Immigration Reform

Moral/Ethical Reflection
Immigrants are strangers in a foreign land. Scripture calls for hospitality toward sojourners.

Background
* On January 7th, 2004, the President spoke of need for immigration reform, but his plan falls short of fixing the problems.
* Reform needs to make migration safe, legal, and orderly by providing both circularity (work in US for a time and return home) and a path toward citizenship
* The President's plan promotes circularity, no clear path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship
* When there is no path to citizenship for those who want to stay in our country, we will have a class of workers who have no possibility of becoming Americans.
* For those who want to stay, the path to permanent status should
- reward the work of immigrants already here and matched with employers, and recognize their contributions,
- encourage them to learn English, become citizens, and participate in civic life
- encourage immigrants to maintain legal status rather than go underground


Proposed Solutions
* an earned legalization process that moves workers from temporary to permanent status by satisfying requirements (time in the country, work record, tax payments, and commitment to learning English and civics.

* Reconcile legitimate needs of employers and needs of both US and immigrant workers by
- target work visas to specific jobs and sectors of the labor market where there are demonstrable shortages.
- employers applying for temporary workers agree to provide same wages/ working conditions as for US workers
- allow visa portability so workers not beholden to single employer
- well funded enforcement that is complaint-driven, swift and effective

* Harmonize factors that drive migration by reforming family visa system. Presently it takes years or even decades for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to be reunited with family members.

* Make immigration laws enforceable
- legalizing those here and much future flow
- have a "smart borders" strategy that:
- efficiently screens those entering
- professionally and accountably patrols the border,
- cracks down on human traffickers
- have agreements with sending countries to crack down on smugglers and discourage illegal immigration
- direct penalties at unscrupulous employers who exploit workers and undermine law-abiding competitors.

3/2004