In his State of the Union address, President Bush asked Congress to reform U.S. immigration laws “to reflect our values and benefit our economy.” But what he calls a new guest worker program, which matches “willing foreign workers with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job,” is a scam Latinos know all too well. Welcome to… return to article
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Reader Comments (53)Page 1 of 1 pagesFirst let me say:
“the best way to get an American worker to refuse a job is to offer a wage so miserable only a desperate immigrant would take it”
is patently untrue. It is the combination of physical labor with a low wage that makes Americans decline jobs.And why would the immigrant workers take it? Could it be that this ‘miserable wage’ is twice what they can make in their homeland? That the immigrant worker is much better able to support his family with the alleged ‘miserable wage’? that the immigrant worker is not qualified to take a higher paying job and this is by far the best wage they can get?
Why doesn’t In These Times hire undocumented Mexican field workers as editors at the magazine? Is it racism?
Posted by Nus on Feb 6, 2004 at 6:34 PM If somebody doesn’t want the job then they shouldn’t take it. Pretty simple. It’s called the free market.
Yet again another article from In These Times that just whines about problems and offers no alternative whatsoever. No thoughtful analysis on a different program to replace this one. Personally I like it so I’m not offering anything else.
We don’t reward illegal activity by making them citizens, they get the opportunity to earn more money than they could in their homeland, and jobs are filled that need to be filled.
“Recruiting”? Give me a break, Immigrants want to come here so bad they literally risk their lives to get here.
Posted by Ty on Feb 6, 2004 at 6:53 PM I know for a fact that Bush’s “new” guest worker program isn’t new at all. There is already a guest worker program that is in place, some of you may not know this, but Bush isn’t changing anything for the better. With the current guest worker program (gwp), people had to pay $$ in order to get their jobs, with Bush’s program, they will have to do the same thing! This is an outrage, no one should have to pay money in order to get a job, especially when they’ll be making so little money. Things like this shouldn’t be allowed to happen in America, or anywhere really. What ever happened to “the land of the free and the home of the brave”? While it may be brave to pay for a job, there is no freedom. Another thing, isn’t America also about equality? Smoeone please explain to me how putting people from other countries into these crappy positions is equal. Right now I just don’t see it, i really don’t. Anyone who is in favor of the “new” guest worker program should be ashamed of themselves, and if it is enacted, America should be ashamed of what the have done. This guest worker program is nothing to be proud of, and it should have never have been thought of by anyone who is truly American!
Posted by Julie Perry on Feb 6, 2004 at 7:23 PM The guest worker program sounds like more corporate welfare to me. Paying peanuts for hard work is unfair no matter which side of the border it happens on. Greed is the problem. In Washington DC, Wall Street or Mexico City, trickle down economics is wrong. It doesn’t work and it never will.
Posted by Tom Atkinson on Feb 6, 2004 at 8:11 PM This is a great idea if and only if one is attempting to create a “servant” class to cater to the capricious whims of the “upper class” But Bush is an “ethical” person who would not be doing anything like, would he? Sure he would, in a heart beat. After all is he not the one who stated “I just don’t understand how poor people think.” Decrease workers right and depress wages, that is the Bush policy. He could care less about anything else but support the “invester” class and this move is part and parcel of what they want.
Posted by Jack Dalton on Feb 6, 2004 at 8:24 PM RICH WANT CHEAP LABOR
The rich think American workers are overpaid. But notice that highly-paid professions—such as doctors—have successfully lobbied for protectionism. It is a matter of money and power.
And Americans will take menial jobs if paid enough. They already do.
Posted by Mike on Feb 6, 2004 at 9:17 PM WE DON’T LIVE IN A FREE MARKET!!! That is an awful excuse for exploitation.
Posted by Ash Roughani on Feb 6, 2004 at 11:07 PM Bush wants Hispanics to come work here. But he does not want them to come vote here.
Posted by Pat on Feb 8, 2004 at 12:22 AM I think it is actually another form of tax cut for the corperations. what good be better for em than disposable workers?
