Although debate over the subject has significantly died down in recent weeks, immigration reform remains one of the most important domestic policy issues of our time.
When President Bush introduced his "guest worker program" during a speech in January 2004, it was met with scorn both from conservatives, because they found it too close to amnesty, and immigrant activists, because they thought it was not close enough. While the political talking heads have since moved on to more pressing matters like the father of Anna Nicole's baby, I believe we should take a second look at this plan many were too quick to dismiss.
For those not familiar with the program laid out in the speech, it goes something like this. Foreign workers can enter a system where employers search for laborers and make them job offers. Illegal immigrants living in the United States may enter the program but would pay a "one-time fee to register," which workers abroad and legal immigrants would not. Everyone in the program would be issued "a temporary worker card" allowing them to travel back and forth across the border "without fear of being denied re-entry."
After the conclusion of their three-year period of work, the workers would return to their home countries. Financial incentives, including a "tax-preferred savings account" grown from their earnings and made accessible upon their return home, would help to make this happen.
At the same time as all this, the number of green cards leading to citizenship would be increased, easing the burden of the presently long citizenship lines.
The benefits of this plan are simply too great to ignore.
First, it helps the immigrants. Those who seek better lives for themselves are presently forced to illegally cross the border and work in constant fear of being discovered and deported.
Illegal immigrants are virtual wage slaves to companies that are not compelled to provide them with decent pay or a safe workplace. "When they are victimized by crime," as President Bush said, "they are afraid to call the police, or seek recourse in the legal system." Every time they seek medical treatment or send their children to school, they risk deportation.
Under the new system, immigrants are given a legal medium to seek employment. They can enjoy a contractually set wage much higher than their $4.50-a-day minimum in Mexico (but not necessarily the U.S. $5.15/hour minimum). The Department of Labor would guarantee workers' rights, and job mobility would allow workers to avoid dishonest bosses. Safe transportation across the border would be guaranteed thus dissuading potential immigrants from using exploitative human smugglers or braving the treacherous crossing on foot. According to U.S. Border Patrol, 500 people die annually crossing the border; under Bush's plan, these deaths can be prevented.
The new program also removes the social stigma against illegal immigrants and allows them to join the American community as valued and protected members.
Second, this plan benefits U.S. businesses. Companies are provided with cheap reliable labor without running the risk of trouble with immigration services.
Inexpensive labor keeps costs of production down and profits up. Plus, the immigrants who jump through all the bureaucratic hoops in order to come here are more likely to be hard workers and less likely to engage in crime, due to the disincentive of deportation.
Third, this plan benefits Mexico. Guest workers will undoubtedly send back money to their families and thus stimulate the local economy. As workers leave Mexico to join the guest worker program and enjoy America's higher wages, the unemployed Mexicans will fill their places in the domestic workforce, thereby reducing their unemployment rate and their underemployment rate, estimated by the CIA at 3.6 percent and 25 percent respectively.
Lastly, this benefits the United States. The prices of goods will stay low and tax revenue will increase with more tax-paying workers. Law enforcement will be able to spend less time hunting down undocumented workers and can rededicate its efforts elsewhere. Americans will enjoy tighter control over the boarders and peace of mind in knowing who enters the country.
Like any decent American, I vehemently disagree with most of President Bush's policies, but this is one issue he got right. If this plan can be pushed through before the end of his term, it just might be the one redeeming achievement of the Bush Presidency.