Undocumented aliens should learn English, become citizens

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From the Charlotte Observer Posted on Sun, Mar. 19, 2006

For Carlos' sake
Time for policy that includes guest workers and enforcement

Carlos Herrarra was born last year without arms or legs. To understand why
that's important to the current immigration debate, consider this: State
agriculture department data shows his mother was illegally exposed to
pesticides more than 20 times while she picked tomatoes in Eastern North
Carolina. The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported recently on the state
investigation that confirmed those facts. Yet the issue isn't simply
companies that take advantage of vulnerable workers. Carlos' fate also
highlights the urgency to fix the nation's broken immigration policy. Last
fall the U.S. House embraced a wholly inadequate approach to immigration
reform. It authorized building 698 miles of fences along the Mexican
border and requiring employers to verify their workers' status.

That satisfies many who see illegal immigrant families taking jobs and
crowding schools and who believe the best response is a locked door.
Border security is necessary; no immigration reform plan can work without
it. Yet that alone is no solution. America needs a comprehensive federal
immigration policy that includes a guest worker program and is backed with
enough resources to make laws stick. It's up the U.S. Senate to come up
with that policy. Why the urgency? The Census Bureau estimates some 11
million illegal immigrants now live in the United States. North Carolina
is home to some 400,000, most Hispanic. The majority settle in urban areas
such as Charlotte and Raleigh. The Census Bureau also estimates roughly
36,000 illegal immigrants live in South Carolina. The reason? Hundreds of
thousands of people from poverty-ridden communities cross our nation's
porous southern border in search of jobs.  The federal government has not
funded the resources to police that migration. Nor has it come up with any
practical plan to address its effects in the United States -- or the
plight of workers.

Most debate about illegal immigration centers on how it affects citizens.
That's a primary consideration. Yet illegal workers who live in the
shadows also need protection from shady companies that exploit them. Our
economy has become increasingly dependent on immigrants. Our nation is not
going to deport 11 million people. Those who are here must be dealt with
fairly. Ignoring the problem -- the current federal policy -- makes it
worse. Effective immigration policy must include these two things:

 Immigrants who come here to work should have legal status and ironclad
protection from exploitation in the workplace. The Senate should give
legal recognition to undocumented immigrants who are here now and allow
them to work toward citizenship if they pay fines, learn the language and
obey the law.

 Reforms must be tied by statute with the federal resources to police the
southern border and enforce immigration policy in states like the
Carolinas. Otherwise, they're useless.

The House took the easy -- and popular -- way out. For the sake of all --
including citizens like baby Carlos -- the Senate must step up and lead.

 2006 Charlotte Observer http://www.charlotte.com