Posted by Ken C on Feb 8, 2004 at 12:51 AM Matching foreign workers and employers is a ridiculous process that already exists in the H1 visa application. An employer must demonstrate that a position cannot be filled by a US citizen before he may hire the immigrant. There’s a mandatory advertisement in US publications and the employer must describe the job and its unique aspects that would make it impossible for an American to fill. While employers have been willing to go through this for certain high-end openings I cannot begin to imagine how low-paying jobs offered by penny-pinching corporations can be matched with immigrant workers who are afraid of the INS (or Homeland Security) and who are constantly on the move. Also, many of these jobs are seasonal or short-term and it’s hard to believe that they would last for three years. It’s even more implausible to think that this matching process could be done across borders—matching workers who are still in their home country with US corporations. The workers will probably have to fill out a Web form to apply and chances are there’s no Web access anywhere near where they live. So, they’ll just move themselves cross border in order to present themselves in person to a potential employer. Bush’ plan is indeed a scam and so devoid of reality in the world of immigration that it reeks of a political move, not a genuine solution to benefit all, especially not the immigrant community.
Posted by Peter Rutten on Feb 8, 2004 at 3:12 AM This is nothing but apeasement to hispanic’s for the vote. With so many African-American men incararated, why not a pardon for them! The President is advocating a break for these admitted Federal law breakers. The Brothers in jail need jobs too. I say round them up and ship them home. We deserve decent wages for a days labor. The President will not receive my vote come November nor a pardon…
Posted by Reginald Sanders on Feb 8, 2004 at 7:12 PM “This is an outrage, no one should have to pay money in order to get a job”
I guess you are unaware of ‘headhunters’.
The “rich” do it all the time. The “middle class” do it too.
Many top paying jobs are paid for. If your claim is true, this is merely the same thing reduced in scale.
The reasonto “pay money in order to get a job” is so that one can get a better job than one could get on one’s own.
What would be an outrage would be if I couldn’t do this.
Posted by Nus on Feb 9, 2004 at 8:15 PM Competition…..free market economy….Righttttttttt. Gee Wally, I certainly have a choice between all the different broadband Internet service providers that are available to me.
Posted by Michael Copple on Feb 9, 2004 at 9:44 PM yes, american wages might be twice or 3 or 4 times what an immigrant worker can make at home—but how is that the point? to make it sound as if they should be grateful that we allow them to do our scum work at prices that we would laugh at, just because we happen to be born into a wealthier country, is ridiculous. wheres the “land of opportunity” in that line of thought? it should be equal opportunity, not bottom of the barrel opportunity. you cant just contrast everything to make something look good—you need to take a hard look at the original point
Posted by kelly kee on Feb 10, 2004 at 8:14 PM Bush’s new proposal is pure racism in every way. He is trying to create a distinct lower class, with “lower standards”. Immigrants contribute so much more to America than they get in return. If it weren’t for them, who would take the job as a factory worker, housekeeper or even landscaper? Immigrants have filled the jobs that many people would never want to do… we as Americans owe them so much in return!
Posted by Leah on Feb 10, 2004 at 9:26 PM there are still a few of us americans that the phrase “land of opportunity” applies to american citizens, not to citizens of another country who are simply working here or worse, here illegally. perhaps they should go through the ropes and apply for citizenship and learn to speak our language so they can EARN what we americans enjoy “simply because we were born into a wealthier country. and JULIE that whole thing about america being about equality, well it is an american value that also applies to american citizens
Posted by doug on Feb 10, 2004 at 9:31 PM there are still a few of us americans that believe the phrase “land of opportunity” applies to american citizens, not to citizens of another country who are simply working here or worse, here illegally. perhaps they should go through the ropes and apply for citizenship and learn to speak our language so they can EARN what we americans enjoy “simply because we were born into a wealthier country.” and JULIE that whole thing about america being about equality, well, again, an american value pertaining to americans
Posted by doug on Feb 10, 2004 at 9:36 PM Immigrants should not have to work for low pay, they are just as human as the rest of us. But on top of it being low paid, these jobs are probably fairly labor intensive. So nobody would want that job, and of course Americans would decline it. Nowadays people are looking to get farther in life, they won’t work in low paying conditions. But those that don’t know any better are easily taken advantage of. I think it’s wonderful that Bush feels it is ok to take advantage of the innocent. What a great President!
