Essay 499

Borderline confusion with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The Christian Science Monitor reported on the paradoxes of immigration facing officials in the U.S. Senate. An 18-member Senate Judiciary Committee is stumbling toward consensus over new tactics for immigration reform. “Today’s immigration policy is almost founded on lies,” said the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. “It presupposes lying by almost everyone involved.” In that case, our elected officials are the perfect lying experts to handle the situation.

• The Washington Post broke down some of the key legislation and proposals relating to immigration.

House-passed legislation

> Requires employers to verify the legal status of employees. It subjects employers to criminal penalties of a year or more in prison. It also sets civil fines of up to $50,000 for each illegal hire.

> Does not include a guest-worker program.

Proposal of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.)

> Requires employers to verify legal status of employees. An employer who has knowingly hired more than 10 illegal workers in one year could face up to 10 years in prison.

> Expands guest-worker program, authorizing immigrants to work for three years. They may reapply for another three years, then must return home for a year before again applying to the program.

Proposal of Sens. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.)

> Allows undocumented immigrants to stay in the country for six years under temporary work visas if they pay a $1,000 fine and pass background checks. They can later apply for permanent residence and citizenship if they pay an additional $1,000, are proficient in English and civics, and pay all back taxes.

> Allows 400,000 new guest workers into the country each year. It permits immigrants to stay in the country for up to six years under temporary work visas. Applicants would have to pass criminal and security background checks, pay a $500 application fee, and undergo a medical examination.

Still awaiting proposals from The Minuteman Project.

• Hispanic companies in the U.S. are growing at three times the national rate. Reports show Hispanic-owned businesses hit about 1.6 million in 2002, up 31 percent from five years earlier. “The Hispanic consumer market is exploding,” said Michael Barrera, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “That means that a lot of Hispanic businesses are going to benefit from that.” And a lot of Minutemen are going to be really pissed off.