Labor Movement Finds New Unity Behind Immigration Proposal

by doppelt | April 21, 2009 at 02:16 pm

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While the business lobby supported comprehensive immigration overhauls in the past, much of that support has hinged on the expansion of temporary guest-worker programs that bring immigrants into the country for a finite number of years, but do not necessarily offer them pathways to seek permanent residency or citizenship — the very population that would be most closely regulated by the new commission.

AFL-CIO and Change to Win came together in an unprecedented unified front to promote a jointly drafted proposal for comprehensive immigration legislation. Chief among the proposal’s provisions is the formation of an independent commission to manage the future levels of immigration based on economic indicators. Those appointed to such a commission would be charged with assessing the particular, targeted needs of the labor market, and adjusting visa quotas — of both the temporary and permanent variety — to respond to those needs.

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