Posted by Jennifer on Feb 11, 2004 at 3:21 AM Bush is trying to kill two birds with one stone: immigrants need jobs and he desperately needs to change his image (before Nov.) from that blood thirsty President that loves to get involved with unnessary wars. The Second-Class Citizenship is a great way to do it! Show the country you’re compassionate by giving degrading jobs for virtually no money to people who can’t afford to say no.
Posted by quietstorm on Feb 11, 2004 at 6:02 PM Bushs plan is wrong. Instead of creating a plan that will allow workers to basically be employed illegaly and still be exploited, he should work on bettering their conditions. What he can do is maybe encourage companies to go to mexico and build factories down there, but still regulate them. If this is done correctly, the people will not have to migrate, but will still get jobs. And if the factories are regulated well, they will get good paying jobs that are under good conditions
Posted by louis h on Feb 11, 2004 at 7:17 PM Wasn’t “the land of opportunity” a saying for our immigrant ancestors who paved the way for our country. The only thing that has changed since then is the ethnicity of people moving here. Before it was mainly Europeans and now the majority is Latinos. Both sets of immigrants performed the same unwanted work and were exploited the say way. Americans place a negative stigma upon the immigrants even though they are needed in this country. Our free-market system exploits lower class workers and the need for them is only rising. Instead of worrying about the low wages they earn here, which is much more than back home. We should be worried about the treatment of these workers so they are not mistreated. It seems as though Bush is just concerned about the well being of American business, not human rights.
Posted by giovanni b on Feb 11, 2004 at 8:31 PM Bush’s proram is nothing more than a scam. He just wants to take advantage of the Mexican immigrants he would be hiring by exploiting them at a cheap price. And just because these extremely low paying jobs are twice or three ties as much money they would get in their country, doesn’t make it right to take advantage of them like that. This program is just a way for Bush to make a lot of money while saving a lot at the same time by having all the immigrants, here now, come foward and accept this offer and then later deporting them back. Bush wants to sugarcoat this unfair and racist program by making it seem like a helping hand to the latino community. He wants to exploit and treat the latino community unfairly and then he asks for their vote, what kind of leader is that?
Posted by diana on Feb 11, 2004 at 8:53 PM Even though Bush’s plan for immigration laws reform is a guaranteed dead-end for many, if not, all immigrants, it will still attract millions of immigrants from all over the world. The main reason is desperation.
In many countries today, some people can not add up a dollar in a month. Some fortunate immigrants under Bush’s plan will make several thousands dollars and this would bring radical changes in their living styles. However such charges are on short terms.
But imagine, if you were living in some deserted town of Mexico and today you find out that there can fresh food and water for your children tommorow, are you going to think like an economist or like a human being?
Life is relative to one’s own condition. We can say that Bush’s is inhumane and unjust any human being, but we have to remember that most of us will have food on the table tonight.
So I do not know, if I should praise Bush’s efforts or slander them. I know that his plan can bring some positive change, which is better than having nothing!
Posted by Vkuk on Feb 11, 2004 at 10:54 PM In my opinion Bush’s plan is no way shape or form an improvement to immigrants. With this plan he is encouraging exploitation of immigrant workers. Of course most immigrants have it hard when they arrive here. Immigrants have become the backbone of our economy, do we really have the right to make their lives so more miserable then now. Instead of mistreatment Bush should concentrate on showing a little more gratitude.
Posted by Abner on Feb 11, 2004 at 11:02 PM i dont know why we are giving immigrants, who need to work inorder to make a descent life, the worst possible wages. what our righteous president is saying nicely is that we will use these immigrant people to get as much work out of them as possible and then send em back to where they came from before they are able to settle and live “legally” in our country.
Posted by nick on Feb 12, 2004 at 1:49 AM I agree with Tom Atkinson of Seattle, that this is a source of inequality that deliberately plans to have migrant workers become the ìshock absorbersî for our economy. President Bush openly declared that he is a Godly man, yet he willingly uses unethical means to try and secure a possible reelection. Our government is to be blamed for their failure in leadership and hypocritical standpoints, only concerned about the affluence of America. As a result, immigrants would desperately take job opportunities with meager wages. These international migrants are forced to embark on risky passages, only to work illegally, thus being exposed to all forms of abuse and exploitation.
