It omits the heart of the immigration issue, equality of opportunity for all Americans, not just billionaires, immigrants or even illegal immigrants.
It ignores our oath of office to preserve, protect, and defend our Constitution of the United States.
Our Constitution gives our government the obligation to protect our borders against invasion and enforce our Bill of Rights for all Americans, not just the power elite.
We disagree with the present political regime of both parties violating our Constitution by deliberately abandoning our border protections.
We object to DC orchestrating and subsidizing an invasion of illegal aliens misleadingly described as refugee children.
There are 2.2 Billion poor children in the world and government cannot save them all, or even a tenth of them.
Some have disease and are career criminals, gangbangers or terrorists.
All this was deliberately enabled by present DC leaders and Representatives who refused to enforce our laws. They violated our Bill of Rights for illegal votes (without picture voter ID), to stay in power at the increasing expense of American citizens.
This was not a random event. DHS posted jobs for illegal escorts last January. Our borders are not secure.
Meantime, up to three quarters of Americans did not vote because they were so turned off by criminal politics with long incumbent Democrats and Republicans.
This allowed a two-party DC tyranny for three generations that grew unproductive government warfare and welfare faster than our economy or population.
America was so wealthy we did not notice it at first.
Now all but the 1% feel it.
We have no more government gold reserves after decades of budget and trade deficits.
Many illegals are not children, as claimed by teleprompter propaganda headlines.
Illegal aliens who say they are under age 15, even if older with gang and prison tattoos, are not fingerprinted and are released into our country, causing future problems for America and Americans.
Most do not read, write or speak English.
Many convert our cities into crime, disease and litter-filled ghettos where the majority of criminal warrants issued are for illegals. Do we really want Godfather politics?
With government support for crossing our border illegally, illegals do not obey US laws, respect Americans or our American way of life.
They come for free education, free food stamps, free healthcare, free housing, free legal services, free rehabilitation, free welfare. They give US the finger, burn our flag, spit on, beat up and kill our citizens in return.
No other country allows or promotes this because they know it is national suicide.
Of course free government rides for illegal aliens are not free. Payment does not ultimately come from government.
Free government rides are paid on the backs and out of the pockets of the declining American working middle class, while some corporations, foundations and unions pay no tax.
As a result of excess government cancer, America now has a labor participation rate of 62.8%.
This is the lowest since March 1979, the last time we had a political revolution.
We are overdue.
Just 62.8% of our workforce employed means deliberate government policies put 37.2% of able-bodied Americans out of work.
Government tyranny causes lost jobs and rising costs with IRS agents, layoffs, red tape and 20 new taxes with Obamacare.
People out of work do not have money for the American Dream, let alone to pay taxes to support Constitutional minimal necessary government.
Wealthy corporations and families are leaving America with their money for their safety.
We Americans further face deliberate Federal Reserve inflation destroying free economy, free markets, savings and our retirement for prosperity.
Anyone who buys food, energy or healthcare knows real inflation is far more than the recent 2.6% official rate dismissed as noise.
Laying off expensive American engineers and workers for lower-priced third world H1(B) engineers and workers without an American standard of living may help short term corporate profits and insider stock option perks, but does not help most Americans or America.
It is a variation of the trickle down conspiracy theory that forgets Henry Ford grew his company by paying top wages, not the lowest wages. He wanted his employees to be able to buy his cars and housing.
Oligarch government added subsidized illegals to the mix to keep real wages declining as they have since 1972 for their profits. This is hardly a fix for Americans or our economy.
It is a recipe for turning America into a third world country.
We are better than that.
The Opinion Pages | Op-Ed Contributors
Break the Immigration Impasse
Sheldon Adelson, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates on Immigration Reform
The Op-Ed:
AMERICAN citizens are paying 535 people to take care of the legislative needs of the country. We are getting shortchanged. Here’s an example: On June 10, an incumbent congressman in Virginia lost a primary election in which his opponent garnered only 36,105 votes. Immediately, many Washington legislators threw up their hands and declared that this one event would produce paralysis in the United States Congress for at least five months. In particular, they are telling us that immigration reform — long overdue — is now hopeless.
AMERICAN citizens are paying 535 people to take care of the legislative needs of the country. We are getting shortchanged. Here’s an example: On June 10, an incumbent congressman in Virginia lost a primary election in which his opponent garnered only 36,105 votes. Immediately, many Washington legislators threw up their hands and declared that this one event would produce paralysis in the United States Congress for at least five months. In particular, they are telling us that immigration reform — long overdue — is now hopeless.
Americans deserve better than this.
