There are between 10-15 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. This is a constant issue with the American voters, as more and more undocumented immigrants come into the country looking for work. This is of particular concern post 9-11, as our porous border with Mexico could allow terrorists easy entrance into the country.
As they are not documented, these workers do not receive the legal protections and standards our citizens or legal immigrants do. Therefore, for instance, they do not get paid minimum wage, do not pay federal income tax and in many cases, no Social Security taxes. They do not have health insurance, so if they go to the hospital it costs health care providers and insurers money. If employers abuse them, they have no legal recourse to address that abuse. The list goes on and on.
Yet, they are a vital part of our economy, allowing us to purchase many goods, such as food, for much cheaper than if legal workers did these jobs. As a solution to this problem, President Bush offered a comprehensive package that expanded the guest worker program, allowed undocumented workers a fast track to citizenship, and increased security along the U.S./Mexican border.
This not only was a reasonable policy, but politically savvy. Conservative Southern Democrats held up civil rights for African Americans, and thus were the only ones capable of breaking down legal discrimination as Lyndon Johnson eventually did. So too Republicans, traditionally opposed to undocumented immigrants, have to be the party to liberalize immigration laws allowing more immigrants to come here legally.
Democrats passed comprehensive civil rights legislation, and African Americans still vote Democratic 90% of the time as a result. Bush wants to legalize millions of undocumented workers for the same reason. Latinos are the fastest growing group in the country, particularly in the future political battleground of the Southwest. They are a key group in any future election, and by legalizing them, millions of more Latinos would vote Republican for decades.
Most Republican were too narrow minded and unduly influenced by the racist anti-immigrant crowd to see this and opposed Bush’s plan. This gives Democrats the opportunity to show Latinos they support a common sense, comprehensive immigration plan that will legalize millions of hard working immigrants who just want a better life and to create a better world for their children. If the Dems take this opportunity they can snatch the Latino vote from the jaws of the Republicans.
Policy
1) Increase legal immigration
2) Create guest worker program for current illegal immigrants
3) Crack down on businesses hiring undocumented workers
4) Improve high tech surveillance on border
5) Start improving Mexico’s economy by strengthening their labor standards.
Messages
1) America grew because of immigrants
2) Immigrants work hard, want to do better and have their kids do better
3) There are not enough people to float Social Security. We simply need more workers.
4) Undocumented workers are less taxing on the system if they are legal.
5) The real criminals are businesses that hire undocumented workers.