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August 14, 2005
Brooks on Immigration
I'll say first of all that despite living Arizona, which is widely considered to be the frontline of this debate, immigration is not a hot-button issue to me. I have friends named Jorge, Ramon, Miguel and Carlos, and they're as American as I am (actually even more considering I'm the one born outside this country). I have a friend named Sergio who's Mexican, but his kids are as American as apple pie.
The notion that Mexicans are not assimilating is silly. That's not to say that there aren't problems with illegal immigration, because there are. We need better border control. But I would bet that if you looked back to the 1930s you'd find articles about how the Italians weren't assimilating, with their "Little Italy" conclaves, where everybody spoke Italian. Of course, that's been proven wrong. Eventually taquerias will become part of the landscape, not something exotic, like pizzerias did before them.
Anyway, David Brooks checks in with a column on immigration that is worth reading.
The problem is that we make it nearly impossible for the immigrants to come here legally. We issue about 5,000 visas for unskilled year-round labor annually, but the economy requires hundreds of thousands of new workers to clean hotel rooms and process food. We need these workers but we force them underground with our self-delusional immigration policies. As Tamar Jacoby of the Manhattan Institute says, "It's very hard to enforce unrealistic rules."
That's certainly a large part of the problem. The idea of giving priority to workers with certain needed skills, while seemingly smart, does end up meaning that there is a shortage of workers at the bottom to do the necessary tasks that a wealthy country like ours would rather hire out than do themselves.
In the Senate there are two bills, which if combined would get us a long way toward a solution. The McCain-Kennedy bill has an effective temporary worker program. The Kyl-Cornyn bill has tough border security provisions. As Jacoby notes, the sponsors of both may come to realize the two bills are not rivals. They complement each other.
McCain-Kennedy? Sheesh, it's like the anti-Reese's Peanut Butter Cup: Two of my least favorite things together!
We're not going to deport 11 million people, many of whom own homes and businesses. But normalizing their status is a question of balance. If we treat them too punitively, we'll just push them further underground. On the other hand, they broke the law, and they have to pay. McCain-Kennedy would lure them into the sunlight with the prospect of normalization, but would make them pay all back taxes and a $2,000 fine to become regularized, and they'd have to get in the back of the line. That's a start, but the penalties will probably have to be a bit tougher to be politically palatable.
I don't know what to do about the current illegals. Making them pay back taxes and fines sounds like a good start, but I also agree with those who say it's effectively rewarding those who broke the law. The $2,000 fine is too low; let's face it, how many people would emigrate to America if they could do it legally for $2,000? But I agree that deportation isn't realistic on that scale either.
Posted by pat at August 14, 2005 12:37 PM
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Comments
I agree. Rounding up people and deporting them would make for a political catastrophe. I guarantee you that mexico would refuse to take them.
I think you are right about having a series of fines and back taxes be levied, but in an affordable deduction from paychecks.
Also, children of the illegal immigrants born on American soil would not receive automatic citizenship--they would get it after their parents register and make, say, 36 consecutive monthly payments in taxes and are "on the radar."
And obviously, a one strike and you're out on any felony.
Posted by: Aaron at August 14, 2005 03:35 PM
Did you check my INTERBLOGATORY TRIPPIN"? Look at the one about Mexico criticizing Bill Richardson for his latest border action.
Posted by: kitty at August 14, 2005 04:06 PM
No measure can possibly work until it is difficult to enter the country illegally and/or work here.
If this is not done then there will be no incentive to make a formal application, pay fees or fines, and wait in a queue. Why bother? Cross and work, in the unlikely event you are tossed out just come back.
I personally favor a fairly high level of immigation. But until the illegal option is closed the present situation will not be improved by deals you make with those either already here or applying for legal residence.
Posted by: K at August 14, 2005 10:51 PM