The
three of us vary in our politics and would differ also in our
preferences about the details of an immigration reform bill. But we
could without doubt come together to draft a bill acceptable to each of
us. We hope that fact holds a lesson: You don’t have to agree on
everything in order to cooperate on matters about which you are
reasonably close to agreement. It’s time that this brand of thinking
finds its way to Washington.
Most
Americans believe that our country has a clear and present interest in
enacting immigration legislation that is both humane to immigrants
living here and a contribution to the well-being of our citizens.
Reaching these goals is possible. Our present policy, however, fails
badly on both counts.
We
believe it borders on insanity to train intelligent and motivated
people in our universities — often subsidizing their education — and
then to deport them when they graduate. Many of these people, of course,
want to return to their home country — and that’s fine. But for those
who wish to stay and work in computer science or technology, fields
badly in need of their services, let’s roll out the welcome mat.
A
“talented graduate” reform was included in a bill that the Senate
approved last year by a 68-to-32 vote. It would remove the worldwide cap
on the number of visas that could be awarded to legal immigrants who
had earned a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or
mathematics from an accredited institution of higher education in the
United States, provided they had an offer of employment. The bill also
included a sensible plan that would have allowed illegal residents to
obtain citizenship, though only after they had earned the right to do
so.
Americans
are a forgiving and generous people, and who among us is not happy that
their forebears — whatever their motivation or means of entry — made it
to our soil?
For
the future, the United States should take all steps to ensure that
every prospective immigrant follows all rules and that people breaking
these rules, including any facilitators, are severely punished. No one
wants a replay of the present mess.
We
also believe that America’s self-interest should be reflected in our
immigration policy.
For example, the EB-5 “immigrant investor program,”
created by Congress in 1990, was intended to allow a limited number of
foreigners with financial resources or unique abilities to move to our
country, bringing with them substantial and enduring purchasing power.
Reports of fraud have surfaced with this program, and we believe it
should be reformed to prevent abuse but also expanded to become more
effective. People willing to invest in America and create jobs deserve
the opportunity to do so.
Their
citizenship could be provisional — dependent, for example, on their
making investments of a certain size in new businesses or homes.
Expanded investments of that kind would help us jolt the demand side of
our economy. These immigrants would impose minimal social costs on the
United States, compared with the resources they would contribute. New
citizens like these would make hefty deposits in our economy, not
withdrawals.
Whatever
the precise provisions of a law, it’s time for the House to draft and
pass a bill that reflects both our country’s humanity and its
self-interest. Differences with the Senate should be hammered out by
members of a conference committee, committed to a deal.
A
Congress that does nothing about these problems is extending an
irrational policy by default; that is, if lawmakers don’t act to change
it, it stays the way it is, irrational. The current stalemate — in which
greater pride is attached to thwarting the opposition than to advancing
the nation’s interests — is depressing to most Americans and virtually
all of its business managers. The impasse certainly depresses the three
of us.
Signs
of a more productive attitude in Washington — which passage of a
well-designed immigration bill would provide — might well lift spirits
and thereby stimulate the economy.
It’s time for 535 of America’s
citizens to remember what they owe to the 318 million who employ them.
Sheldon G. Adelson is the chairman and chief executive of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Warren E. Buffett is the chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway. Bill Gates, former chairman and chief executive of Microsoft, is co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A version of this op-ed appears in print on July 11, 2014, on page A25 of the New York edition with the headline: Break the Immigration Impasse.
W.A. Spitzer
is a trusted commenter Faywood, New Mexico 13 hours ago
"The reason is that labor has no leverage when
the supply is infinite because of immigration and outsourcing."....The
reason is that Congress has refused to fund needed: infrastructure
repair, an upgraded power grid, improved public education, better
National Parks, more affordable college education, and critical basic
research. All of these things cannot be outsourced, they improve
everyone's standard of living, and would reduce the level of
unemployment. If there were more jobs at home, increased wages would
follow. And why does Congress refuse to do anything? Because somehow it
is more important for Congress to make Obama look bad, than to do what
is right for the country. Someday American voters will look back at this
period and be very ashamed of what has been allowed to transpire.
John Drake
The Village 10 hours ago
I have one of those high-tech STEM jobs that
everyone exhorts us to pursue, but I wonder how long the authors, and
the President for that matter, are going to let me keep it:
In 2012 I returned to a company for whom I had worked from 2007 to 2008 to discover that most of the people with whom I had previously worked had been replaced when most IT functions were outsourced to one of those global companies everyone knows by its initials. That company replaced the existing staff with approximately 40 IT professionals it imported from India --in 2009, when unemployment was over 10% and would stay that high for another year!
