OpEd:
Temporary Hold on Immigration: A Workforce Solution
June 22, 2009 by Kyle BradyTags: Congress, Illegal Aliens, Immigration, Obama, Politics, Work Visas
As required by the FTC, a Full Disclosure is available - this piece adheres to the Code of Ethics
America as a country is still struggling with problems despite bailouts, Congressional fingerpointing, and “recovered” banks - bankrupt states and explosive federal debt are just two of the many current fiduciary problems. Jobs continue to disappear and unemployment rises, escalating the amount spent on welfare and other jobless-related programs. And yet American borders continue to stay open, allowing more immigrants (both legal and not) to enter the country, add themselves to the job market, and potentially make withdrawals from Uncle Sam’s helpful pocket.
Which needs to stop.
The United States is a country founded by immigrants that continues to welcome them with open arms for reasons ranging from the scientific to janitorial, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with this. But in times of crisis, specifically when the internal job market is shrinking, the open immigration policy should be reconsidered. Silicon Valley, for example, has become a work visa farm for Asian and Indian interests – the cost of hiring such workers is cheaper than hiring Americans, even after all the cost associated with work visa sponsorship. This importing of foreign workers continues, while other employees (hopefully citizens), get laid off, receive pay cuts, and are asked to work less. Silicon Valley is not alone in this situation, as visa-based workers are cheap in the science, engineering, and technical fields, and are employed throughout the country.
Does this make any sense? In terms of the corporate bottom line, yes. But in terms of the interests of the American people, no – none whatsoever.
The problem of illegal immigration is already widely discussed, as it continues to put stresses on public education, welfare, unemployment benefits, and the healthcare system. Legal immigration or temporary workstays, however, are not being considered for their net effects.
Congress should consider putting a hold on immigration and work visa programs for a minimum of the next 12 months, giving its current citizens a chance to keep their homes, find (or hold onto) jobs, and support their families. This is not to say that those legally within the borders will be deported, or that individuals in citizenship programs will be denied status – merely that the country doesn’t need any more people looking for jobs at the moment.
Or perhaps an Executive Order from President Barack Obama would be a better choice of action, allowing for policy to be created within a viable timeframe.
Kyle can be found on Twitter and MySpace, or reached via email.
