Denver Post Tells Tancredo to Keep H-1B

Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2003 1:55 PM

JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER

www.ZaZona.com

The Denver Post published another editorial attacking Rep. Tom Tancredo
for his opposition to H-1B.

The editorial begins by implying that Tancredo's bill to abolish H-1B
isn't necessary because "the issue is likely to resolve itself." Why
then is the Denver Post so opposed to abolishing a bill that is going
to fix itself anyway?

We are then treated to a blatant sophism: "many employers say they're
not supporting the H-1B visa program because it's a pain." There
probably are many employers, such as small family owned businesses and
the few remaining ethical employers in this country, that don't hire
H-1Bs - but they never were a major part of the H-1B problem anyway.
Unfortunately almost all major employers hire H-1Bs and that is why so
many American workers are being replaced with the cheap young blood of
nonimmigrant workers.

The editorialist concedes that there have been layoffs in high-tech but
still thinks that H-1B is needed to import nurses and other medical
staff - FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS! Those of you who are considering
changing careers from programming to nursing are jumping out of the
frying pan and into the fire (OUCH!).

Some specious arguments are made that H-2A visa holders are
agricultural workers who are more exploited H-1Bs. The reasons given
are that the visa holders "risk deportation if they engage in union
activity and can't change companies as skilled workers are allowed to
do." The Denver Post shouldn't be excused for
their wanton ignorance of the entire H visa program. H-1Bs have the
same restrictions on unionizing and moving to other employers as H-2Bs
or H-2As. (FYI - H-1A visas are for nurses)

It's never clear why the Denver Post mentioned the exploitation of
other H visas because the article then shifts to blasting Tancredo as
if he had something to do with the problem. Perhaps the writer had a
momentary blackout and lost his/her train of thought. Fortunately they
spared us more blather on the subject of exploitation. Hopefully
somebody there will go to www.ZaZona.com to get an education first.

There was a very disturbing statement towards the end of the article.
Tancredo said that he doesn't oppose guest-worker programs as long he
can be assured that they are truly temporary: "The guest-worker program
I want and the one we're operating (are not the same)." I have warned
people in the past that Tancredo doesn't necessarily oppose
guest-worker visas but the timing of this statement signaled an alarm.

Why the concern? Tancredo voted to give Bush Trade Promotion Authority
(TPA).
http://www.house.gov/tancredo/newsroom/press/2002/2002_08_06.htm

The Singapore and Chile Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA, will be
voted on in the House soon. That begged the question - is Tancredo
going to vote in favor of this immigration nightmare or against it? Is
he friend or foe?

That question will be answered in an upcoming newsletter - SO STAY
TUNED!

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E417%257E1525006,00.html

Keep guest-worker program

Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo may be making an issue
out of a non-issue, but his efforts could also be opening the lid wider
on the inconsistencies among U.S. foreign- worker programs.

Tancredo, a Littleton Republican, wants to do away with the H-1B visa
program, which allows educated foreign workers to live the United
States for about six years to work in professional fields.

Tancredo and those Americans who have lost high-tech jobs in this sour
economy say foreigners are taking jobs that should go to U.S. citizens.

But if no one does anything at all, this particular side of the issue
is likely to resolve itself. Experts believe that only about 90,000 of
such permits will be issued this year - about half the number available
- and if Congress takes no action, the cap will roll back to 65,000 in
September.

In addition, a shift has taken place in the technology industry. Many
employers say they're not supporting the H-1B visa program because it's
a pain. Like having a houseguest, employers have to fill out paperwork,
pick them up from the airport and find them housing, among other tasks.
And because so many people have been laid off from jobs, most employers
want to hire U.S. workers before looking elsewhere.

But the option should remain, because while there have been layoffs in
high-tech, there are other industries experiencing shortages. Take the
medical field, for example. At the rate that American workers are being
trained to fill nursing positions, it would take about 20 years to meet
the current demand.

We also should do what we can to prevent U.S. companies from sending
more jobs overseas.

So while the economy and growing anti-immigration attitudes will likely
slow the H-1B visa program, there is another foreign-worker program
that does not receive equal treatment.

The H-2A program is made up not of professionals, but agricultural
laborers. Such workers receive low-end wages that typically set by the
government, and workers are much more vulnerable to exploitation than
the H-1B employees. They risk deportation if they engage in union
activity and can't change companies as skilled workers are allowed to
do.

While there are contradictions in how foreign workers are treated in
the United States, Tancredo is adding to the confusion of our lopsided
visa programs and hypocritical immigration policy by pushing for H.R.
2688, a sparsely supported bill that would eliminate or drastically
reduce the number of H-1B visas.

It's not needed. But Tancredo says it is a way to ensure there is no
increase in the visas.

"The guest-worker program I want and the one we're operating (are not
the same)," he says.

Tancredo wants a program in which people return to their countries
after the work is completed and not one that encourages people to
attempt to stay permanently.

Obviously, this issue is more complicated than the rhetoric surrounding
it. Reform is needed, but ending H-1B is not the cure.

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Rob Sanchez is board member of NAEA - www.NAEA.US

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