Posted by Dan H. on Feb 12, 2004 at 1:53 AM I agree with a lot of people on this- this is no improvement for the immigrants. It does seem as if Bush only cares about the profit that he and the country can get out of his plan, being totally careless when it comes to the immigrants. The main reason immigrants come to US is for the jobs, the opportunity for a better life not just a job. They can’t get that opportunity with this plan if they get shipped back when they aren’t needed anymore. What about their needs? Bush is being very selfish and inconsiderate, he needs to step in the immigrants’ shoes and see things from their perspective.
Posted by Milica G on Feb 12, 2004 at 1:54 AM This plan sounds no better to me than putting workers in sweat shops. People come to America in search of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and Bush’s Bracero plan does not allow that to happen. It traps immigrant workers in low paying jobs and gives them no opportuinites for advancement. It is not right to treat people like property and this plan does nothing but that. Why not try to make these immigrants more reliable members of society by first teaching tham all to read, write, and speak English?? Immigrants are human beings, too!! We should appreciate all of the people that do our country’s dirty work, I sure know I’m glad I’m not the one cleaning public bathrooms.
Posted by Allison on Feb 12, 2004 at 2:47 AM First of all if Bush thinks that by passing this new law he is going to win the Hispanic vote he has another thing coming. We (meaning everyone except Bush and his pals) might not be Yale graduates but we can see where this is going. It is just a legal way to exploit immigrants. What does Bush mean by giving jobs that Americans do not want to immigrants? Has he asked the homeless person on the corner if he/she would like the job at the factory? NO, meaning that although there are people in our own country needing that job Bush prefers to give it to an immigrant because Bush knows that this person will take it for less money. Bush is trying to give these jobs to immigrants instead of improving the working conditions and wages to make them desirable not only for Americans but also for whom ever wants them. Seeking equality and opportunity is not an American value; it is a universal right that should be applied to every single human being. However, because we are living in a world full of ignorant and greedy people these right are taken away from most of us. All of our ancestors in some point in time migrated to this country and thanks to the opportunity this country gave them we are able to live the life we lead today. Bush is just thinking about re-election and he is not thinking at the consequences (that‘s a first). I just hope there are smarter people in Capitol Hill than Bush who will see how unfair this plan is not only to immigrants but also to Americans.
Posted by Michelle S. on Feb 12, 2004 at 3:13 AM Bush’s plan is to “match ‘willing foreign workers’ with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job.” If there are no Americans that can be found to fill the job, why does the unemployment rate even exist? Are Americans that spoiled?
If one has ever been in the position of needing a job desperately to support their family, then he would be seeing the world through the eyes of an immigrant. An immigrant does not have a choice to take a job or not take a job, he must take the low-paying, slave labor job in order to survive. Many rich, middle class, and globalization supporters don’t see this because they were born into the “American Dream.” On the contrary, if that middle class person were born in Africa, and grew up an orphan because his mother died of AIDs, he wouldn’t say things like, “If someone doesn’t want the job then he shouldn’t take it, it is a free market.”
Posted by natalie L. on Feb 12, 2004 at 3:15 AM Why does Bush have a problem with immigrants anyway? If they are just taking the jobs that Americans don’t want anyway, what is the problem? If he is accusing that the unemployment rate is because of the immigrants acquiring these jobs, it is completely false because Americans consider some of these jobs too demeaning to do themselves.
It is true however, that the children of the immigrants become more educated than their parents, thus moving up in the job market, which would displace some Americans. However, maybe by giving them an opportunity that they wouldn’t get back in their parent’s home country, they can make a difference, like finding a cure for a disease. If they weren’t allowed to to be educated or get a job, many advances will not be made in the world.
Also, under this new plan, immigrants have no power whatsoever. How are they protected when work conditions become dangerous or wages are lowered. This only opens up ways for more exploitation and discrimination. This plan is just plain unfair.
Posted by A. Adams on Feb 12, 2004 at 3:40 AM Let’s face it, unless you are a native american you are an immigrant or come from a long line of immigrants. I agree with Giovanni. Someone should remind bush what it says on the Statue of liberty.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.I thought that that is what America stood for. I thought that reflected our values. Bush’s plan seems to be the complete opposite of this poem. We are going to move these people in when its convenient for us and then give them the boot when its convenient for us. Thats exploitation of the purest kind and its wrong.
