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CIS’ Dubious Data Deflects Rational Immigration Debate
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), as well as the Heritage Foundation, have recently claimed that up to 300,000 construction jobs created by the economic stimulus bill could be filled by undocumented immigrants. CIS arrives at this scary number by using a job-creation formula designed for highway expenditures in 2007, and then tacking on an […]
Read MoreA Stimulus for Fear: Anti-Immigration Groups Raise Specter of Undocumented Construction Workers and Call for Ensnaring All U.S. Workers in
The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), as well as the Heritage Foundation, have recently claimed that up to 300,000 construction jobs created by the economic stimulus bill could be filled by undocumented immigrants. CIS arrives at this scary number by using a job-creation formula designed for highway expenditures in 2007, and then tacking on an estimate of the undocumented construction workforce from 2005—before the mass layoffs that have plagued the construction industry. Beyond the use of fuzzy math, CIS also suggests that the federal government’s “E-Verify” employment-verification pilot program could prevent undocumented immigrants from securing these new jobs. Yet numerous reports—from the Congressional Budget Office, the Social Security Administration’s Inspector General, and a Department of Homeland Security contractor, among others—indicate that rushing to implement E-Verify on a national scale would be a costly mistake that would ensnare U.S. citizens in database errors and wouldn’t actually stop undocumented immigrants from getting jobs. “Enforcement-only” attempts to stop undocumented immigration have failed repeatedly for more than 20 years. Only a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that allows exploited undocumented immigrants to become legal workers will fix our broken immigration system in a way that benefits all workers.
Read MoreWhat Can the GOP Learn from the Boy Scouts and M&Ms?
What have the Boy Scouts of America and the candy company that brings us M&M’s figured out that the GOP leadership has yet to come to terms with?–That Hispanics are the fastest growing share of the American population and they need a plan to engage them. This week NBC aired a series of stories on […]
Read MoreCIS Stokes Terrorism Fears to Promote Anti-Immigration Agenda
In yet another attempt to use the “t” word to promote its restrictionist agenda, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) has recently put out a video blurring the line between violent terrorists and hard-working immigrants who come to this country with hope — not hostility — towards the American Dream. The video, narrated by former […]
Read MoreNew Americans: A Springboard for California’s Economy
Earlier this year, the Washington Post reported that analysts across the country have been worried that the economic crisis has fueled an increase in hate groups and racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric. With its large immigrant population and current economic woes, California is in the belly of the beast. Yet, while many restrictionists and anti-immigrant groups are […]
Read MoreAnti-Immigration NumbersUSA Distorts Statistics for Dramatic Effect
In yet another attempt to derail a rational debate on U.S. immigration policy, the anti-immigration group NumbersUSA has claimed recently that the federal government is bringing more than 1.6 million “new foreign workers” into the United States each year even as the unemployment rate continues to rise. This dubious figure is also being advanced by […]
Read MoreImmigration Reform Gets Boost from a “Higher Power”
A broad interfaith coalition has begun a series of nationwide prayer vigils to raise awareness of the need for comprehensive immigration reform. “Prayer, Renewal and Action on Immigration” is the name of the campaign launched this week with help from U.S. Reps. Luis V. Gutierrez and Mike Honda. The coalition has also prepared a platform […]
Read MoreUNC Report Confirms Police Immigration Enforcement Misses Target
A new report from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina ACLU examines the 287(g) partnership between DHS and local police in North Carolina. The 287(g) program–in which DHS and local police enter into Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) allowing local police to act as immigration officers in the course of […]
Read MoreH-1B Restrictions Harm, Not Help Economy
Everyone agrees that we urgently need to fix the economy, but there are many different ideas about how to do it. In the latest Congressional debate over the stimulus bill, restricting immigration came up as a way to protect U.S. workers. While the final language of the bill is still in flux, what’s troubling is […]
Read MoreICE’s Costly Net Catches Non-Fugitives, Misses Violent Criminals
The Bush Administration’s increased interior enforcement measures were originally billed as necessary for national security and public safety. But it appears that very few terrorists or violent criminals have been caught. A new report by the Migration Policy Institute entitled “Collateral Damage: An Examination of ICE’s Fugitive Operations Program” finds that as their budget multiplies […]
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