I know of two occasions when another well-known two-initial corporation brought Chinese "specialists" to the country to oversee data center moves --a complicated task to be sure, but one that many Americans have performed. (In fact we spent a lot of time cleaning up their efforts for one of these moves.)
I have an experienced colleague who spent 18 months looking for work before recently finding a contract position.
When employers claim there's a shortage of high tech workers they really mean there's a shortage of personnel willing to work for what they want to pay.
They also make this claim to justify bringing in someone with experience in the newest version of a system instead of spending money to train an existing resource who has expertly managed the previous version for them.
Shortage indeed! Just an excuse to render us redundant.
In 2012 I returned to a company for whom I had worked from 2007 to 2008 to discover that most of the people with whom I had previously worked had been replaced when most IT functions were outsourced to one of those global companies everyone knows by its initials. That company replaced the existing staff with approximately 40 IT professionals it imported from India --in 2009, when unemployment was over 10% and would stay that high for another year!
I know of two occasions when another well-known two-initial corporation brought Chinese "specialists" to the country to oversee data center moves --a complicated task to be sure, but one that many Americans have performed. (In fact we spent a lot of time cleaning up their efforts for one of these moves.)
I have an experienced colleague who spent 18 months looking for work before recently finding a contract position.
When employers claim there's a shortage of high tech workers they really mean there's a shortage of personnel willing to work for what they want to pay.
They also make this claim to justify bringing in someone with experience in the newest version of a system instead of spending money to train an existing resource who has expertly managed the previous version for them.
Shortage indeed! Just an excuse to render us redundant.
CNNNNC
CT 8 hours ago
How about hiring our own 'talented graduates' who by most accounts are woefully underemployed and in debt?
'a sensible plan that would have allowed illegal residents to obtain citizenship' and yet 'For the future, the United States should take all steps to ensure that every prospective immigrant follows all rules and that people breaking these rules, including any facilitators, are severely punished. No one wants a replay of the present mess'
How do these three privileged, insulated men believe that allowing current illegal residents to obtain citizenship is not rewarding law breaking and will somehow not lead to more?
This is not 'America's self-interest'. It's only in the interest of those seeking cheaper labor and votes.
'a sensible plan that would have allowed illegal residents to obtain citizenship' and yet 'For the future, the United States should take all steps to ensure that every prospective immigrant follows all rules and that people breaking these rules, including any facilitators, are severely punished. No one wants a replay of the present mess'
How do these three privileged, insulated men believe that allowing current illegal residents to obtain citizenship is not rewarding law breaking and will somehow not lead to more?
This is not 'America's self-interest'. It's only in the interest of those seeking cheaper labor and votes.
Bill
New York 8 hours ago
The sensible reform of which you speak would
pass both houses of Congress tomorrow morning, probably by wide
majorities. And would be signed by President Obama in the afternoon. But
such sensible legislation cannot be passed in the House of
Representatives unless Speaker Boehner permits a vote. He does not
permit a vote because the Republican caucus does not want such a vote to
happen. It really is that simple and undemocratic.
Mr. Adelson, this is where you may have some sway, perhaps. This laudable effort at immigration reform is blocked solely by the party you so generously fund.
Mr. Adelson, this is where you may have some sway, perhaps. This laudable effort at immigration reform is blocked solely by the party you so generously fund.
Jack Nargundkar
Germantown, MD 8 hours ago
It was kind of disappointing to read Messrs.’
Adelson, Buffett and Gates make a case for the educated immigrant and
the wealthy immigrant but ignoring the one seeking basic dignity and
liberty.
Whatever happened to those welcoming words inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
How many immigrants have come to America in the past two centuries because they were well educated or were very rich? I would estimate less than a fraction of 1%. An immigrant nation simply cannot forgets its roots – the foundation that made this country what it is today, was built on the backs of “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” and we can’t afford to forget it.
Whatever happened to those welcoming words inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
How many immigrants have come to America in the past two centuries because they were well educated or were very rich? I would estimate less than a fraction of 1%. An immigrant nation simply cannot forgets its roots – the foundation that made this country what it is today, was built on the backs of “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” and we can’t afford to forget it.
Jerry Fincher Hough
is a trusted commenter Durham, NC 14 hours ago
This is precisely why Brat mobilized so many
voters against Cantor. These the authors are precisely the people who
want a lot of immigrants to keep profits high, which means keeping wages
low.
In the last 22 months, the markets are up 20% after inflation, while wages after inflation are flat. The market has almost tripled in the last 5 years. Again wages are flat after taxes over this five years.