Posted by Chris C on Feb 12, 2004 at 4:43 AM In my opinion, this guest program is only a treacherous way to get cheap labor. Through this program the immigrants will work in worse coditions then they work in now. surely the immigrants will be happy to get any jobs yet once they start working they will feel different. What is interesting is that this is supposed to reflect the values of America. What values would those be ? I do not think hiring immigrants for very low wages show any values. This only shows abuse of human rights. Bush should know that everyone knows that he is only doing this in his and Americas intrests. Yet by doing this he makes america a selfish country.
Posted by Dariusz Sz on Feb 12, 2004 at 5:05 AM Hey Ash Rouhani, got a question for you. Do you know how to back up what you say? Cause you obviously just stated something that nobody can agree with, because you didn’t back up your claim.
Although this treatment seems unfair it in fact isn’t. It’s the way our economy works. Immigrants are now gonna work legally. You need to understand that immigrants are working for a better life than in their homeland. Plus, somebodies got to do the low-class jobs, that most Americans don’t want to. So why do American’s get angry when jobs are taken, when they don’t want them? It only makes sense for immigrants to take them.
Posted by Victor H. on Feb 12, 2004 at 5:11 AM this is rediculous there should be some humanity in this decision. the plan is to allow people from poor nations to come and do the scum work that unemployed americans won’t do, for less money. on top of that bush expects these people to pay to acquire these jobs? is it not enough that these people simply provide a net surplus for our economy just by comming here. “the Urban institute found that immigrants actually contribute a net surplus of $27.4 billiona year” (chang, breeding ignorance, breeding hatred). for this reason alone immigrants should have a fair chance at a life in this country, and they should not have to deal with this second class bull.
Posted by Gino Romozzi on Feb 12, 2004 at 5:45 AM Juan Gonzalez makes a great argument. The point about Bush’s upcoming election is a reliable accusation to why he will do anything to get the support of the Latino voters. I do have one concern for Bush though, what would make any Latino vote for a man who would force them to live off such low wages.
In response to Ty from Chicago:
Why do you like this program? It is based on dehumanization. And it comes from a system that calls for a program which contradicts the constitution and democracy. Bush is creating a sytem of social heirachy that will be worse than the one we live under today. This program will not benefit our economy. It will cause an increase in the use of welfare and aid. And with this increase will come the increase in taxes. With the talks of an upcoming space travel to Mars and the continuing war in Iraq, the national debt will soar.
Posted by Lindsey on Feb 12, 2004 at 6:13 AM Michelle S., apparently Bush has now become a philanthropist. But what about the 760, 000 people who are homeless, in the United States, on any given night? Why doesnít he focus on national problems rather than wanting to ìhelpî immigrants acquire a job?
Maybe now he will not have to spend those 2 billion dollars patrolling the border.
I know for sure that if I were one of them I would take his proposal immediately. No dangers in crossing the river, a job guaranteed, a salary 4 or 5 times greater than the one I had in Mexico, if I had one.
Lindsey, I will tell you why a Latino man or woman would vote for Bush. In Mexico, deep in the desertís extreme poverty, people survive by eating rats, yes, eating rats. An extreme example, I know. But this is the kind of desperation that would force a Latino to vote for him. Hence, living under those wages would be richness before an immigrantís eyes.
Posted by Rosario V. on Feb 12, 2004 at 6:29 AM I think Bush’s statement seems pretty illogical. This isn’t free market. If he is demonstrating this much bigotry, isnt he harboring hatred, which could possibly lead to terriost acts. Latinos have been in the States for many and many decades and have dealt with the dirty work. They shouldn’t have to pay to work, they are coming here to escape and have a better life. This is in any way demonstrating a good leadership and the rights of humanity.
Posted by Farah S. on Feb 12, 2004 at 7:37 AM I agree with Ash Roughani’s belief that Bush’s new plan for immigrantion is a mask to exploitation. Bush is always using democracy and the idea of free market as a crutch to implement his corrupted ideas. He boasts about democracy and tries to win over people’s votes by advocating the ideas of past presidents like Woodrow Wilson in his speeches. So it is no surprise that Bush has once again used freedom and equality to persuade people to agree with his plans. I think that by bringing over immigration to do the “dirty” work for us and paying them minimum wage is no solution but a problem. Not only is it inhumane but also unjust, which completely contradicts the democracy Bush raves of. If America prides itself on being self-reliant, then why do we need immigrants to do our work? Why can’t Bush come with a plan that will promote citizens to do the laborous “dirty” work?
