Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| Immigration reform |
A timely and highly controversial issue that divides Americans passionately is immigration. The
divisions are most often representative of people’s personal interests. But the issue not only impacts
our immigration policy domestically, but also our relationship with other countries that traditionally have
looked to the U.S. as a land of opportunity. A comprehensive immigration reform is needed NOW, not
tomorrow, and our elected officials should act as soon as NOW.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent, nonpartisan membership organization
think tank, the U.S. immigration policy is also a matter of national security and international diplomacy.
Their recent report — developed by a task force composed of bipartisan leaders — contains an analysis
of the issue and recommendations for Congress, that I think we should study and evaluate carefully.
Before we can even actively participate in any discussion or debate on the immigration issue, we need
to gather facts and figures, as well as note the positions of our friends, neighbors, and groups in our
community. It is important for us to take a stand and send a message to our legislators that we are
asking them to enact a just immigration reform bill in a sensible and thoughtful way.
A comprehensive immigration reform is needed to repair a broken system. Not doing so will
negatively affect our economy even more, our national security, and our standing in the world. Among
the recommendations of the Council on Foreign Relations, which are worth noting are as follows:
divisions are most often representative of people’s personal interests. But the issue not only impacts
our immigration policy domestically, but also our relationship with other countries that traditionally have
looked to the U.S. as a land of opportunity. A comprehensive immigration reform is needed NOW, not
tomorrow, and our elected officials should act as soon as NOW.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent, nonpartisan membership organization
think tank, the U.S. immigration policy is also a matter of national security and international diplomacy.
Their recent report — developed by a task force composed of bipartisan leaders — contains an analysis
of the issue and recommendations for Congress, that I think we should study and evaluate carefully.
Before we can even actively participate in any discussion or debate on the immigration issue, we need
to gather facts and figures, as well as note the positions of our friends, neighbors, and groups in our
community. It is important for us to take a stand and send a message to our legislators that we are
asking them to enact a just immigration reform bill in a sensible and thoughtful way.
A comprehensive immigration reform is needed to repair a broken system. Not doing so will
negatively affect our economy even more, our national security, and our standing in the world. Among
the recommendations of the Council on Foreign Relations, which are worth noting are as follows:
1) that a new effort to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill be a first-tier priority for the Obama administration and
Congress, and should be restarted without delay.
2) that the United States tackle head-on the growing competition for skilled immigrants from other countries and make the goal of
attracting such immigrants a central component of its immigration policy. For decades, the primary goal has been to ration
admission; in the future, recruiting the immigrants it wants must be the highest priority.
3) that foreign students who earn graduate degrees from American universities should be presumptively eligible to seek work in
the United States and to receive employment-based visas. The exceptions would be students who come on scholarship programs
(such as the U.S. Fulbright scholarship) that require them to return home after their program of study, unless waived for just cause.
There should be no quotas on the number of foreign students eligible for work visas.
4) that quotas for skilled work visas like the H-1B visa be increased, but fluctuate in line with economic conditions. Similarly, the
number of employment-based green cards should not face a hard cap, but should be allowed to increase and decrease as
economic conditions warrant. Eliminate the nationality quotas for skilled workers.
5) For those in the United States on temporary work visas, with the exception of seasonal work visas like the H-2A and the H-2B,
the Task Force recommends eliminating the current requirement that these visa holders demonstrate the intent to not immigrate to
the United States. Such a change would not apply to the many individuals who come to the United States on visitor, business,
student, or other nonimmigrant visas, and would still have to demonstrate their intention not to immigrate as part of their
admission.
6) allow greater numbers of low-skilled immigrants to enter on work visas, with the option of seeking permanent residence if they
wish. Those numbers should be adjusted regularly based on the needs of the economy, with the goal of enhancing U.S.
competitiveness.
7) that Congress approve a program of earned legalization for illegal migrants in the United States, subject to appropriate
penalties, waiting periods, background checks, evidence of moral character, and a commitment to full participation in American
society by learning English and embracing American values.
8) passage of the DREAM Act -- because it provides a good framework for a broader legalization scheme.
Read the complete report of the Task Force on immigration reform at
http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Immigration_TFR63.pdf
Contact our Congressional delegates when you have made a JUST decision.
Congress, and should be restarted without delay.
2) that the United States tackle head-on the growing competition for skilled immigrants from other countries and make the goal of
attracting such immigrants a central component of its immigration policy. For decades, the primary goal has been to ration
admission; in the future, recruiting the immigrants it wants must be the highest priority.
3) that foreign students who earn graduate degrees from American universities should be presumptively eligible to seek work in
the United States and to receive employment-based visas. The exceptions would be students who come on scholarship programs
(such as the U.S. Fulbright scholarship) that require them to return home after their program of study, unless waived for just cause.
There should be no quotas on the number of foreign students eligible for work visas.
4) that quotas for skilled work visas like the H-1B visa be increased, but fluctuate in line with economic conditions. Similarly, the
number of employment-based green cards should not face a hard cap, but should be allowed to increase and decrease as
economic conditions warrant. Eliminate the nationality quotas for skilled workers.
5) For those in the United States on temporary work visas, with the exception of seasonal work visas like the H-2A and the H-2B,
the Task Force recommends eliminating the current requirement that these visa holders demonstrate the intent to not immigrate to
the United States. Such a change would not apply to the many individuals who come to the United States on visitor, business,
student, or other nonimmigrant visas, and would still have to demonstrate their intention not to immigrate as part of their
admission.
6) allow greater numbers of low-skilled immigrants to enter on work visas, with the option of seeking permanent residence if they
wish. Those numbers should be adjusted regularly based on the needs of the economy, with the goal of enhancing U.S.
competitiveness.
7) that Congress approve a program of earned legalization for illegal migrants in the United States, subject to appropriate
penalties, waiting periods, background checks, evidence of moral character, and a commitment to full participation in American
society by learning English and embracing American values.
8) passage of the DREAM Act -- because it provides a good framework for a broader legalization scheme.
Read the complete report of the Task Force on immigration reform at
http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Immigration_TFR63.pdf
Contact our Congressional delegates when you have made a JUST decision.
