Immigration: Recognize the Economic Realities

Kudos for your Dec. 27 editorial, “Uprooting Illegal Hiring.� A few more of these rifle-shot indictments of major companies like Tyson Foods could do serious and permanent damage to these shameful practices of illegal hiring.

The Times was right on with its comment, “The best way to keep businesses from cheating in their hiring practices is for Mexico and the United States to work out immigration reforms that recognize both nations’ economic and social realities.� California’s economic realities reflect the highest job loss figures since 1992. So when we get into discussions with Mexico about “guest workers,� we should ensure that such programs are benchmarked by how many workers are needed and what kinds of skills and other qualifications they should bring with them.

These programs must match specific jobs with specific people who are granted entry for specific and limited periods of time. There must be equally specific conditions for economic downturns. And before that happens, there must be verifiable proof of the unavailability of American labor to perform these jobs.

It’s a myth that Americans won’t do hard labor. The truth is that Americans won’t live four or five families in a garage and suffer similar indignities just to sell their labor at inhuman levels. So working conditions and wages must also be improved to first attract low-skilled Americans and then fairly compensate all workers, local and guest.

Michael Scott

Glendora

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How on Earth can The Times say, “Attacking illegal hiring at the source will prove far more effective than simply rounding up and deporting those who come north to pluck and package chickens�? Why hasn’t The Times spoken out about the day labor centers set up by the city of Los Angeles to facilitate the same thing? This editorial cognitive dissonance is only part of the fallout from the lawlessness that flows from failure to enforce our immigration laws.

Glenn Spencer

President, American Patrol

Sherman Oaks