The Issue of Immigration

Charles Foster, Co-Chairman of Foster Quan, LLP, and one of the most prominent immigration attorneys in the country was our guest speaker this week. He presented a brief history of the immigration policies of the United States adn offer his opinon on what real immigratrion reform is needed to fix a broken system.

Prior to 1923 the United States had no set immigration policy. Anyone who could get to the U.S. could stay. In 1923 the Congress established a quota system that allowed varying number of immigrants from different geographic regions. This system highly favored the European countries.

Under the administration of President Lyndon Johnson the immigration rules were change to a prefence system. Under this system education and job skills along with the employability of potential immigrants weighted heavily on their ability to gain entry to the United States.

Mr. Foster Laid out what he feels are the major areas that need to be addressed to achieve actual, manageable, lasting immigration reform:

• A reliable forge-proof identity document. To dry up the job magnet, Congress should provide a uniform forgery-proof biometric document in the form of an upgraded Social Security card so employers can determine on the spot who is authorized to work. Congress failed in 1986 when it designated the easily copied Social Security card as the primary document to establish U.S. work authorization and did not require that it be upgraded. At the same time, Congress should increase penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and address the independent-contractor loopholes that allow employers to bypass verification laws. That alone would be far more effective than quadrupling the Border Patrol.
  
  
• Temporary worker program. Most illegal workers who come to get a job only want to work, save money and go home. Yet there is no viable temporary worker program for semi- or low-skilled workers. Congress should restrict same to applicants from North America, thus permitting circular immigration, and protect U.S. workers by requiring proof of prior recruitment of U.S. workers at the prevailing wage.
  
  
• Registration of illegal workers. Congress should require those here illegally to come forward within a reasonable time frame to be identified, registered and fingerprinted. Those without criminal records would be eligible for an interim status that would allow them to work, pay taxes and travel in and out of the country. Such status could be extended only upon payment of a fine for violating U.S. immigration law and back taxes and registering in English-language and civics courses. Further extension would also be conditioned upon completion of the latter.
  
  
• No automatic citizenship. No one would be allowed to cut in line and apply for lawful permanent residency (LPR) or so-called green-card status ahead of someone who has already legally applied through family ties or a U.S. employer. Thus, at best it would take eight to 12 years to establish eligibility to apply for LPR. Furthermore, with interim status and authorization to work in the United States and travel home, many would never seek to apply for LPR. Those who did would not be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship for another five years.

Guests, Visitors and Other Good News

Joining us this week was Robbie Bates, a member of the Sugar Land Rotary Club.

The club was led by Bola Stephen in a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" to honor Arif Saleem's special day which is June 2nd.

Ken Burgess noted that his wife Judy would be having foot surgery on Wednesday, June 2nd. Archie will have cataract surgery on Tuesday, June 8th. Everyone wished them both well. (Ken reports Judy did well and is recovering at home)

Robbie Bates and Greg Gregory	Birthday Boy Arif Saleem

Coming Up At Rotary