Illegal immigration problems are mounting for state governors and President Bush. About two weeks prior to Hurricane Katrina, both the governor of Arizona and the governor of New Mexico declared a state of emergency due to a growing crisis caused by illegal immigrants pouring across their borders. California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has also come under pressure to follow their lead. The action frees up federal tax dollars to deal with the mounting costs of police enforcement, detention, schools, and federally - mandated emergency health care.
In an attempt to defuse public concerns, President Bush promised beefed up illegal immigration enforcement efforts. But just prior to hurricane Katrina, the Associated Press reported that President Bush was also moving toward allowing illegal immigrants who came to the United States before February 2004 to qualify for guest worker visas.
Hurricane Katrina's aftermath is raising further immigration issues. President Bush pledged that in reconstruction in the Gulf states "as many jobs as possible should go to the men and women who live in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama," implying the work would go to those most affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The Washington Post reports, however, "the government has acted in ways that would seem to encourage a different segment of the U.S. population to do this work. On Sept. 8, Bush issued an executive order lifiting the Davis-Bacon Act mandating that construction workers on federal contracts be paid at least the average wage in the region. The decision was followed days later by a Homeland Security Department announcement that it will not apply sanctions toward employers who hire people unable to provide proper documentation." Latino and immigrant advocacy groups say the word has gotten out that a lot of work is to be had on the Gulf Coast and that immigrants are on the move.
TSCL opposes any amnesty for illegal immigrants, and views the Social Security agreement with Mexico as rewarding people who have broken our laws at the expense of those who legally worked and paid into the system. Currently the law allows immigrants who gain access to a valid Social Security number to claim credit for work and earnings while illegal. Currently the public is being told that the Social Security system is in crisis and that benefits must be cut. Some of the proposals to reform Social Security include cuts to Cost-Of-Living Adjustments.
TSCL endorses two resolutions that would formally reject the Social Security pact with Mexico. Representative Virgil Goode, Jr. (VA), has introduced H. Con. Res. 50, a resolution expressing disapproval of the totalization agreement and stating that President Bush should not submit the U.S. Mexico Social Security agreement to Congress. Earlier this year, TSCL also endorsed a resolution introduced by Representative J.D. Hayworth (AZ), H. Res. 20, which would disapprove the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Agreement, stopping its implementation. This appears to be be the only way for Congress to stop the U.S.-Mexico Social Security Agreement once the President sends it to Congress.
Sources: "Bush Pledges Action on Borders," Peter Baker, The Washington Post, August 30, 2005. "White House Struggling With Immigration Issue," The Associated Press, August 28, 2005. "Katrina's Aftermath Raises Immigration Issues," Marcela Sanchez, The Washington Post, September 22, 2005.
November 2005
