principle

the principle being that all people are created equal, and opportunity should be available to all who desire it, regardless of the circumstances of birth.

That would be an extremely progressive notion in any political and economic climate, and I don't mind saying its not even possible in the real world. Realistically, while we have unemployment like we do (which is to say - far beyond the foreseeable future) immigration and citizenship are going to be strictly nationalistic and practical issues.

I'd like to see #1 anyway, and the Dream Act as well, within limits.

[Arkana]

7. Audacious, but it's near impossible to get with this Congress.

[vaberella]

13. Absolutely but it's good to be put out there b/c maybe if we become vocal about it,

it can become a reality.

[Vattel]

9. I don't like 2.

People generally should be fined only for wrongful behavior. Entering the US illegally because that is the only way to effectively meet the economic needs of oneself and one's family is not wrongful--it is what a morally decent person does.

[vaberella]

12. But it's illegal and places a burden on the tax payers of said country.

Because ultimately these people do take from the country they move into. This is not to say they don't give back. They do, but they are here illegally. I'm not sure how I feel about the fine. I'm not too keen on it either because I can see a lot of fraud which is just like convicting a victim, but at the same time I can see that being done. Maybe if the fine is a sort of lay-away or like a loan they pay up...that would be okay. But I would want the fine to be very low cost---with a low interest rate if that is placed on it.

[Vattel]

15. We seem not to be too far apart on this.

Again, I think fines should usually be reserved for illegal behavior that is wrongful. So I am against fines. As for taxes, even undocumented workers pay sales taxes, and many pay SS tax and never receive SS benefits. I do think that those who avoid taxes by working under the table can justifiably be forced to pay the taxes they have avoided.