The reason is that labor has no leverage when the supply is infinite because of immigration and outsourcing. In these circumstances, this column is simply repulsive. And it is stupid because it is going to produce a political explosion.
In the last 22 months, the markets are up 20% after inflation, while wages after inflation are flat. The market has almost tripled in the last 5 years. Again wages are flat after taxes over this five years.
The reason is that labor has no leverage when the supply is infinite because of immigration and outsourcing. In these circumstances, this column is simply repulsive. And it is stupid because it is going to produce a political explosion.
Socrates
Verona, N.J. 6 hours ago
All three of you tycoons know very well that the only remaining public policy left in the United States is campaign bribery.
Legislators don't legislate because:
1) they're full-time fund-raisers, and
2) the will of a few of their largest fundraisers negates the will of their broader constituency who cannot afford to make large and obscene campaign bribes
Multiply the phenomenon by 538 legislators and one President and 318 million Americans - as well as sensible public policies - are effectively and completely ignored.
If we hope to ever have a functioning government and legislature, the money and fundraising must be banned from campaigns so legislators can legislate without any thoughts of 'fundraising'.
What you three zillionaires have to ironically accomplish within the current framework is to 'contribute'/bribe all of the 538 United States legislators to ban the very 'contributions' you're giving them on a go-forward basis.
Once public campaign financing is accomplished, immigration reform and a hundred other reforms will flow like honey and America's government will be rescued from its current sewer of legalized bribery.
Only zillionaires like you three can accomplish this modern miracle.
It's only the very concept of representative democracy that's at stake here, gentlemen.
Show us your patriotism, gentlemen zillionaires, and help 318 million Americans realize that the idea and dream of America is not as dead as a dollar bill.
Legislators don't legislate because:
1) they're full-time fund-raisers, and
2) the will of a few of their largest fundraisers negates the will of their broader constituency who cannot afford to make large and obscene campaign bribes
Multiply the phenomenon by 538 legislators and one President and 318 million Americans - as well as sensible public policies - are effectively and completely ignored.
If we hope to ever have a functioning government and legislature, the money and fundraising must be banned from campaigns so legislators can legislate without any thoughts of 'fundraising'.
What you three zillionaires have to ironically accomplish within the current framework is to 'contribute'/bribe all of the 538 United States legislators to ban the very 'contributions' you're giving them on a go-forward basis.
Once public campaign financing is accomplished, immigration reform and a hundred other reforms will flow like honey and America's government will be rescued from its current sewer of legalized bribery.
Only zillionaires like you three can accomplish this modern miracle.
It's only the very concept of representative democracy that's at stake here, gentlemen.
Show us your patriotism, gentlemen zillionaires, and help 318 million Americans realize that the idea and dream of America is not as dead as a dollar bill.
Anna
Arizona 8 hours ago
I truly can't think of anything more egregious
than a group of mega-millionaires lecturing me on the need for
immigration reform. These corporate honchos are the very people who
will hire people for lower salaries so they can make more money. Their
realities are not our realities. They will never have to worry about a
mortgage, competing for a job or putting food on the table. They made a
lot of cash. Good for them. It's America and you're entitled to it
but don't try and undermine the American people so that you can keep
skipping to the bank off the backs of said Americans. Immigration
reform doesn't ever register on the list of priorities in this country
right now.
Tim B
is a trusted commenter Seattle 15 hours ago
I agree with the authors that our current
immigration process is cumbersome and ineffective, and like many
Americans, am deeply frustrated with our partisan and bickering Congress
- a Congress which recently received a single digit approval rating.
In 1950, the population in the U.S. was about 150 million people. With our population now at over 300 million people, it is wise to consider the qualifications of who may immigrate, with good suggestions given in this article. Though it may sound unkind, unrestrained and poorly thought out immigration policies lead to greater demands on natural resources and land, our health care system and our educational system.
Recent articles about California's drought illustrate well that though this country is amply endowed with natural resources, expanding populations bring added pressure on water supplies, with significant contentions arising as to allocation and conservation between agriculture, business and all the rest of us. It used to be assumed that resources are limitless, but in the today’s world, more forethought and planning must be adopted.
Personally, I hope part of the long term process is a more open attitude about voluntary compassionate family planning. We owe it to our children and grand children and the many other species with whom we share the land.
In 1950, the population in the U.S. was about 150 million people. With our population now at over 300 million people, it is wise to consider the qualifications of who may immigrate, with good suggestions given in this article. Though it may sound unkind, unrestrained and poorly thought out immigration policies lead to greater demands on natural resources and land, our health care system and our educational system.
