Andrei Kuznetsov
12th February 2004, 19:49
Bush's Immigration Trap
by Travis Morales
Revolutionary Worker #1229, February 15, 2004, posted at rwor.org (http://rwor.org/)
On January 7, President Bush announced a proposal for major changes in immigration law, He claims it will make the nation's immigration laws "more rational and more humane."
These proposals are "rational" from the standpoint of a class based on exploiting labor. They are "rational" from the point of view of strengthening Bush's post-September 11 police state.
But for the people there is nothing "humane" about it.
The proposal has a number of aspects, but the heart of it is the creation of a new "temporary guest worker program." The proposal would allow undocumented immigrants already in the United States or someone abroad to apply for the right to work legally in the U.S.--but only for a three-year term that could be renewed (or not!). And such "guest workers" would only be allowed to stay in the U.S. if they are working in the lowest-paid and most difficult jobs that U.S. citizens supposedly "do not want."
Immigrant workers are supposed to register with the government. But the White House proposal does not say how long their "term" will be. This much is clear: This proposal is not about allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. permanently (or get any kind of stable, permanent legal status). The workers must return to their home countries at the end of the term -- whenever that is -- or be treated (once again) as "illegal aliens."
This plan means that undocumented workers in this country are being told to come forward, register with the government, and be temporarily "legalized" -- but at the same time, be identified (by that same process!) for possible later expulsion by the government. They will need to announce their presence in the country, their address, their employer, and details of their life -- all for a chance of temporary legality!
This proposal is not a law yet. It is a recommendation to the Congress (which is controlled by Bush's party), and will work its way through a larger debate in the ruling class and then through the legislative process. But the larger policy it is part of--militarizing the southern border, establishing some new temporary "guest worker" plan, continuing the super-exploitation of immigrants, etc.--has broad support within the U.S. ruling class, and both main political parties... continue @ http://www.rwor.org/a/1229/immigration-main.htm
by Travis Morales
Revolutionary Worker #1229, February 15, 2004, posted at rwor.org (http://rwor.org/)
On January 7, President Bush announced a proposal for major changes in immigration law, He claims it will make the nation's immigration laws "more rational and more humane."
These proposals are "rational" from the standpoint of a class based on exploiting labor. They are "rational" from the point of view of strengthening Bush's post-September 11 police state.
But for the people there is nothing "humane" about it.
The proposal has a number of aspects, but the heart of it is the creation of a new "temporary guest worker program." The proposal would allow undocumented immigrants already in the United States or someone abroad to apply for the right to work legally in the U.S.--but only for a three-year term that could be renewed (or not!). And such "guest workers" would only be allowed to stay in the U.S. if they are working in the lowest-paid and most difficult jobs that U.S. citizens supposedly "do not want."
Immigrant workers are supposed to register with the government. But the White House proposal does not say how long their "term" will be. This much is clear: This proposal is not about allowing undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. permanently (or get any kind of stable, permanent legal status). The workers must return to their home countries at the end of the term -- whenever that is -- or be treated (once again) as "illegal aliens."
This plan means that undocumented workers in this country are being told to come forward, register with the government, and be temporarily "legalized" -- but at the same time, be identified (by that same process!) for possible later expulsion by the government. They will need to announce their presence in the country, their address, their employer, and details of their life -- all for a chance of temporary legality!
This proposal is not a law yet. It is a recommendation to the Congress (which is controlled by Bush's party), and will work its way through a larger debate in the ruling class and then through the legislative process. But the larger policy it is part of--militarizing the southern border, establishing some new temporary "guest worker" plan, continuing the super-exploitation of immigrants, etc.--has broad support within the U.S. ruling class, and both main political parties... continue @ http://www.rwor.org/a/1229/immigration-main.htm