Perspectives on immigration reform

Much has been written since President Bush floated his immigration reform proposals last month. Here are two of the better pieces I have read recently.

1) Business Week: “This Plan May Not Get a Green Card”

This article discusses: the benefits to employers of the proposed reform; economic consequences of bringing illegal residents into the mainstream — good and bad; practical difficulties of implementation and enforcement, including challenges of determining when a job is not likely to be filled by an American; and the political conflicts involved.

2) AP (Adam Geller): “Guest-worker proposal draws business support” (published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

This article discusses: real-life examples of the need for foreign workers for jobs Americans won’t take; the Essential Workers Immigration Coalition; and objections of labor leaders and others.

In running down (Googling) the Essential Workers Immigration Coalition, I found this law firm position paper: “Essential Workers Help our Economy”