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Church World Service Responds to President Bush's May 15 Immigration Policy Proposals
May 17, 2006Joseph Roberson, Director, CWS Immigration and Refugee Program
Church World Service welcomes the President's call for a "rational middle ground" in response to the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. His plan has five objectives: secure borders; a temporary guest worker program; employer accountability; a rational middle ground for dealing with the 11 to 12 million undocumented migrants; and honoring the immigrant tradition of the United States.
We agree that we cannot unify by "inciting to anger or exploiting for political gain." We hope the President will put all desire for political gain aside and remember "what freedom meant" -- as he reminded Americans in his address -- and means to his family as he works to pass sane, secure, compassionate immigration reform.
The details of his plan are yet to be finalized. We look forward to complete details on the temporary guest worker program and path to legalization for undocumented migrants who are an integral part of our country, our economy, and our families.
We are very concerned about using the National Guard on the border and increased spending for more detention and surveillance. If they are only support staff, why not simply hire local support personnel?
A compassionate temporary guest worker program that assures workers' rights and human rights can help in stemming the flow of undocumented migrants. A tamper-proof ID card would, of course, be helpful. However, it is unfortunate that the President enforced the myth that the workers are to blame for working without documents. Twice during the speech he said that it was difficult for employers to know they had hired undocumented workers and therefore a tamper-proof card was needed.
If an honest discussion is held on undocumented immigration, it must be stated that the 1986 legislation, which required stiff penalties for employers who hired undocumented workers, has never been enforced. The migrants are not taking American jobs; the employers are giving them the jobs. This situation is compounded by the fact that fewer than two percent of employers hiring undocumented workers are penalized. Rather than excuse employers for their practices, the President could have recommended a program that places responsibility for the present situation where it lies. Enforcement of present laws would go a long way toward stemming the employment of undocumented workers.
CWS is cautiously optimistic about the sections of the President’s plan that show a desire to care for our undocumented sisters and brothers who are a vital, vibrant, and a needed part of our country. We are concerned about the sections that increase the present border militarization. CWS will closely monitoring the action in the Senate related to Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and will continue to encourage its constituents to make their views known to their Senators, in order to ensure that fair and comprehensive legislation is passed. Meanwhile, we encourage the President to fully embrace his faith and beliefs and do all in his power to welcome the stranger by remembering what freedom meant to our ancestors when they arrived on the shores of this country.
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