what the fuss?
A major talk of the town here recently is the proposed immigration reform bill which actually collapsed and is now pending approval or complete death. With some thousand of Filipinos who are staying here illegally, the proposed bill, once approved, would understandably be a welcome respite since it would pave the way for their re-existence so to speak, and to U.S. citizenship eventually.
By way of background, there are three major categories of illegal immigrants who are entitled to some form of relief under the senate agreement (as reported by Rachel L. Swarns and John Holusha in NY Times published on 4/7/06). First, illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for five years or more (about 7 million people) would eventually be granted citizenship if they remained employed, had background checks, paid fines and back taxes, and learned English. Second, illegal immigrants who have lived in the US for two to five years (about 3 million), would have to travel to a United States border crossing and apply for a temporary work visa. They would be eligible for permanent residency and citizenship over time, but they would have to wait several years longer for it. Finally, illegal immigrants who have been here less than two years (about 1 million) would be required to leave the country altogether. They could apply for spots in the temporary worker program, but they would not be guaranteed positions. Thus, not all persons who are here now and who have lost their respective immigration statuses are qualified for a relief, if and when the bill gets approved.
Of course, the proposal has been the subject of intense debates. Conservatives view it as "amnesty to lawbreakers" instead of instigating tighter border controls and punishment for illegal immigrants. Some call it "the browning of America". Some expressed concern on the possibility of eventually turning America into a "culturally bifurcated Anglo-Hispanic society with two national languages" (since most of the illegal immigrants are reportedly Hispanics). On the other end are the immigration advocates, mostly Hispanics (understandably), who rally all over the U.S. to support the passage of the bill. Their battle cry centers on the inter-related themes such as "campaign for immigrants' dignity", "being allowed to live in a humane society", "we have dreams too", etc. We now see illegal immigrants boldly asserting themselves. They don't seem to worry about being seen in public protests despite their illegal status. Most of them rest on the defense that they are not criminals.
Anyway, let's go back to Filipinos, since I haven't interviewed any other nationality to form a conclusion on their approach on this issue. Thus far, hearing from Filipinos who are now either permanent legal residents or citizens here, they seem to follow the conservatives in the belief that it's an easy way out for lawbreakers. I've actually heard people saying that it's unfair for them who went through the tedious and long process of obtaining their legal status (as citizens or legal permanent residents). That even if they are aware that most Filipinos are here for the so-called "american dream", it's such an all-too-easy way out for these lawbreakers. In short, for this group of fellows (mostly nurses), they are not in favor of the proposal.
Of course, I know that their views on this matter do not represent that of the entire Filipino population here (I guess I'd have to check on the PCGNY website if there's any official statement on this). But to hear those views somehow surprises and hurts me at the same time. Because remembering the struggles of several of these illegal migrants whom I know, it's easy to retort that it's not as if they did not suffer enough by being second (or maybe third class citizens), or worse, practically non-existent here! I understand--those without valid immigration status got choices too and they opted to take the risk. But there are so many factors involved, is all I am saying. For instance, nurses may not be aware that they take so much visas, leaving so few slots for all other professions combined. And they are exempt from labor certification that they can immediately file for immigrant application. Ture, because there is a demand for them now. But if they complain that they've gone through a series of exams, other professionals on the other hand face a tough evaluation by the Department of Labor, before they could get to file an immigrant petition. See? It's like they have subsidies, while the rest only got their labor power that is paid cheaply.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not anti-nurses at all. What I really want to say is that at the end of the day, all aliens have their respective battles to face by choosing to stay here. Let's just say that I'm generally for the good of all concerned. Duh, too damn vague and simplistic when in fact the issue calls for a thorough re-examination of the implications of the proposal on the stakeholders (cf. from the policy-making/decision-making theory I remember in my Public Ad days). Hmmm...it is useful to follow a historical materialism perspective, where the determining power of capital is at the forefront. Hence, migration is deeply entwined with economic necessity. There is undeniably a market for cheap labor. For Mexicans for instance who in their country live on less than $5 a day, as is true for most Filipinos, working in the US translates to a relatively better income. And, from the American employers' end they would obviously prefer hiring these undocumented aliens (especially the household staff categories)because they are paid relatively cheaper. So that it's not too easy to throw them all out of the US. Because they've got market here, and their services are actually entrenched in American economy somehow. But...I don't want to pursue anymore political-economic assessments.
I wish I could have more time to examine this exodus from a sociological perspective. Intuitively, I know that there is so much drama involved. I've been meaning to write about the stories of people I met here. I've been intending to make it one of my accomplishments in being here before leaving...
