Senator Richard C. Shelby

Immigration

On January 7, 2004, President Bush proposed a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. The program would be open to new foreign workers and to the undocumented men and women currently employed in the United States.

The President's proposal would allow those individuals currently residing in the United States and working illegally to apply for temporary worker status. They would be granted legal status with the ability to apply for a green card, which permits holders to apply for citizenship after five years. However, temporary workers would be required to either return to their home countries at the end of three years or apply for renewal of their legal status.

I am extremely concerned about the details of President Bush's plan. I believe that it diminishes the notion of citizenship and undermines the foundation of law on which our country is built. I have long believed that our nation must have strong controls on the continual influx of immigrants. This proposal rewards those who have broken the laws to get to this country by allowing them to stay. In addition to being wrong in principle, the plan should also offend the legal immigrants who have stood in line and played by the rules to enter this country, as well as those still waiting to legally enter.

We must not forget that ours' is a nation of immigrants. Indeed, much of this country's greatness, its strength historically, is due to the unique, diverse, and rich mix of its social makeup. However, we must not forget that those immigrants who have made our country so great have done so by coming here legally. I believe that we must strive for a rational and equitable immigration policy that takes into account the economic and social needs of our country rather than establishing a policy which may encourage further illegal immigration.

The time has come for us to separate our nostalgia for immigration from today's harsher realities. Today, our national interests and the quality of life of many U.S. citizens is being undermined by excessive immigration and could be further exacerbated by the President's proposal. Current demands on social, medical and welfare services throughout the states already exceed capacity and allowing additional individuals to enter the system could have a detrimental effect on their ability to provide these services.

Accordingly, I will give President Bush's proposal careful scrutiny when it comes before the Senate for consideration.

Congressional Research Service Issues Briefs

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For more information on this issue, please view the following CRS report:

Immigration: Policy Considerations Relate to Guest Worker Programs.