Brad Bailey: The TT Interview
In June the Republican Party of Texas adopted what conservative proponents of immigration reform called a sensible policy on the issue, one that called for a national guest-worker program. That plank of the party's platform was championed by the “Texas Immigration Solution,” a Houston-based nonprofit that also calls for a secure border and alternatives to mass deportation.
GOP leaders say the policy is evidence to Hispanic voters and Texas business owners that Republicans are on the side of economic migrants and the employers who need them. It's in contrast to the national party's platform, which urges self-deportation ...
Comments (8)
JC DemocratofTejas
You stink and so does your plan.
Michelle Michon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
G.W. wanted a guest worker program. I find it odd for Republicans to mandate health insurance on anyone, including illegals. In with the insurance companies?
John Deike via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I find it odd that they continue to force immigration down our throats, when americans cant find jobs
Christine Lund via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Are you looking for a minimum wage job or less? Americans aren't competing for the majority of these jobs. We need real jobs that pay real money.
Samdavis
Wow, a middle-aged white Republican talking about solving immigration. How refreshing.
Meme Me
These guys have created a scheme whereby they are guaranteed a steady flow of illegal alien labor which is the lifeblood of their collective industries..How they were able to convince the Republican Party of Texas to turn on it's citizen voters who have been screaming for the enforcement of illegal immigration in Texas, is the real question. This kind of power and clout to control the TX Republican party is what has disenfranchised Republicans statewide and caused then to look for other sources that represent them, aka Tea Party.
David Spratt
Christine,
Many construction jobs USED to pay decent wages. The people who used to build houses, commercial buildings , roads and bridges did raise families on those wages without government assistance programs. The Illegal Aliens moved in and reduced the wages to the point many Americans cannot work in these fields and earn a decent living. The Illegal invasion held down wages in construction for the last 20 years and in the mid 2000's actually depressed them by 30% to 40%.
As someone having been in the field for 30 years I know this to be fact and anyone who is honest having similar experience would tell the same story. The only people in denial or disputing the facts or numbers involved are either profiting from the illegal invasion or have no experience and simply parrot the talking points of those people trying to convince the rest of us that illegals are wonderful , productive, valuable additions to the country.
I know the main talking point of those who support illegal immigration and the Illegals themselves ,,,, is that they are doing jobs Americans will not do. That may very well be true today,,, but it was not always so,,, and would not be so if illegals were sent back to where they came from.
Lance Johnson
Given the topic of immigrants in upcoming elections, an interesting new book that helps explain the role, struggles, and contributions of immigrants is "What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more.” It paints a revealing picture of America for those foreigners who will benefit from a better understanding. Endorsed by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it also informs Americans who want to learn more about the U.S. and how we compare to other countries around the world on many issues. As the book points out, immigrants are a major force in America as they are in other nations. Immigrants and the children they bear account for 60 percent of our nation’s population growth. Legal immigrants number 850,000 each year; undocumented (illegal) immigrants are estimated to be half that number. They come to improve their lives and create a foundation of success for their children to build upon, as did the author’s grandparents when they landed at Ellis Island in 1899 after losing 2 children to disease on a cramped cattle car-like sailing from Europe. Many bring their skills and a willingness to work hard to make their dreams a reality, something our founders did four hundred years ago. In describing America, chapter after chapter identifies “foreigners” who became successful in the US and have contributed to our society. However, most struggle in their efforts and need guidance and a helping hand. www.AmericaAtoZ.com