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Rules for Addressing Amnesty

In the News - Friday, March 22, 2013

Republicans are getting a lot of unsolicited advice about how to recover from last year's defeat, and most of it is either ignorant or coming from people who don't have Republican party victories in their game plan. One of the worst of these bits of advice is that Republicans should join a bipartisan push for immigration amnesty.

Amnesty advocates shrink from using the word amnesty and try hard to shroud their message in deceptive words. So let's understand their vocabulary: reform, comprehensive, earned legal status and path to citizenship are all code words for amnesty.

By Phyllis Schlafly in Townhall

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2998486/posts

How H-1B Visas Are Screwing Tech Workers

In the News - Friday, February 22, 2013

A few years ago, the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer informed hundreds of tech workers in its Connecticut R&D facilities that they'd soon be laid off. Before getting their final paychecks, however, they'd need to train their replacements: guest workers from India who'd come to the United States on H-1B visas. "It's a very, very stressful work environment," one soon-to-be-axed worker told Connecticut's The Day newspaper. "I haven't been able to sleep in weeks."

By Josh Harkinson in Mother Jones

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/silicon-valley-h1b-visas-hurt-tech-workers

Immigration Reform Issue: The Effect on the Budget

In the News - Tuesday, February 12, 2013

It’s hard to say with precision what impact offering citizenship would have on the budget, but the chances are good that it would cost the government money. Half to three-quarters of illegal immigrants pay taxes, according to studies reviewed in a 2007 report by the Congressional Budget Office. And they are relatively inexpensive, compared with Americans of similar incomes. Their children can attend public schools at government expense — putting a burden on state and local budgets. But they are barred from receiving federal benefits like the earned-income tax credit, food stamps and Medicaid. Only their American-born children can get those.

By Eduardo Porter - New York Times

It’s hard to say with precision what impact offering citizenship would have on the budget, but the chances are good that it would cost the government money. Half to three-quarters of illegal immigrants pay taxes, according to studies reviewed in a 2007 report by the Congressional Budget Office. And they are relatively inexpensive, compared with Americans of similar incomes. Their children can attend public schools at government expense — putting a burden on state and local budgets. But they are barred from receiving federal benefits like the earned-income tax credit, food stamps and Medicaid. Only their American-born children can get those. Government revenue might not change much with legalization. Most illegal immigrants who don’t pay taxes probably work in the cash economy — as nannies or gardeners — where tax compliance among citizens is low. Costs, of course, would increase. Once they became citizens, immigrants would be entitled to the same array of government benefits as other Americans. For Social Security and Medicare alone, offering citizenship to illegal immigrants would mean losing a subsidy worth several billion dollars a year in payroll taxes from immigrants who can’t collect benefits in old age.

By Eduardo Porter - New York Times

Show More http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/business/immigration-reform-issue-the-effect-on-the-budget.html?ref=immigrationandemigration&_r=0

Reports: Federal government paid $120M in Medicare services for prisoners, illegal immigrants

In the News - Thursday, January 24, 2013

Under federal law, Medicare generally does not pay for services for either group of patients. But the program was billed for more than $33 million in inmate care and more than $91 million for illegal immigrant care over that period, according to the reports from the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general.

By KELLI KENNEDY Associated Press

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/d14d2244a1c0494a88aeb5a14dc1131a/US--Medicare-Fraud-Paying-For-Prisoners

Cut immigration or be like US, visiting lobbyist warns

In the News - Thursday, January 17, 2013

A leading United States population lobbyist has questioned why Australia seems intent on copying the worst mistakes of his own country.

Roy Beck, the executive director of powerful lobby group NumbersUSA, which has 1.4 million members, has visited the Sunshine Coast as part of an Australian visit which has included talks with politicians and advocates of lower immigration in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.

By Bill Hoffman in the Sunshine Coast Daily

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/cut-immigration-like-usa-Roy-Beck-NumbersUSA/1720308/

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa seeks expansion of H-1B visa programme

In the News - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Seeking comprehensive immigration reforms, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has proposed a six-point formula, including expanding the H-1B visa programme popular among Indian professionals, to fix the "broken immigration system" of the US.

"A pathway to legal permanent residency and citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants must be at the core of reform," Villaraigosa told reporters at the National Press Club here yesterday, describing his vision for a comprehensive immigration reform.

By The Indian Express

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/la-mayor-antonio-villaraigosa-seeks-expansion-of-h1b-visa-programme/1059645/1

U.S. May Allow H1B Spouses to Work During Green Card Wait

In the News - Thursday, January 10, 2013

In a rare move that flies in the face of anti-immigrant rhetoric in some corners of the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security has announced that it was proposing to provide employment authorization to H-4 visa holders, who are spouse-dependents of principal H-1B “non-immigrant” visa holders.