Recent articles about California's drought illustrate well that though this country is amply endowed with natural resources, expanding populations bring added pressure on water supplies, with significant contentions arising as to allocation and conservation between agriculture, business and all the rest of us. It used to be assumed that resources are limitless, but in the today’s world, more forethought and planning must be adopted.
Personally, I hope part of the long term process is a more open attitude about voluntary compassionate family planning. We owe it to our children and grand children and the many other species with whom we share the land.
Joanna
Bay Area, California 6 hours ago
This essay, although well-meaning, is heavy on
what would be best for rich people (businesses) and not enough on how
immigration affects the 99%. Where is the discussion on the cost of
public school education to EACH child brought here unlawfully, EACH year
($12,300+)? None of the unaccompanied children from Central America
will be attending the private schools of Mr. Buffer’s grandchildren.
Rather, it is those communities who already have a disproportionate
number of poor and minority kids who will be subjected to even more
over-crowding in their schools. These are the same schools that -- due
to the tenure statutes in some states -- end up with a disproportionate
number of grossly ineffective teachers. Not only do students in such
schools made to endure the life-long impact of bad teachers, they must
also deal with persistent OVERCROWDING and the spectacle of precious few
resources being diverted to the panoply of support services (ESL,
tutors) afforded to students who cannot speak English.
Thus, it is nothing short of bewildering to have a discussion on immigration and focus on business – without the most obvious and immediate service unlawful migrants will need to be provisioned: Public education for their kids.
It is time for a serious discussion on the impact of illegal immigration on public schools that absorb a disproportionate amount of undocumented kids.
Immigration is not just about what's good for business, Messrs. Adelson, Buffet and Gates!
Thus, it is nothing short of bewildering to have a discussion on immigration and focus on business – without the most obvious and immediate service unlawful migrants will need to be provisioned: Public education for their kids.
It is time for a serious discussion on the impact of illegal immigration on public schools that absorb a disproportionate amount of undocumented kids.
Immigration is not just about what's good for business, Messrs. Adelson, Buffet and Gates!
Robert Carabas
Sonora, California 8 hours ago
Come on, you're businessmen where are you going
to get the labor pool that makes agriculture to the dinners at fancy
restaurants cheap. Who do you think is picking the fruit and vegetables,
digging the ditches and washing the dishes? If you want to stop
illegals from coming you have to punish their employers in a significant
way, And pay living wages to Americans to do those jobs. I don't see
anyone talking about the real cost to America without this slave
labor. I don't think any of the immigrate college graduates or investors
coming to America have stoop labor in mind.
And you're not writing about the folks that come to this country for those jobs, who work hard all their lives, without the protection of the our laws and are seldom welcome outside of their own communities. Imagine if they were Americans, they could claim the wages they're worth. These are the folks that we want to use up and send home, while the wealth they have seldom enjoyed accrues to America.
Congress has demonized these "illegals" to justify giving them a short stick. Write about these people, tell us how they fit in and you'll deserve attention.
And you're not writing about the folks that come to this country for those jobs, who work hard all their lives, without the protection of the our laws and are seldom welcome outside of their own communities. Imagine if they were Americans, they could claim the wages they're worth. These are the folks that we want to use up and send home, while the wealth they have seldom enjoyed accrues to America.
Congress has demonized these "illegals" to justify giving them a short stick. Write about these people, tell us how they fit in and you'll deserve attention.
Dave Bainbridge
Dallas Tx 6 hours ago
"A well-designed immigration bill might well
lift spirits and thereby stimulate the economy"? For who and how? All
the comments made by the big three here are great but they also prove
how elite and disconnected they are from the middle and lower class.
Disconnected from the average joe and jane just trying to get a decent
high school education for their kids and earn a college degree. The
burdens of immigration will never draw within 10 miles of their estates
or where their children or grand children attend school. Google "black
flight from Dallas ISD" you will read why black leaders, families are
leaving DISD due to overcrowded classrooms and inordinate amount of
funds and attention diverted from their children to non-English speaking
students. Ironically, then Google "LULAC sues Texas" for lacking
English language instruction. Google Fairfax Virginia ISD. Past 4 - 5
years Fairfax had to divert $18 million to remedial English. 40% of
their K students do not speak English. This burden is over taxing our
schools. I see articles, ads, books telling me how far behind the world
our students are performing in math and science. Hey big 3, fix that
before you open the flood gates. Fix that first and you might be able to
sell an immigration policy that might well lift spirits and stimulate
the economy. But remember; we have a 13.2% Unemployment Rate and 40
million on food stamps you might want to take care of first before you
open the flood gates.
