What's behind the immigration bill? (major gag alert!)

Party for Socialism and Liberation ^ | June 8, 2007 | Carlos Alvarez

[Baladas]

Last year, the world witnessed a dramatic upsurge in the struggle for immigrant rights. A mass movement for civil rights emerged in the heart of world capitalism. The central demand was, and remains, full legalization of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Since then, the issue of immigration reform has been a top concern for the U.S. ruling class and millions of workers.

Congress is now considering the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007, presented to the Senate on May 17. The bill has bipartisan support and the blessings of President Bush. For the past few days, amendments have been put forward by different politicians in an effort to shape the debate.

This bill, which is already loaded with repressive measures against immigrants, is under assault by the most racist and right-wing forces in Congress. Passage of any immigration bill is in great doubt.

The current legislation is the most recent in a long line of proposals put forward since spring 2006. All were crafted by the capitalists with their interests in mind, but all have contained some provisions that, if codified, could lead to the legalization of millions.

The earlier Sensenbrenner bill, H.R. 4437, was different. It was promoted by hard-right, anti-immigrant forces to further criminalize immigrants. But, instead, it served as the catalyst that brought millions of workers into the streets. Nationwide mobilizations from March through May 2006 smashed the draconian bill and forced the issue of legalization onto the table.

Government repression

Facing a movement of millions demanding democratic rights, the ruling class mobilized against it. It aimed to crush the movement by force while also persuading some within the movement to channel their efforts into "safe" outlets like lobbying and voting. With notable exceptions, there have been few large demonstrations since May 1, 2006.

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants have been deported by federal authorities. Local governments introduced and, in some cases, passed racist "English only" and similar laws. And bourgeois pundits and media outlets supported the growth of neo-fascist groups like the Minuteman Project.

The recent police attack on the May Day immigrant rights action in Los Angeles was part of the overall campaign targeting the immigrant rights movement. The capitalists want to settle the immigration issue in Congress, if possible, and discourage any further mass mobilizations.

The current Senate bill

Without doubt, the current Senate bill contains odious, racist, anti-worker provisions. It cites "national security" as a

Senators discuss the current immigration bill pending in Congress.

justification for proposing to add thousands of agents to the already militarized U.S.-Mexico border. There is a Bracero-like "guest worker" program included, families would be divided, and legalization could take 13 years.

But serious working-class activists cannot abstain from the discussion. The bill is being debated by the ruling class. There is no other bill on the table. The only alternative is the status quo—raids, repression and unabated racism against immigrants. It is imperative to have an objective analysis of what the bill, if passed, could mean for the undocumented.

A fundamental question facing the immigrant rights movement is whether the Senate bill will provide material gains for immigrants. The bill should be understood in the context of the past 15 months of movement struggle, growth and then contraction.

Legalization is the key concern for the vast majority of undocumented workers. Under the Senate bill, millions of workers could be eligible for legalization, but the costs are high. The bill would allow undocumented workers to apply immediately for a work visa after paying a fee. They could then petition for a Z visa that would last for three years, renewable indefinitely.

To reach legal status, undocumented workers would have to return to their country of origin for an undisclosed period of time and pay a $5,000 fine. It may take 13 years to complete the legalization process.

Another component of the Senate bill is a thoroughly anti-worker "guest worker" program. It is similar to the proposal in last year’s Hagel-Martinez bill, but even worse.

Under Hagel-Martinez, a worker could apply for a green card after six years as a "guest worker." The new Senate bill makes it much harder, if not practically impossible, for guest workers to become permanent residents. It contemplates a guest worker visa or "Y visa" that lasts two years and could be renewed three times with one year intervals between each renewal.

After this, the guest worker could apply for a "Z-A" visa and pay a $5,000 fine if they meet the criteria of a newly developed point system. The point system is based on the level of skill and education of each worker. This system is the biggest point of contention in Congress right now.

The point system would set back immigration reform to 1965, when immigration quotas were set according to what countries workers came from. Currently, the vast majority of visas are allocated according to family ties. Far fewer are employment-based visas.

The Senate bill proposes to reverse this, making employment and "merit" the primary considerations. Family visas would be reduced dramatically and would only go to spouses and minor children—extended family, parents, siblings, and sons and daughters over age 21 no longer would be eligible. This provision would divide families and must be opposed.

All bills that have been proposed over the past year, including the current Senate bill, also include measures to further militarize the U.S.-Mexico border and increase surveillance on immigrants.

The Senate bill calls for an additional 18,000 Border Patrol agents and millions of dollars worth of high-tech surveillance, including unmanned aerial vehicles, radars and camera watch towers.

The bill would create a massive database to monitor the work eligibility of all workers, verified by the Department of Homeland Security. Errors on the database could not be challenged. All U.S. workers would have to carry a Social Security card for identification.

Stay in the streets

The detestable parts of the Senate bill are clear. But the people can intervene decisively in the debate to get rid of them. Rather than summarily accept or reject the bill, the provisions should be points of struggle.

