U.S. Committee of the Judiciary Hearing (Oct. 18) on Comperehensive Immigration Reform II
Here’s the latest on the immigration reform hearing today before the Judiciary Committee:
Download statement_of_secretary_michael_chertoffjudiciary_committee101805final.doc
Secretary Chertoff offers a three-pronge approach to immigration reform: (1) increased border enforcement; increased interior enforcement; and (3) a guest worker program. He fails to offer an explanation (1) why increased enforcement is likely to be effective, (2) what kind of interior enforcement he envisioned besides removing “criminal aliens” and the same old past policies; and (3) why the nation really needs a guest worker program. It sounds like the same-old piecmeal approach to immigration reform.
Download labor_secretary_s_twp_testimony_v2_clean_1_.doc
Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao agrees with Secretary Chertoff. She endorses a guest worker program for U.S. labor (emplpoyer) needs. She does not really mention interior, especially workplace, enforcement.
Frank Sharry, Executive Director of National Immigration Reform, advocated the need for an imaginative, comprehensive strategy for reform, much more realistic than that pursued by the Bush Administration. There is much to support Sharry’s position.
Mark Krikorian of the restrictionist Center for Immigration Studies, endorses greater enforcement, greater enforcement, greater enforcement . . . .
Professor Dopuglas S. Massey sees the immigration systems as broken and the worst of all worlds. He also sees the issues as primarily dealing with immigratuion from Mexico.
Immigration guru Dan Kowalski’s response: “Chertoff promises to end `catch and release.’ Query: Where to detain all those formerly released? Prediction: ICE will build “tent cities” in the desert, raising all sorts of civil rights questions. Plus, building those tent cities will be a juicy plum for…Halliburton?”