Posted by Shilpa P. on Feb 12, 2004 at 8:27 AM The country that has earned the name, ìThe Land of Opportunity,î will now be an understatement because of Bushís new proposed bracero program. Bushís idea is not reasonable. I do not believe it is right for him to recruit ìguest workers.î Of course a desperate immigrant would take any opportunity for work, even if it is a low-wage paying occupation. If an immigrant wants to work and stay in the United States, they could. People from outside the United States find the ìopportunityî to look for a place to work in order to earn a better living for themselves and for their families. There is no point for an immigrant trying to get a job if forcing them to work includes terrible treatment where they might work. If the program is Bushís plan to benefit the economy, then there are quite a few things that were definitely overlooked. The economy can be strengthened through other possible means. The options only need to be known and open, not limited just to the exploitation of people.
Posted by Marlynn S. on Feb 12, 2004 at 8:27 AM While I do agree with bush in that there is a problem and something needs to be done, I don’t agree with his bracero program. To me, this program does not seem logical. I think that Bush first needs to ask him self is this actually an issue that needs this immediate attention? I agree that instead bush should focus in on different issues instead, such as the national debt.
Posted by Jacob B. on Feb 12, 2004 at 9:36 AM Anything tha Bush does seems to cause a great deal of trouble. This would be another case of that. How will importing immigrants better this economy? How about raising the minimum wage so that people can live reasonably. Doesn’t Bush know we’re in a recession? Job are needed for the citizens of the country. The citizens should come first.
Posted by Steven S on Feb 12, 2004 at 10:35 AM I agree with Reginald Sanders from Brockton and Diana from Chicago, that Bush is just using the immigrants as a stepping stone to get re-elected. I do not think that there is really a way for President Bush to accomplish this large task. And as mentioned by others, President Bush is seemingly using immigrants to do the dirty work of Americans, but of course he is sugar-coating the words in order to not be exploited.
Posted by chialinL on Feb 12, 2004 at 1:14 PM So President Bush asked Congress for a guest worker program that would ìreflect our valuesî. What group is the president referring to. Is he addressing the corporate interest which since the beginning of his term has been overwhelmingly represented at the expense to the real needs of Americans? Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. It seems far fetched that the majority of Americans would have a ìvalueî that would force immigrants to labor under the threat of deportation at extremely low wages. After all, the overwhelming majority of Americans are wage earners as well. Consequently, what kind of employee would want his employer to possess the power to get him or her thrown out of the country. It is quite obvious that the corporate interests would be the only beneficiary of Bushís proposal. It would be devastating to undocumented individuals and the potential guest workers if the proposal gets to be an official policy. The guest worker program would be a tool for the employers to depress wages, whip workers in the name of ìefficiencyî, and lessen solidarity between migrants and the long time citizens of America by polarizing the workplace.
I disagree with Juan Gonzales when he refers to the guest worker program as a move by Bush to get Latino votes. It does not take a genius to find out the real consequences of Bushís proposal. In publications, Latino community groups is already expressing their opposition against such plan. Even the unaffiliated immigrants are rejecting the plan. Not surprisingly the opposition party, the Democrats, have been silent on the guest worker plan for most of the time. I suppose they are waiting in anticipation to vote for another Bush military adventure or attack on working America. My take on this issue is that Bush is simply giving a handout to the interests that funded his previous campaign and is hoping that they would support the Bush/Cheney bid to another term.
Posted by Jonathan C on Feb 12, 2004 at 1:22 PM Pat has a point. Why is it that Bush wants hispanics to come to the US, but doesn’t want them to vote. Now what’s wrong with that picture? If he wants them to come here and help out our economy, shouldn’t we at least acknolwedge there prescence here? Instead of exploiting them, recongize them as Americans. Is there something so wrong with that? I mean, if someone were to help you out personally would you say to them, “Help me, then just leave.” Does that seem fair? Does that seem to make any sense to you?
Seeing as though i’m more than old enough to vote, Bush isn’t receiving one from me!
