Salt of the Earth: Is an alien amnesty on the horizon?

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March 2001

Support for new immigrant amnesty grows
Bush orders bully organized labor

Support for new immigrant amnesty grows
An illegal immigrant amnesty is once again on the congressional table, though whether Democrats can push this bill past adamant anti-amnesty opposition remains to be seen.

The bill, introduced in the House by Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill), would grant green cards to illegal aliens who have been in the United States for five years. The Immigration and Naturalization Service estimates there are at least 6 million undocumented people living in the country. Any who have lived in the United States continuously since 1996 could apply for legalization under this bill. The benefit would extend to immigrants who arrived before February 8, 2001, once they have lived in the country for five years.

Growing union support for immigrant rights gives the bill a push, but similar legislation suffered a clear defeat last session. Those opposed to Gutierrez’s bill say a blanket amnesty, like the one Congress granted in 1988, would only add to the country’s immigration problems.

“The last amnesty seems to have actually made the problem worse,” says Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington D.C. think tank. “People came to join their family members who were legalized. It pulled in more illegal aliens.”

Camarota argues this bill would send a message to potential immigrants: "You come, and eventually we'll give you a green card," he says. Camarota wouldn't oppose a general amnesty under all circumstances, but he thinks the country must first control the flow of immigration and then pair an amnesty bill with job training and social service programs.

But pro-amnesty advocates say legalizing immigrants is the best way to protect them from workplace exploitation. “Immigrant labor has played a major role in the economic expansion of we have experienced over the past seven to eight years,” says United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriquez. “It is only fair that this nation recognize their contributions and reward their labors.”

At its annual meeting in November, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement calling for policymakers to reexamine immigration laws. The bishops said they support “legalization for the maximum number of persons in an undocumented or irregular legal status, particularly those who have lived here for several years and built equities in and otherwise contributed toward their communities.”

The economy may ultimately kill this bill, however. “It appears the economy is softening, and the American public is shortsighted,” says Camarota. “Last year was a better chance [for a general amnesty] because the economy was looking better.” Camarota thinks Americans are unlikely to favor more competition from immigrants in an economic downturn.

The bill, The U.S. Employee, Family and Legalization Act, has been referred to the House Judiciary committee.—Anne Graber
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