THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE
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Transcript of THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE
REVISED CLASS SCHEDULE
May 28: The Immigration Debate
May 30: The Ebullience of Brazil
June 04: The Latino Experience in America
June 06: Review and Study Guide
GUEST SPEAKER MAY 30
“The Ebullience of Brazil”
Simeon Nichter (UCSD Political Science) Ph.D. UC Berkeley Fellowships at Stanford, Harvard, and Center for
Global Development (Washington DC) Research: political voice of the poor, especially in
Latin America (and Brazil)
The Immigration Debate: Patterns and Policies
THE NUMBERS GAME(S)FlowsStocksProportionsCosts and benefitsRates of assimilation
Emotional Issues and Political Debates
Multiculturalism vs. melting potsDiversity vs. traditionFairness vs. efficiency
Numerical Dimensions
• ~11 million illegal immigrants in U.S.• 55-60% from Mexico• 25% of Mexico’s able-bodied male workforce now in U.S.• U.S.-Mexican wage ratio ~ 8:1 or 10:1
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E s t a d o s U n i d o s d e A m é r i c a
G o l f o d e M é x i c o
T ró p i c o d e C án ce r
B e l ic e
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O c é a n o P a c í fi c o G u a te m a la
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Go l f o d e C a l i f o r n i a
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Regional Origin of Mexican Migrants
Effects of Border Enforcement
1. Shifting routes (toward Arizona)2. Increased use of coyotes (smugglers)3. Reduced “circularity” (more permanent
stays)4. More women and families5. Increased loss of life
Migration and the Global Economic Crisis
Context: joblessness everywhereNew entries down (not due to border enforcement, since
95% of migrants without papers get through)Return migration growing (despite concern in Mexico
about major increase)Net migration from Mexico ~ zeroWithin USA, unemployment among Latino men >
Anglo men
Strategies for restriction: Building fences Blocking corridors (e.g., Operation Gatekeeper) Withdrawing incentives and benefits (e.g., Prop 187) Punishing employers
Strategies for opening: Augmenting quotas Guest-worker programs Eliminating barriers
Strategies for reduction: Targeting economic development Circulating information Additional steps?
The Range of Policy Choice: Illegal Migration
Initiatives on Migration
Phase 1: The Whole Enchilada (January-September 11, 2001)
Phase 2: Focus on Security and Border Fortification
Phase 3: The Second Bush Term • Temporary amnesty for those here and employed • Guest-worker program• Eventual path to citizenship
OBAMA AND THE “GANG OF EIGHT”
Path to citizenship: Apply for green card in 10 years, citizenship 3 years after that; pay $1,000 fine plus back taxes; stay employed and learn English (faster track for Dream Act youth)
Border patrol: DHS to receive $3 billion for improved border security, including use of surveillance drones and 3,500 additional agents, plus $1.5 billion for fencing. Within 5 years DHS must achieve 100 % surveillance of border and apprehend 90% of illegal crossers in “high-risk” (densely populated) areas
Skilled workers: visas for skilled engineers and computer programmers to increase from 65,000 per year to 110,00, with an eventual cap as high as 180,000
Guest workers: new program of 20,000 for low-skilled workers, rising to 75,000 by 2019; limitation on farm workers
Family visas: tighter restrictions on family unification; point system based on family ties and work skills by 2015
A HIGHLY EDUCATED GUESS
CIR will pass in Senate with as many as 70 votes
It will fail in the House by about 7 votes
Question: What might change the odds in the House?