According to the Department of Homeland Security, approximately 40% of those whose immigration status had been legalized as a result of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 had become citizens by 2009. According to Pew Research about two-third of Mexican immigrants to the United States who are eligible to become U. S. citizens do not do so. That compares with 32% of non-Mexican immigrants to the United States who do not become U. S. citizens.
I have long favored a substantial increase in the number of work visas issued to Mexican nationals by the United States—IMO the number should be something north of 100,000 per year. I think that workplace enforcement would probably be more effective in controlling illegal immigration from Mexico than border enforcement. I have no problem with something along the lines of the DREAM Act to regularize the immigration status of individuals who were brought illegally to the United States as children. My only concern about such a law would be enforcement.
I think that the need for more H1-B visas to bring more skilled foreign workers is greatly exaggerated. I think it’s mostly an effort by companies to chaffer wages down. I’ve made my proposal on the subject several times: I think there should be a central clearing house for all jobs for which companies are requesting H1-B visas and companies should be required to accept applicants who are already here who qualify and are willing to take the jobs. Companies that offer belong the prevailing wage for jobs in the clearing house or that have been found to have rejected qualified applicants should be severely punished—my preference would be that they should be denied future H1-B visas.
I’m not convinced on the “path to citizenship” for illegals and, frankly, suspect its significance one way or another is being exaggerated. My suspicion is that the majority of Mexican immigrants to the United States view themselves as guest workers and will continue to do so which means that a “path to citizenship” may be a political hot button but in reality it’s a red herring. Convince me.
Will the proportion of Mexican nationals presently here illegally whose status is legalized under the provisions of immigration reform who eventually become citizens be larger, the same, or smaller than following the 1986 IRCA? Why? What effect will the contours of the new immigration reform legislation presently being contemplated have on future illegal immigration?
What should the objectives and provisions of immigration reform be?
I think immigration should benefit the majority of US citizens.
I don’t see how getting more low skilled workers benefits the economy when the employment market is already poor for current residents. Low income immigrants will also get more in government benefits then they will pay in taxes. This is a major cause of California’s budget mess. The current laws against immigrants likely to become a “public charge ” should be enforced.
I think a higher percentage of immigrants should be high skilled but they should not be tied to an employer like H1-B visas are.
As long as we are conducting wars in Muslim countries Muslim immigration should be discouraged.