By Narayan Lakshman

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-may-allow-h1b-spouses-to-work-during-green-card-wait/article4295300.ece

India Losing its Skilled Talent to U.S.

In the News - Monday, January 7, 2013

The U.S. doesn’t just attract students and now many more Indians are moving to the U.S. for jobs. Several skilled Indian workers moved to the U.S. in 2012 for employment, said reports from U.S. Embassy in Delhi.

It was noted that more Indian nationals were employed in the U.S. in 2012 than in 2011, reported Kenneth Rapoza for Forbes. It was also seen that H-1B acceptances increased 15 percent to around 130,000 visas. The number was 114,000 in 2011. H-1B visas are used greatly by Indian companies for their employees traveling to the U.S.

In Silicon India News

http://www.siliconindia.com/news/general/India-Losing-its-Skilled-Talent-to-US-nid-137875-cid-1.html

In suburbs of L.A., a cottage industry of birth tourism

In the News - Monday, January 7, 2013

USA Baby Care's website makes no attempt to hide why the company's clients travel to Southern California from China and Taiwan. It's to give birth to an American baby.

"Congratulations! Arriving in the U.S. means you've already given your child a surefire ticket for winning the race," the site says in Chinese. "We guarantee that each baby can obtain a U.S. passport and related documents."

That passport is just the beginning of a journey that will lead some of the children back to the United States to take advantage of free public schools and low-interest student loans, as the website notes. The whole family may eventually get in on the act, since parents may be able to piggyback on the child's citizenship and apply for a green card when the child turns 21.

By Cindy Chang in the Loa Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-birthing-centers-20130104,0,2523789.story

Family Chain Migration to Flood U.S.

In the News - Monday, December 17, 2012

The U.S. Census forecasts the population of the U.S. will grow by more than 100 million by the year 2060, and analysts say much of that growth will be from “family chain migration,” which is family members following after one member when he or she makes the move.

Ira Mehlman, the media director for Federations of Americans for Immigration Reform, told WND that the numbers are dire.

“There is no need for that magnitude of population growth in the United States today. … We are already dealing with [significant] issues on limited resources,” he said. “We are going through a post-industrial era here in the United States, the nature of what it takes to succeed … is vastly different than it was a century ago.”

By Taylor Rose in WND

http://www.wnd.com/2012/12/family-chain-migration-to-flood-u-s/

Polls

Americans Prefer Fewer Guest Workers

Prefer Lower Numbers Protect Jobs and Wages - Monday, July 22, 2013

According to a poll conducted by the National Journal, the majority of Americans prefer fewer high-tech and construction guest workers. The poll found that 65% of Republicans, 53% of Democrats, and 53% of Independents want fewer high-tech guest workers. It also found that 71% of Republicans, 60% of Democrats, and 58% of Independents want fewer construction guest workers.

National Journal

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congressional-connection/infographics/unwanted-guest-workers-20130620

Sixty-six percent of Americans Oppose Easy Path to Citizenship

Oppose Amnesty - Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Sixty-six percent of Americans don't want the federal government to make it easier for illegal aliens to earn a citizenship. Only 33% say that the United States should make it easier for illegal aliens to earn citizenship. the majority of both Democrats and Republicans say they oppose making citizenship easier.

Fifty-two percent of Americans, however, say they are at least somewhat sympathetic for illegal aliens and their families. But that number is down from 57% when the same question was asked in May 2006 and from 70% in April 2006.

CNN Poll

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/12/cnn-poll-two-thirds-dont-want-to-ease-path-to-citizenship-for-illegal-immigrants/?fbid=qdoOg2K-PUh

Half of Americans Believe Immigration Should be Reduced

Prefer Lower Numbers - Friday, August 7, 2009

A Gallup poll released on August 5, 2009 shows that 50% of all Americans believe that immigration should be reduced.  This number is 11 points higher than the figure from an identical poll conducted last year.  Only 14% of Americans say immigration should be increased (down from 18%) and 32% say immigration levels should remain the same (down from 39%).

5 August 2009, Gallup

http://www.gallup.com/poll/122057/Americans-Return-Tougher-Immigration-Stance.aspx

Most Arizona Voters Put Immigration Over Health Care as More Important Reform Goal

Prefer Lower Numbers Oppose Amnesty Support Tougher Enforcement Oppose Rewards for Illegal Migration - Monday, July 27, 2009

Fifty-one percent of Arizona voters say it is more important for Congress to pass immigration reform than health care reform.

By a 65% to 20% margin, Arizona voters believe enforcing the borders is more important than legalizing the status of those already living here. Half of the state’s voters (50%) think it is possible to put an end to illegal immigration, while 34% do not.