The "guest worker" program, the point system, militarization of the border, the division of families—these aspects can be defeated if the level of struggle is high enough.

This is a reason to intensify the struggle now and not to harbor illusions that the Democratic Party will align itself with the immigrant rights movement after the 2008 elections.

The question for the ruling class—Democrats and Republicans alike—is how to exploit undocumented workers most effectively and, at the same time, pacify and neutralize the movement.

The question for progressives and revolutionaries in the immigrant rights movement is how we can achieve full rights for immigrants and force the capitalists to make as many concessions as possible along the way.

The upcoming June 24 march for immigrant rights in Los Angeles will be a key step in the struggle. Taking to the streets to demand "Full legalization now" is more important than ever.

[Baladas]

Yes, I know, this is just more Marxist propoganda, but it happens to be Marxist propoganda President Bush agrees with.

[dforest]

Why, this, could have caused Senor Bushes upset stomach. He needs it passed before June 24th. If this march to DEMAND legalization happens, a full scale American riot could come about.

[LibLieSlayer]

“What’s behind the immigration bill? (major gag alert!)”

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

LLS

[sirchtruth]

a full scale American riot could come about.

Let it come! We need a good stirring up in this country to straighten things out because conservatives sure as shinola don't have the nads too!

[Nickname]

Not one single dime of federal money should go towards intervention or cleanup should they riot.

If California wants to embrace its illegal aliens and LA wants to play the sanctuary city game, they can foot the bill and reap the full rewards.

Let them enjoy the cost of their cheap labor.

[dforest]

Not one single dime of federal money should go towards intervention or cleanup should they riot.

Don't you just love the strange bedfellows in this issue?

Global Capitalist elites, socialists and Marxists joining hands.

Yep it sure is a major gag alert.

[Beth528]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=61c_1181029404

[Beth528]

Everyone should watch this link that I put up..I was so angry to think that these trash can do this in my country and be protected by the police..It actually gives me chills to think that my children and grandchildren might be attack by something like these morons...

[Diogenesis]

Did any of the Congresstraitors take money from illegal aliens
as PAYMENT for (Sh)amnesty?

[period end of story]

Stay in the streets.

That's why it's so easy for them to get their way. Annoy people, scare people, and they will give you what you want.

They already more than have the foot power to shut down major arteries in the big cities.

Government repression

If only that were the case-legal repression under current laws-this wouldn't even be an issue.

[TADSLOS]

The POTUS, Democrats, RINOs, businessmen, religious leaders and marxists. That’s one poisonous brew.

[baiamonte]

Let me just make one thing clear so we can all stay in real time. These Mexicans are here illeagally. Be clear about that. Each and everyone of them is a felon. They have broken our laws and entered this country illegally. They are using our resources without cost, disrespecting our laws, and each of them is a criminal and that goes for anyone who sneeks across the border.

[LibLieSlayer]

“Did any of the Congresstraitors take money from illegal aliens as PAYMENT for (Sh)amnesty?”

They are getting something from someone. Only greed motivates pols in the way they are motivated to cram this AMNESTY crap down our throats!

LLS

[Nickname]

I think this is why some of our politicians are pushing for amnesty—they’re afraid of the wide-spread riots that these people are capable of inciting if they don’t get their way.

It doesn’t help at all either that some of the brainiacs in Washington and in the media add fuel to the fire with charges of racism, bigotry, etc. towards those who expect our laws to be obeyed and enforced.

[vietvet67]

Sad but true.

Always follow the money..

[Tenniel2]

You're absolutely right, except for one small point that it pains me to mention: The illegals aren't felons. The only law they've broken by sneaking across the border is a federal provision prohibiting "Entry without Inspection" -- which is a civil offense, not a criminal one.

That said, any Congresscritter who offers a bill criminalizing illegal entry has got my vote.

[randita]

Facing a movement of millions demanding democratic rights, the ruling class mobilized against it.

Hey, Mom. I'm in the ruling class.

[LantzALot]

If California wants to embrace its illegal aliens and LA wants to play the sanctuary city game, they can foot the bill and reap the full rewards.

Look around. Look at other FR posts on the subject. This problem went far beyond California long ago. You hear of problems with illegals in every city in the country, and even in rural (agricultural) areas. If you're not seeing it where you live, you're unusal.

[Travis McGee]

Communists, La Raza racists, the Wall Street Journel, President Bush and many of our congress critters all agree on destroying the USA through unlimited invasion.

It's an amazing time to be alive.

U.S. Constitution, Article 4 Section 4:

"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,

and shall protect each of them against Invasion;"

---

Invasion: \In*va"sion\, n. [L. invasio: cf. F. invasion. See Invade.] [1913 Webster]

1. The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.

QUISLING: a synonym for traitor, someone who collaborates with the invaders of his country.

[HiJinx]

Know your enemy Ping!