OutlawStar
Michigan 5 hours ago
The H1B program needs a serious overhaul before
any rational person could believe that expanding it is a good idea. For
those that don't know, the primary shortcoming of the program is that
workers are tied to their employers like indentured servants. If they
lose the job, they have about a month to find a new employer who will
sponsor them for a new visa--the old one does not transfer.
That seems like a good thing to the average person and especially to those in Congress...except that those provisions were put in there by company lobbyists. The H1B program is basically one step above slavery. The company is free to make unreasonable demands and pay lower than average salaries and the H1B employee either takes it or goes back home, probably to working conditions far, far worse than anything he'll find here.
But what about the shortage of tech workers we hear about? It's bunk. The shortage is due to creation of fantastic job requirements, sometimes coupled with a salary far below what someone who could do all that stuff would be worth. The requirements might go something like: "Basketball player: must be over 6'7", average 25+ PPG on 50% shooting, 8 RPG or 6 APG required, both preferred." Since only one player (LeBron James) would meet those requirements, the company claims a shortage of good players and goes for the cheap option--if they are to have a "less than perfect worker," might as well be someone cheap from India who is basically a slave.
That seems like a good thing to the average person and especially to those in Congress...except that those provisions were put in there by company lobbyists. The H1B program is basically one step above slavery. The company is free to make unreasonable demands and pay lower than average salaries and the H1B employee either takes it or goes back home, probably to working conditions far, far worse than anything he'll find here.
But what about the shortage of tech workers we hear about? It's bunk. The shortage is due to creation of fantastic job requirements, sometimes coupled with a salary far below what someone who could do all that stuff would be worth. The requirements might go something like: "Basketball player: must be over 6'7", average 25+ PPG on 50% shooting, 8 RPG or 6 APG required, both preferred." Since only one player (LeBron James) would meet those requirements, the company claims a shortage of good players and goes for the cheap option--if they are to have a "less than perfect worker," might as well be someone cheap from India who is basically a slave.
Susan
Williamsburg,Va 8 hours ago
Your statement article only touched on on a
small aspect of the immigrants coming to our country. Obviously,
educated students would be the desired new citizens, they would be
welcomed to come to our country. What do you say to the millions and
millions of people here that are legal citizens that are struggling? We
have many people who live here who are on food stamps and can't afford a
doctor or an education. Our African-American communities, where low
end jobs are will be taken over by newly Amnestied citizens. Where
does this ever stop? Fix our current citizens before opening the flood
gates. Four Point three Billion dollars would be better put to use in
Detroit's rebuilding for all of us. P.S. We don't have the doctors to
save everyone!
Leading Edge Boomer
Santa Fe, NM 10 hours ago
The assumption that there is a dearth of
qualified tech workers to fill jobs in the US needs deep scrutiny. It
clearly benefits Silicon Valley companies to be able to import young
Asians who will work for lesser salaries, bunk up together six to an
apartment, and toil for 70 hours a week to get code written. At those
rates they don't even need to be very good at it. They are also bound
to their employers by visa rules, so they have no employment portability
or economic leverage at all. US scientists and engineers who aspire to
normal careers and lives are obviously disadvantaged.
Right now there are only the high-tech plutocrats and the US workers on opposite sides of this issue. A serious examination of what's really going on here needs to be done.
Right now there are only the high-tech plutocrats and the US workers on opposite sides of this issue. A serious examination of what's really going on here needs to be done.
DSalter
Vancouver, CA 3 hours ago
I am one of those 50 something engineers who was
replaced by a 20 something engineer from India, who was hired for half
my salary. I was not alone, in 2008 my company found that the financial
crisis provided easy cover for laying off a substantial number of its
employees and hiring contractors to replace them. In addition, they
were able to lay off factory workers, who were replaced by agency
workers (illegal aliens) who worked for less than minimum wage, and who
would do so in less than safe conditions. The 'agencies' provided
credentials, so that training and safety were not an issue. This is all
very good for those who own the companies, they get workers for less,
they do not have to spend money on safety, and they can reduce prices
and increase profits. This does not help the average American worker
and certainly does not address the issue of income inequality, that is
the real issue in America. While I am not surprised that Sheldon
Adelson's name is on this article, or even Bill Gates, I am surprised
that Warren Buffet throws his hat in the ring. There are big problems
in America, many stemming from the way corporations have backed off
their commitments to employees and community responsibility.