Posted by Mike N. on Feb 12, 2004 at 4:31 PM Bush’s latest state of the union address was all but an election scheme. all he wants is the vote of Latinos and other immigrant workers. The plans says that if they don’t like the wages theyt are recieving and they complain, then just send them back. Bush as president should try to limit illegal immigrants in the u.s. any way possible, not increase the migration. hey what’s his next election scheme. i bet he’ll fine nuclear weapons in Iraq, because he’ll probably plant them and tell the u.s. “we found what we are looking for.”
Posted by mannan vohra on Feb 12, 2004 at 4:33 PM President Bush’s proposed immigration policy is shameful. He is seeking to establish modern day slavery with complete disregard for humanity. Can an American prosper on minimum wage? No. Immigrants can not either. Yes, they would be making more money than they would in their native countries, but they would never be free of the shackles imposed on them. Immigrants are also not granted the possibility for economic and educational advancement. The only thing Bush’s immigration policy does is work for Bush.
Posted by jessica g on Feb 12, 2004 at 5:01 PM I also believe that Bush’s plan is just another way for immigrants to be exploited. It is true that many immigrants will be making much more money taking these jobs here than they would make if they stayed in their home countries, but they are being taken advantage of. They are hired to do the toughest jobs, yet they are earning the lowest wages. They may not qualify for any better job, but this is just like working in a sweatshop. It’s also unfair that they will get hired for who knows how long and then whenever Bush feels like it they will get deported back to their countries. In my opinion, it does seem that Bush is trying to do things to appeal to the Latino community, but I doubt that by doing this he will get their support.
Posted by Diana M. on Feb 12, 2004 at 7:41 PM All these reforms that are said to benefit immigrants are yet more exploitation manuevers in disguise. What exactly does this proposition offer? Legal exploitation, might as well resort back to slavery, and that way it won’t cost anything, not even the mean dog bone being thrown at immigrants. I don’t understand what exactly is the problem? Why is it not practical to just allow immigrants the chance to live here? They are already here, why not make it easier for everyone by legalize them? For a country that considers itself elitist, it doesn’t give much of an example.
Posted by Luis on Feb 13, 2004 at 10:59 PM I absolutely agree with Reginald Sanders. Bush is just doing this because he wants to get the Latino votes. He knows that even though there are many undocumented immigrants in this country, there are also Latino citizens and he needs their vote. This program simply exploits people, it does not offer a solution of any kind. This program does not improve working conditions nor does it better the situation of illegal immigrants, whose labor is essential for the stability of this nation’s economy. Like Milica G. said, bush needs to stop bieng so selfish and inconsiderate.
Posted by Gloria S. on Feb 17, 2004 at 3:13 PM i think that this is one of Bush’s way to get his firends in the top 5% to get even richer than they already are, while many of us are left here without a job because the corporations are too cheap to take hire more employees because their profit is not what they want them to be. I do not believe that he even said these things because there are americans that are not employed and are looking for a job and can’t get one. How can reforming U.S. immigration laws ìto reflect our values and benefit our economyî when Americans cant find jobs! I think that he sould get americans working again before he get immigrants working in America.
Posted by Richard on Feb 18, 2004 at 4:59 AM I agree with a lot of the postings denouncing Bush’s new guest workers program. This “supposedly” well-intentioned program should be called “immigrant exploitation 101”. Bush intends to have immigrant believe that he has their interest at heart when all he really wants is to use them to fill in for unwanted jobs that offers the lowest wage possible. I am calling the program 101 because Bush is simply doing the basic;use the immigrants’ weaknesses to his advantage. He focuses on the desperation of immigrants to make them accept degrading and service jobs. If this situation continues and the reform is accepted, people should not be surprised to see the sudden reappearition of the servant class category whose purpose is to accomodate the needs of the upper class…
Reading others’ comment I see that there are some defenders of Bush’s reform because they state that the current lowest wage in the US is still maybe 2,3 or 4 times higher than the wage immigrant would earn in their own country. For me, that does not mean anything. Such comparison misses the point that immigrants are human that are entitled to human and worker’s rights. If the minimum wage in the US is $6.50, they should earn $6.50 and not less than that. That is equality to my eyes, a value that the US promote, but clearly does not apply yet.
Posted by Christina on Feb 22, 2004 at 10:56 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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