Immigration reform will help

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By Tracy Warner
Editorial Page Editor

Friday, November 9, 2012

Just look at those people, said David Brooks at PBS. That’s all you need to know.

The broadcast focused on Election Night gatherings in Chicago and Boston. The victorious Democrats celebrated with great joy as they awaited the president’s victory speech. The Republicans moped and milled as they braced for concession. The cameras toggled between the two contrasting scenes. The difference was stark. The dancing Democrat revelers were young and beautiful, plentiful and hip, and they came in every shade imaginable. Republicans had some diversity and youth, too, but conspicuously plentiful were the proverbial old white guys in suits.

I happen to like old white guys in suits, and the Democrats still have many. The point is, even absent the obvious mood-changing effects of victory or defeat, if I was 30 years old I know where I would want to be. If I was something other than white, I would know instantly where I fit in.

Republicans don’t need to open a disco, but they should observe the makeup of the crowd and see symptoms in need of treatment. It’s hard to build a majority promoting policies unintentionally, or intentionally, exclusive. The theme from the Republican base on immigration and immigration reform has failed as policy but succeeded as an alienating force. Intolerance of illegal immigrants may appeal on a pure rule-of-law basis, but in the real world the impact cuts far too wide. Even if unintended, it sent a message to 10 percent of the electorate that their very presence in the country was viewed with suspicion. Then these same people hear from the party nominee that he hoped 13 million of their friends and relatives would leave the country, and we don’t want their children in college, thanks, because that’s amnesty. The message was not subtle, and not lost on 70 percent of Latinos who voted for Barack Obama. Asked by Fox News analyst Juan Williams why the Republican message failed to draw Latino voters, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said, “It’s very hard to make the economic argument to people who think you want to deport their grandmother.”

Repairs can begin with immigration reform, which everyone should know is long overdue. Some progress is possible now, more than any time since President Bush tried and failed. Consider immediately the means to increase legal immigration, which has been stifled into near non-existence and so made illegal immigration an economic inevitability. Build tools that let foreigners in need of work find it in the United States. Find ways that let foreign students educated in our universities use their skills here, where our economy can benefit. Consider the long dormant AgJOBS bill or something like it, to create a guest worker program so willing foreign workers can fill the desperate need for their skills and effort in the United States and support a multi-billion-dollar industry. Consider the DREAM Act, to let undocumented immigrants who came here as children seek higher education in their home country, this country, where they were schooled and nurtured. Find a way for 13 million people, who may have arrived here outside the law but have worked here, raised their families here, and contributed to our economy, find a way to live here legally and yes, eventually become citizens if they choose.

Do these things and it will be a net economic benefit for the country. It will make it possible to secure our borders at last, as our economic needs can be supplied legally. And it will, maybe, help Republicans change their demographic makeup so one day they can celebrate again.

Tracy Warner’s column appears Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at warner@wenatcheeworld.com or 665-1163.

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Flamebike 6 months, 1 week ago

"Build tools that let foreigners in need of work find it in the United States."

And what tools are those Tracy? You are very good at critisizing, but fall short on suggestions and solutions. Just in case you haven't heard, there are millions upon millions of US citizens out of work right now--and you'd suggest that we keep them unemployed to allow undocumented aliens to fill those jobs that become availiable?I'd like to know your solutions to this problem. And how will it make it possible to secure the Borders?

Suz 6 months, 1 week ago

Just keep that up for the next four years Flame, and urge your political party to continue to fight immigration reform, and watch the Democrats win another election.

lonedog3 6 months, 1 week ago

Every nation has secure borders and strict laws for those that violate those borders. EXCEPT the United States. Why are the liberals so against this nation haveing the same laws protecting our borders as other countries have?

Dudleydoright 6 months, 1 week ago

Because there is a portion of the democrat base that knows thier future is not with traditional America. This is the reason the Obama administration is advertising in Mexico how to get on food stamps in America. Their positions have been roundly rejected by traditional America so they have to go to small portions of the country like homosexuals, pot smokers, the envious, unions and illegals (voter id) to eek out a win. Sadly his tactic has so divided the country that the chance of doing anything in his second term is about nil. We had the chance to elect a uniter but got a divider in chief instead.

Jeremy 6 months, 1 week ago

Flamebike-

"Just in case you haven't heard, there are millions upon millions of US citizens out of work right now--and you'd suggest that we keep them unemployed to allow undocumented aliens to fill those jobs that become availiable?"

The only people keeping people unemployed are them selfs. There are jobs out there, if there wasn't then why would immigrants come to the United States??! Who is going to work in the fields picking crops in the middle of summer in 100 degree heat? Who will work in packing sheds? Who is going to work in fruit orchards? Who is going to do those kind of hard labor jobs? Are people like you going to if you were unemployed ?? I don't think so! Why don't people that are on welfare take those type of jobs?? (which I may remind you they are not all Hispanics, majority are Caucasian and African Americans because to be eligible to receive welfare you have to be legal in this country) why don't unemployed people take these kind of jobs?? Be realistic, they won't! This country need Hispanic and other minorities who work these jobs for this country's economy. People come here to achieve "The American Dream" and most start by working those kind of jobs.

