Legal
Mexican immigration: *
Jim Crow segregation * boycott of California
* 1848 annexation
of Mexican Americans
grapes – 17 million
* 1 million fled to the US * migrant workers had low Americans took part
during the Mexican Revolution
pay, no water, no bathroom
in the 5-year boycott
* 1940s & 1950s –
bracero program for facilities, unfair pay * Chavez got publicity
temporary workers * migrant workers formed
with hunger strikes (the
* barrios – Spanish-speaking
neighbor- UFWOC union, but grape
longest was 3 weeks; he
hoods w/ 50% poverty rate growers didn’t recognize
lost 35 pounds)
the union or its issues
After 5 years of the
boycott, grape growers recognized the union and negotiated a contract.
Chavez died in 1993, at the
age of 66, due to kidney damage caused by the hunger strikes.
President
Bush Discussed His Vision for Immigration Reform
1.
The United States Must Secure Its Borders
·
Since President Bush took office, he increased funding for
border security by 66%
· And expanded the border patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000
agents.
a. By the end of 2008, increase the number of border patrol
officers by an Additional 6,000.
b. construct
high-tech fences in urban corridors
c.
build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas
d.
employ motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles
e.
until new border agents are trained - deploy up to 6,000 National Guard members for one year. The United States is not going to militarize the
Southern border.
f. increase federal funding for state and local authorities
assisting the border patrol and will give them specialized training
2. Deporting Illegal Immigrants
a. end "Catch And Release,"
b. continue expanding the number of beds in detention
facilities
c. continue cutting the average deportation time.
d.
make it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens
who violate our immigration laws
3.
Create A Temporary Worker Program
a. create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our
country for a limited period of time.
b. for
jobs Americans are not doing
c. Every
worker would be required to pass criminal background checks, and temporary
workers must return to home at the conclusion of their stay.
4.
Hold Employers to Account for the Workers They Hire
a.
better system for verifying documents
b. a new Identification Card for every legal foreign (biometric
technology)
5.
We Must Deal With Illegal Immigrants Already Here
a. no
amnesty (automatic citizenship)
b. There
are differences between an illegal immigrant who crossed the border recently
and someone who has worked here for many years, and has a home, a family, and
an otherwise clean record.
c.
meaningful penalty
d. need
to learn English and work for a number of years should be able to apply for
citizenship
e. Those
who meet our conditions should be able to apply for citizenship, and they will
have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law.
6.
We Must Honor the Great American Tradition of the Melting Pot
a. newcomers need to assimilate -
shared ideals
b.
speak and write the English language.
The
House and Senate Must Pass A Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill
All
Elements Of This Problem Must Be Addressed Together.
The House has passed an immigration bill. The Senate should act by the end of
this month so that the House and Senate can work out their differences and send
the President a comprehensive bill to sign.
America
Needs To Conduct This Debate In A Reasoned And Respectful Tone.
Feelings run deep on this issue and as we work it out, all of us need to keep
some things in mind. We cannot build a unified country by inciting people to
anger, or playing on anyone's fears, or exploiting the issue of immigration for
political gain. We must always remember that real lives will be affected by our
debates and decisions, and that every human being has dignity and value no
matter what their citizenship papers say.