RUTGERS MODEL CONGRESS State of Colorado-Republican Party Department of Education and Labor Labor and Immigration Liane Emerson

CHURCHILL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

With the influx of foreign workers into the United States, it is crucial that immigration and labor sectors are stable enough to sustain within the American agriculture industry. In the past, the United States has depended on the foreign workforce in the agriculture industry; however these foreign employees were discriminated against and withheld political rights guaranteed to American citizens. As a result, the workers were poorly treated and subjected to indentured servitude. Thus, concern over Colorados immigration and labor policies has prompted reforms at the state and federal level. The issues that need to be addressed are the equal employment opportunities and the civil rights in employment, as well as the relationships between employers and employees. Colorado, the countrys third fastest growing state, has experienced a population growth of 31 percent between 1990 and 2000, and is now home to 4.3 million people. In 1990, immigrants in Colorado accounted for approximately 25 percent of the state's added growth (Immigration to Colorado 1). Colorado thrives on the immigrant labor force that works mainly in the agricultural and labor fields. Employers hire immigrants to come into the United States and perform the strenuous labor that most Americans would never dream to perform. This causes issues surrounding the mistreatment of immigrants. When farmers hire immigrants to come to the country, some immigrants complain that they dont get the rights of American workers. The USCIS estimates that 144,000 illegal immigrants resided in Colorado as of 2000, indicating a rise of 122 percent (Immigration to Colorado 1). With the tenth largest illegal alien population in the United States, Colorado continues to draw in undocumented immigrants to the state. To work towards the accomplishment of providing the same rights for every employee, reforms need to be in place.

Colorado takes pride in this states agricultural achievements as well as its diversity. The problem with employees hiring immigrants as workers is the threat that some of these workers may be illegal. Immigrant workers require visas to be able to work in the United States, but it can take years to be granted a visa. First, employers must seek certification through the Department of Labor. Once the application is certified, the employer must petition the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services for a visa. Approval by the Department of Labor does not guarantee a visa issuance. Applicants must also establish that they are admissible to the U.S. under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Hiring 1). This process is very lengthy and expensive, making it difficult to enforce. This could lead to employers illegally bringing in immigrants, and paying them at lower wages. Furthermore, there is a disparity between both the agriculture farms affected by immigrant labor laws, and the majority of the population, in accord of stricter immigration restrictions in Colorado. While farmers are in support of the lax immigration laws, citizens are in support in cutting down on illegal immigration. Farmers are able to get cheap labor, and maximize profits due to the minimization of salary expenses. As the state with the tenth largest alien population in the United States, Colorado adheres to the strict policies of its citizens. Because the majority of the population has supported an enforcement of immigration laws, Colorado has collected more than $20 million annually, which is forwarded to the federal government and spent on enforcing border patrol (US Immigration 2). According to immigration statistics, between 1990 to 2000 Colorado experienced a growth of immigrants totaling 227,000, bringing the state's population of foreign-born residents to 370,000, and Colorados population will grow by 24% percent between 2000-2025 (US Immigration 2). A direct result of an increase in illegal workers is an increase in pollution and a decrease of housing availability. This drives the housing market up, and makes affordable housing unviable. As a result, there needs to be a

comprehensive solution satisfying both the needs of the agriculture industry and general public in Colorado. As a republican representative from Colorado, it is imperative that we take immediate action as it is a national security issue. In order to prevent terrorism, drug rings, and criminals from entering the United States, it is necessary to track people entering and exiting the United States. By completing the border fence between the United States and Mexico and giving additional funding and resources to border agents, Americas borders can be secured. In addition, the Republican platform backs a strict enforcement policy. The platform calls for immigration enforcement at places of employment, including prosecution for using false security numbers; limiting the rights of aliens in deportation proceedings; tracking down aliens who overstay their visas; and denying federal funds to sanctuary cities (Republican 2). It is crucial that illegal immigrants should not be subject to legalization or national rights such as social security benefits and amnesty programs. Supporting amnesty programs through immigrants who violate immigration laws is counter-intuitive. All immigrants should follow the law and wait their turn to become American citizens. Following these ordered steps can ensure that both Colorado and the United States itself are protected on a national tier. In the end, the United States should require the equal pay of immigrant workers and American workers. The process should also be made quicker and easier, so employers wouldnt be driven to bring in employees illegally. Immigrants take very strenuous and exhausting jobs in the agricultural field and without their work, not only will Colorados economy fall, but the United States as well (Burger 1). By ensuring civil rights are respected, more jobs become available for American workers because they do not have to compete with a person that will do the same job for less than minimum wage (Light and Bhanchu 63). During the end of 2002, the

unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, resulting from layoffs of more than 60,000 American workers. Furthermore, the nation should also be implementing strict border control so that each person who enters the United States, enters it legally. The U.S. admits more legal immigrants than all of the countries of the world admit, combined. Massive illegal immigration is an insult to America's generous immigration policy. Most of the citizens of Colorado support stricter immigration laws as well. As Gov. Lamm has noted, attrition will create self-deportation and help bring illegal immigration to manageable levels (CAIR 1). If employers need to hire immigrants, they need to go through all the steps and required checkpoints. With the increase of foreign workers in the United States, it is crucial that immigration and labor sectors are stable enough to sustain within the American agriculture industry. Concern over Colorados immigration and labor policies has prompted reforms at the state and federal level. I strongly urge the government to set stronger defenses along the border so less illegal immigrants can enter the United States. Tax payers also have to pay for immigrants healthcare, medical needs, and benefits. Its time to say, enough is enough! No longer will America be trampled on, no longer will our generosity be insulted! We need to ensure the safety of our citizens first, and supporting illegal immigration is not the way to do it.

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Republican VS. Democrat: Platforms on Immigration. Asian Journal. N.p., 1 Oct. 2008. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. <http://www.asianjournal.com/immigration/atty-robert-reeves/174republican-vs-democrat-platforms-on-immigration-.html>. Singleton, Laurel, and Jackie Johnson. The New Coloradans: Immigration in Colorado. The Center for Education in Law and Democracy. The Piton Foundation, 2006. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.piton.org/Documents/The%20New%20Coloradans%20HS%2 0final%2009%2006.pdf>. The Colorado Illegal-Immigration Crisis: Colorado Solutions. Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. <http://www.cairco.org/events/ can_presentation_2005oct22.html>.