Jeremy 6 months, 1 week ago

I was being defensive about your comment, your discrediting hard working undocumented people, lets give these people a chance and an opportunity to succeed legally

. "Just in case you haven't heard, there are millions upon millions of US citizens out of work right now--and you'd suggest that we keep them unemployed to allow undocumented aliens to fill those jobs that become availiable?"

There are many jobs available and your right in this community it's hard to find a good paying job but people have choices and sadly most decide to take easy way out and not want to work hard to succeed. I agree with you illegal inmigration is a problem and I feel a reform for qualified indiviudals would help the process of securing our borders. Keep hard working, tax paying honest people here and give the boot to criminals who come to this country either legally or illiegaly just to give a bad name to people who come to this country to make an honest and hard working living.

lonedog3 6 months, 1 week ago

" hard working undocumented people" Call it what you like but illegal is still illegal! NOt one person has any issues with those coming to this country in a legal manner so get off the high and almighty.

rwaller 6 months, 1 week ago

It is mind boggling that the only lesson the republicans took from this election is how they can con more Hispanics to vote for them. They are not looking to further the living standards of Hispanics but instead merely covet their vote.

The thinking is that if they can manipulate more Hispanics to vote for them that the rest of their hate filled platform will not have to be altered.

Nope, they did not lose the election because of a constant barage of hate for every group of people in the country who did not share their views or the color of their skin.

Keep up the good work republicans. I hope you are loud and vulgar on a daily basis. Spread your hate from the depths of your lungs. Let us all benefit from your finger pointing hate filled hearts. Be loud and proud and speed up the evolutionary extinction of your brand of politics as a viable political alternative for our country.

Dudleydoright 6 months, 1 week ago

Rick you really need to take your medication. No president in modern times has so divided the country as "the great uniter" he eeked out a win only because he divided the country into rich/poor - gay/straight - pot head/not - latino/white - inner city/suburban man/woman - pro life/pro death...etc...do you think congress is going to get along to get along? When the economy continues to sputter along or worse (see flamebikes comments above) who will you blame, Bush?

Dudleydoright 6 months, 1 week ago

It is interesting to see the companies who waited until after the election to determine if they would lay off employees/close up shop. They were hoping for a Romney win. I have owned four business in my life and the last one I opened was with the idea that I would need ZERO employees. Why? In large part the heavy hand of government. Obamacare will be the death of so many business and result in the reduction of hours for so many hourly employees that our economy and misery will go through the roof. Unless you are employeed by the state, fed, county (suckling of the tit of the people) you are in for a long rough road, and when you realise what happened, vote the socialist/communist/democrat bums out. Until then have a nice day.

Dudleydoright 6 months, 1 week ago

One final thought, Europe and their socialised system has only survived for one reason and one reason only, capitalisms big engine in the USA. We have been the big stick against the former USSR, China and today extreem Islam. When that protection goes away, and I think it should, their "utopia" will go into the trash heap of history. Why we continue down their failed road to mediocracy when we see free markets exploding across the world is baffling.

Dudleydoright 6 months, 1 week ago

My comments were so good, five others were not needed. : )

luv2learn 6 months, 1 week ago

Just as an FYI, nobody I know that values family above all else would seek work in another country and then be stuck there because it is nearly imposible to leave and return. If only there were a program wherein a person could come and work, then return home to their family, it would be a dream! I do not know of anybody who is here, working, who would not return to their family. It would fill the void we had this year during harvest. There was a "help wanted" sign at every orchard up and down the valley. Why? Why, when our unemployment rate is so high in this area? Apparently, the jobs that needed filled were below those on unemployment, and desperately sought by others willing to do that kind of work, and do it well. I just wonder what that kind of program would look like, and how on earth could it be put in place? Just throwing some thoughts out into the wild blue yonder :0)

luv2learn 6 months, 1 week ago

Dennis--I wish more people knew of these "work visas." I understand that the H-1B Visa is to be used by foreign professionals who are sponsored by a U.S. employer to work in a specialty occupation, and in order to qualify for an H-1B visa, the applicant must hold at least a Bachelor's degree and the U.S. position must require at least a Bachelor's degree. The U.S. employer must agree to pay the H-1B employee at least the prevailing wage earned by similarly employed workers in that area of employment. (I sure wouldn't want to pay for that! I'm sure many employers wouldn't want to pay prevailing wage, either!) These are not your average agriculture/horticulture jobs. Then there is the O-1 Nonimmigrant Visa for foreign nationals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements. O-1 visas require an employer sponsor as well. Again, not seeing where they would/could want to work in the agricultural/horticultural industries. There is also the I-765 Visa. If you are not a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document to prove you may work in the U.S. The specific categories that require an EAD include (but are not limited to) asylees and asylum seekers; refugees; students seeking particular types of employment; applicants to adjust to permanent residence status; people in or applying for temporary protected status; fiancés and spouses of American citizens; dependents of foreign government officials. I do have a few friends that have worked under the I-765, but as you can see, there are specific qualifications, none of which are easily obtainable for employers or prospective employees to be able to work in the agricultural/horticultural industries, which is where the help seems to be needed. :0/ I wish we could hit this target as easily as we hit the speck-sized landing, too! :0/