Imperious Entertainment

So, here is a proposal: legalize immigration. Please allow me a moment to explain. Immigrants do depress wages, however, it is not because they will work for lower than the prevailing wage. This may be the case for recent arrivals, however, it persists because this sector of the population is constantly under the threat of deportation. They cannot organize for higher wages because their bosses will threaten to kick them out of the country. It is precisely this inability to organize that not only depresses the wages of the undocumented, but also keeps the wages of low-income Black folx down.

Now, it is easy to blame the politically disenfranchised as many commentators will. However, this pits Black versus Brown and solidifies the power of those who are truly responsible for the keeping our people’s wages low. The business owners who are exploiting this system are the true enemies. Besides, it’s not the undocumented who close factories and would rather employ customer service representatives in India. It’s not the undocumented who ship manufacturing jobs overseas.



Now, there are those who say if there were no immigrants in the country that would solve the problem. Let’s examine that a little more closely. There are an estimated 12 million undocumented people currently residing in the United States. To force them out of the country would require a public investment that would make the Iraq war look like loose change. On top of that, there would have to be further public investment in the border patrol as the economic conditions south of the border keep desperate folx making the trek north despite increased enforcement. This kind of reallocation of resources means a decrease in funding of public services. Here’s the kicker – that would most adversely affect poor folx, Brown folx, and Black folx.

Comments (5)

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written by Jackrabbit Jenkins , October 09, 2007

Well, we do need these workers and the principles upon which this country was based does welcome them. I am not opposed to those that make it over here illegally because I would do the same if I were in their shoes. However, outright legalization of immigration would cause a surge of people this country cannot handle in many respects.

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written by andrealuquetta , October 09, 2007

legalization of those already here, coupled with getting rid of the almost impossible to overcome barriers to legal immigration (like rules that favor the highly educated, high earning or already wealthy professionals but bar almost everyone else) would allow immigrants to fight ALONGSIDE black, asian and other oppressed peoples for higher wages and better social safety nets.

remember that the VERY FIRST things Bush did after Katrina was 1) suspend affirmative action requirements for federal contractors, and 2) suspend Davis Bacon (which requires that federal contractors pay competitive wages). Coupled with turning a blind eye to federal contractors and subcontractors hiring undocumented workers (often hiring them as day laborers, or "housing" them in the backs of 18-wheelers), THIS is what pit Black survivors against recruited undocumented workers. For an analysis of the way the Bush administration and contractors created this mess (often intentionally), see the report "And Injustice For All" available at http://www.advancementproject.org/reports/workersreport.pdf

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written by Ocelot , October 11, 2007

What is up with the whack ass title? "Legalize it"? Reminds me of drugs. Legalize immigration? It is already legalized. The author should be more careful in the word structure and use of it. This article tells me nothing new and to me is a slap to immigrants due to the inclusion of the Cesar Chavez image. Chavez instructed UFW members to call INS to report undocumented workers to have them deported. The UFW would also discourage people from immigrating under the direction of Chavez. The article blew it. Andrea's points are powerful.

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written by Running , October 11, 2007

Though you include a discussion of Chavez and his 180 turn, it is not the strongest point. The writer Ocelot overreacted to the Chavez image. I would argue that the damage done by leaders as much more dangerous than the current leadership of communities of color.

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written by Alvin Grimes , October 11, 2007

There is a legal form of immigration in this country and there is an illegal form. What you are asking for is a recalibration of this nation's laws without considering its effects. A theory of punishing criminal activity is that the examples will deter future potential criminals from committing the same act. If you remove the punishment, then you remove the deterrence and you invite a flood of criminals who can't be punished. The effect being that thousands more will be emboldened to make that unlawful journey into this country, and states and cities will be forced to accomodate. I am not here trying to champion the law, but there are some instances where it makes sense.

Also, I think you overstate the possibility of a Black/Brown unity. I'm from Los Angeles, and believe me, illegal immigrants do not come here with the interest of Blacks on their list of prioroties. And frankly, why should they? Why should Blacks recirprocate? Your oversimpllification of the situation makes it easy to convey the notion that Blacks and Browns should stick to together to face a common enemy, but the actual situation is far more complex than you state and in many cases, it makes no sense for a Black/Brown alliance. Peace, I am for, but an alliance isn't needed--especially when Blacks can barely manage to maintain peace amongst themselves.

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