Rasmussen Reports, 27 July 2009

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_state_surveys/arizona/most_arizona_voters_put_immigration_over_health_care_as_more_important_reform_goal

Poll Reveals Progressives Support Lower Immigration Numbers

Prefer Lower Numbers Oppose Amnesty - Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Leah Durant, the Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform, will appear on Lou Dobbs on CNN on Tuesday night to explain new poll numbers showing that liberals are concerned about rising population numbers due to increased immigration. The poll was conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC in April.

The poll revealed:
  • Sixty seven percent of liberals and progressives felt the level of population growth caused by immigration negatively impacts the quality of life in the United States.
  • Fifty eight percent felt that the current levels of immigration are harmful to the environment.
  • Sixty three percent said that current levels of immigration hurts job prospects for American workers.

Progressives for Immigration Reform

Leah Durant, the Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform, will appear on Lou Dobbs on CNN on Tuesday night to explain new poll numbers showing that liberals are concerned about rising population numbers due to increased immigration. The poll was conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC in April.

The poll revealed:

  • Sixty seven percent of liberals and progressives felt the level of population growth caused by immigration negatively impacts the quality of life in the United States.
  • Fifty eight percent felt that the current levels of immigration are harmful to the environment.
  • Sixty three percent said that current levels of immigration hurts job prospects for American workers.
  • With regard to undocumented workers already here, the poll revealed that self-identified liberals are split over whether illegal immigrants should be offered an amnesty. Fifty three percent were in support of a pathway to citizenship and forty five percent were opposed.

Progressives for Immigration Reform

Show More http://www.progressivesforimmigrationreform.org/2009/06/23/survey-of-600-progressives-and-liberals/

Rasmussen Poll Shows 66% of Likely Voters Believe it is Important to Reduce Illegal Immigration

Oppose Amnesty Support Tougher Enforcement Oppose Rewards for Illegal Migration Opinion Elites vs. Public - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

A new Rasmussen poll shows that 66% of likely voters believe that the government should improve border enforcement and reduce illegal immigration.  However, only 32% of America's "Political Class" agree.

The poll also shows that 77% of likely voters believe that illegal aliens should not be able to receive driver's licenses and 73% of Americans believe that police officers should automatically check to see if someone is in this country legally when that person is pulled over for a traffic violation. 

Rasmussen Reports, 14 April 2009

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics2/on_immigration_large_gap_remains_between_mainstream_america_and_political_class

Gannett Poll Finds NJ Residents Oppose Rewards for Illegal Aliens

Oppose Rewards for Illegal Migration - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Sixty-two percent of state residents oppose granting illegal immigrants some type of limited driver's license, according to a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll.

Only 32 percent said children of illegal immigrants deserved in-state tuition rates, while 20 percent favored the lower rates for illegal immigrants themselves.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090324/NEWS01/903240343/1006/

73% Support Police Checking Immigration Status During Traffic Violations

Support Tougher Enforcement - Thursday, March 19, 2009

Seventy-three percent (73%) of U.S. voters believe that a police officer should automatically check to see if someone is in this country legally when the officer pulls that person over for a traffic violation. Only 21% disagree, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of voters also say that if law enforcement officers know of places where immigrants gather to find work, they should sometimes conduct surprise raids to identify and deport illegal immigrants. Twenty-four percent (24%) oppose surprise raids.

Rasmussen Reports

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics2/73_say_cops_should_check_immigration_status_during_traffic_stops

Immigration Ranks 10th in Priorities

Support Tougher Enforcement - Monday, January 19, 2009

In a Washington Post/ABC Poll released just before Barack Obama's inaguration, respondents ranked immigration No. 10 on a list of priorities for the administration. The economy, Iraq War, foreign policy and education were all ranked ahead of immigration. Twenty-one percent said that it was the highest priority, 48 percent said it was high priority, while 29 percent said it was low priority.

Washington Post/ABC Poll - January 19

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/postpoll_011709.html

Transatlantic Trends: Immigration

Protect Jobs and Wages Support Tougher Enforcement - Tuesday, November 18, 2008

When asked about what governments should do to address illegal immigration, 83% of respondents supported stronger border controls, 74% supported cracking down on employers, and 68% supported deportation.

The German Marshall Fund of the United States, 2008

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Stats

Welfare Benefits to Illegal Aliens in Los Angeles County in 2010

Stats - Friday, January 21, 2011

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Remittances

Stats - Wednesday, December 2, 2009

$1.69 billion in October 2009, nearly $1 billion less than October 2008. (SOURCE: Largest monthly drop in October since records began in 1996/The Associated Press, Dec. 1, 2009)