Responsible legislation will recognize that any employer that uses
illegal employees, should be fined and jailed. Once that has been
achieved we can talk about changing laws that allow people who have
earned it, to stay. In the meantime, I've gone home.
Wharton
Chicago 6 hours ago
This article glibly assumes that making it
easier for foreign students in technical areas to immigrate is the only
path forward and would be an unmitigated good. I see this differently.
According to the authors, the demand for top notch technically skilled workers outstrips native-born supply, and foreign-born graduates are being deported. But don’t employers in high-tech really just have it too good? You can’t just expect talent to walk in the door, so how about nurturing it? Given that immigrants are already very well represented in technical fields, their complaint is really hollow. Meanwhile, we have epidemic unemployment or underemployment among young Americans with college degrees.
If I put the facts together, their plea is out of line, and the article these guys should have written is one proposing that we put more young Americans into graduate schools! A big part of the problem is that top US grad schools for technical fields are currently dominated by foreign-born students. The schools must encourage more Americans - maybe even be told that they can't just import top foreign bachelors and masters. Contrary to what the article implies, huge number of foreigners from US graduate schools find jobs in the US.
I attended grad school in a technical field in the early 90s. Of the group of 11 who started with me and got degrees, two were US citizens. I doubt more than one or two returned to their homelands afterwards. That’s pretty typical, and it's sad.
According to the authors, the demand for top notch technically skilled workers outstrips native-born supply, and foreign-born graduates are being deported. But don’t employers in high-tech really just have it too good? You can’t just expect talent to walk in the door, so how about nurturing it? Given that immigrants are already very well represented in technical fields, their complaint is really hollow. Meanwhile, we have epidemic unemployment or underemployment among young Americans with college degrees.
If I put the facts together, their plea is out of line, and the article these guys should have written is one proposing that we put more young Americans into graduate schools! A big part of the problem is that top US grad schools for technical fields are currently dominated by foreign-born students. The schools must encourage more Americans - maybe even be told that they can't just import top foreign bachelors and masters. Contrary to what the article implies, huge number of foreigners from US graduate schools find jobs in the US.
I attended grad school in a technical field in the early 90s. Of the group of 11 who started with me and got degrees, two were US citizens. I doubt more than one or two returned to their homelands afterwards. That’s pretty typical, and it's sad.
JohnB
Staten Island 8 hours ago
Oh great! What we have here are three of the
richest men in America telling us that no matter how many Americans are
out of work or underemployed, it's still critically important to make
it easier for employers to go over the heads of American workers and
hire workers from other countries.
And they must know what they are talking about, because even though none of them have any special expertise in immigration, they are, after all, billionaires. It's not like they would somehow confuse their own self interest with the common good. Or that they would uncritically repeat the same old conventional wisdom on immigration that big business has been pushing for years, just because everyone they know thinks the same way. People, be reasonable! If we can't trust the .001 percent to know what's best for us, then who can we trust?
And they must know what they are talking about, because even though none of them have any special expertise in immigration, they are, after all, billionaires. It's not like they would somehow confuse their own self interest with the common good. Or that they would uncritically repeat the same old conventional wisdom on immigration that big business has been pushing for years, just because everyone they know thinks the same way. People, be reasonable! If we can't trust the .001 percent to know what's best for us, then who can we trust?
Tom
Ohio 8 hours ago
Yes, these are 3 of the richest people on the
planet. That doesn't change the fact that all of the measures suggested
create jobs, which help all Americans. It's sad when leaders of the
business community have to beg Congress to do the obvious.
Tom Deegan
Alamosa, CO 8 hours ago
As a nurse, I work with many nurses educated in
the Philippines and others from Russia, Canada, India and the Caribbean,
most here on H1b visas. Couldn't do without them and wouldn't want to.
Training RN's is a loss loser for Community Colleges and four year
programs because it is labor intensive with labs and clinicals,
compared, say, to IT. I'd be a believer in Sheldon Adelson, Warren
Buffett and Bill Gates if I knew they were counterbalancing their
self-interest with a Sheldon-Buffett-Gates nursing scholarship program.
Jack
Midwest 5 hours ago
Finally the NYT stops fudging the thick line
between illegal and legal immigration. I'm a quadruple boarded foreign
physician. I am the only one in the next 4 neighboring states to have a
certain skillset. Since I have been employed, my University hospital has
expanded a wing (with 4 additional RN positions) and we have hired 3
more Nurse Practitioners. I have obviously increased the direct and the
downstream revenue in my hospital system. This is my 11th year on H1B.
Till date I have spent nearly $45,000 in direct and indirect costs to
maintain my wife's and my legal status. My hospital must have spent at
least twice as much on legal costs and Lawyer fees.
Yet every time I leave and re-enter this country, I run the risk of some sloppy 'immigration' officer unhinging my entire life and messing up years of hard working invested by me and my kindhearted academic colleagues.
Yet every time I leave and re-enter this country, I run the risk of some sloppy 'immigration' officer unhinging my entire life and messing up years of hard working invested by me and my kindhearted academic colleagues.
Jon
Unspecified 5 hours ago
We should certainly do what the mega rich want.
I don't begrudge their lifestyle of mansions and private jets, but the
rest of us are the ones that will bear the burden for amnesty and the
masses coming across our border. It's the poor and the medical that
will compete with them for lower paying and fewer jobs. It's the poor
American school kid that will get a poorer education because her teacher
has to spend more time helping kids that don't speak English very well.
The mega rich love to talk about needing more high-tech workers when in reality they just want to replace Americans with cheap foreign labor.
The part of immigration that is broken now is enforcement. Spending more money and writing new laws won't help the situation until the Washington elites and their mega rich donors show the will to stop the flood of I'll educated people coming here.
The mega rich love to talk about needing more high-tech workers when in reality they just want to replace Americans with cheap foreign labor.
The part of immigration that is broken now is enforcement. Spending more money and writing new laws won't help the situation until the Washington elites and their mega rich donors show the will to stop the flood of I'll educated people coming here.
E. Nowak
Chicagoland 4 hours ago
I want immigration reform. I think America has
more than enough room to let in the hard working immigrants to do the
jobs most Americans just don't want. But what I don't want is an
immigration reform bill that allows in 110,000 -- annually -- highly
skilled, but willing to take lower wages, H1B visa tech workers.
If there truly was a shortage of qualified tech workers, wouldn't wages for tech workers be going through the roof? They are, in fact, going flat. And why is that? The influx of H1B visa workers.
And if there truly is a shortage, our young people are desperate for jobs! Why don't these companies encourage the young with federal tuition grants or promises of loan pay-offs if they graduate with degrees in these fields? Or here's a thought: give people on the job training like companies used to do!
Let's face it. This is just another way to push down wages of the middle class.
And by the way, I have NO doubt that an immigration bill will pass -- easily, and with full Republican support -- after the next presidential election. ESPECIALLY if it's a Republican president.
If there truly was a shortage of qualified tech workers, wouldn't wages for tech workers be going through the roof? They are, in fact, going flat. And why is that? The influx of H1B visa workers.
And if there truly is a shortage, our young people are desperate for jobs! Why don't these companies encourage the young with federal tuition grants or promises of loan pay-offs if they graduate with degrees in these fields? Or here's a thought: give people on the job training like companies used to do!
Let's face it. This is just another way to push down wages of the middle class.
And by the way, I have NO doubt that an immigration bill will pass -- easily, and with full Republican support -- after the next presidential election. ESPECIALLY if it's a Republican president.
bertl
NY 3 hours ago
The computer science or technology fields in the
U.S. are not so badly in need of the foreigners' services. Averaged
salaries have been adjusted-for-inflation flat in these fields for over a
decade. If there were such a shortage, the salaries and rates in these
fields would be rising significantly. Additionally, the Census Bureau
has recently reported that 74% of Americans with a bachelor's degree in
these subjects don't work in STEM jobs. Why not, if there's a shortage?
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/the-myth-of-the-sci...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/07/10/census-stem-grad...
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/the-myth-of-the-sci...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/07/10/census-stem-grad...
Al
Home 8 hours ago
1) Secure our borders.
2) Stop amnesties.
3) Mandate E-Verify.
4) Reduce rewards for illegal aliens.
5) Strengthen interior enforcement
6) Reform birthright citizenship
7) End chain migration
8) Reduce refugee and visa fraud.
9) Reduce unnecessary worker visas.
10) Eliminate visa lottery.
11) End visa overstays.
2) Stop amnesties.
3) Mandate E-Verify.
4) Reduce rewards for illegal aliens.
5) Strengthen interior enforcement
6) Reform birthright citizenship
7) End chain migration
8) Reduce refugee and visa fraud.
9) Reduce unnecessary worker visas.
10) Eliminate visa lottery.
11) End visa overstays.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/opinion/sheldon-adelson-warren-buffett-and-bill-gates-on-immigration-reform.html?_r=0
Here's what We The People can do here now:
2014: It's time to work to elect Constitutional Independent Representatives
not funded by special interests.
Regards,
Richard <Ricardo Carlos> Charles
Now voters may better appreciate why we are taking
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