New law to speed visas for farm workers
Ritter signs bill creating program to cut red tape
By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Friday, June 6, 2008
Gov. Bill Ritter signed a bill this week aimed at expediting visas for seasonal farm workers who help pick the state's fruit and vegetable crops each year.
The new law, signed Thursday, creates a five-year test program that will allow the state to work with a private company to cut through the red tape involved in obtaining so-called H2A visas for foreign agricultural workers.
"Many operators - whether they're farmers or peach growers - are having a tremendous problem getting workers to work in their fields," said Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, the bill's main sponsor. "The farmers have been crying for help."
The program starts in January and initially affects 1,000 workers.
It will allow for 1,000 more workers each year until it reaches 5,000.
Farmers say finding enough workers has become more difficult since the state passed laws cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers. Each year, agricultural businesses require about 10,000 seasonal workers.
"This was an attempt by the legislature to recognize the importance of agriculture and of immigrant labor," said Mark Harris, co-owner of Grand Valley Hybrids in Grand Junction.
Harris, who testified on behalf of the legislation, said he moved much of his company's corn seed production out of the state after lawmakers cracked down on undocumented workers.
He described the visa program as too cumbersome for his own business because "we needed a lot of people for a very brief period."
Harris and others, including immigrant rights advocates, remain critical of the H2A program, calling it not only dysfunctional but ripe for abuses by unscrupulous employers.
"It's basically meeting the needs of the industries that are hiring these guys without offering the workers any protection," said Tom Acker, co-coordinator for an advocacy group called Western Colorado Justice. "If they're in a situation where they're not being treated fairly, they cannot go and hire out to another farmer. You're stuck."
Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, has been a vocal opponent of the state-level H2A pilot program for other reasons. In recent House debate, he expressed concern that temporary workers will overstay their visas and add to the number of undocumented workers in the state.
But the Bell Policy Center's Rich Jones said immigrants who fail to return to their home countries tend to be in year- round jobs, not the summer-length positions in the agricultural industry.
Farmers are among the many employers who complain they can't find enough U.S. workers to fill temporary openings.
"I think you can make an argument that if you were paying more money you may in fact entice some people to take those jobs," Jones said. "But it's a very hard sell even if you raise the pay significantly."
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June 7, 2008
6:04 a.m.
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Rangerjoe1 writes:
We need more SLAVES Ritters. I want to buy that Lexus pick-up truck. I guess anyone that wants to start any kind of business just crys Americans won't do those jobs and the politicians will vote for slaves. So Ritter, what will the AMERICAN WORKING CLASS DO now that you have sold them out for twenty pieces of silver. Pass a law that No American company can discriminate against any American worker because he doesn't have a degree.
I want to be a doctor, or better yet I want to be a teacher, I did have a good paying construction business, sorry that I wanted to be paid market value for my work, but that would be rascist right. So Ritter what about the people that built Colorado, What are you going to do for Colorados real working class?
June 7, 2008
6:47 a.m.
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SockRayBlue writes:
California is having a problem with home made cheese sold on the streets by vendors. An ancient bacteria that is still alive and doing well has been reintroduced from Mexico to the west Coast.
Tomatoes are off the shelves because of salmonella. The envisioned "World Economy" dreamed up by politicians is causing quite a few pathogens to get into our food supply. If it isn't freighted into this country then it is brought in via the gastrointestinal tract of a "guest worker". I wonder how many of these innocuous looking turds are laying in the sandy fields of Rocky Ford.
June 7, 2008
6:58 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Are they going to make them go home if they end up getting someone pregnant or if they hire a woman that gets pregnant? Technically she will be carrying an American citizen, right? Who pays for their housing? Who overseas them and makes sure they don't disappear? Who makes sure they are not driving? If the farms do not pay enough for them to live, who pays for food and housing? Who pays for their medical? Who pays for their travel expenses?
There was just a report out that said there are many hispanics out of work because of the construction slowdown. If they are here to work why wouldn't the farmers reachout to them and hire them? Probably because of the slave wages?
Once again we see a government program that more than likely cost the taxpayers in one way or another. I could see Ritter allowing more immigrants to come here and then allowing them to slip out the back door. Then when they commit crimes allowing them to again slip out the back door with an agricultural trespass because he doesn't want to be embarassed by his failure to protect the people of Colorado.
Once again the state fails it's citizens. They should be implementing a prisoner worker program instead of bringing more potentially illegals to this country.
Is it too much to ask for a politician to have some common sense?
June 7, 2008
8 a.m.
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socrates writes:
It is really very disturbing to hear the tone of the debate around immigration. There is a significant policy debate here, absolutely. But we are talking about human beings. People who are trying to find a way to provide for their families and create a better life for their children. Attempting to dehumanize immigrants says more about the writer than the subject.
The legislation seems like a good idea. It's addressing a very real problem with a very real solution. Giving immigrants a LEGAL avenue to work seasonally in the United States has the potential to address two problems at once - a shortage of workers in a critical industry and the opportunity for those who want to work to find employment without having to break the law to do it.
Congratulations to the Legislature and to Governor Ritter for rising above the rhetoric to find a solution.
June 7, 2008
8:05 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Thanks so much Mr. Fritter!! You just added 5000 more unwanted illegals into Colorado!
Farmers want them here so they can pay them slave wages!!
Dirty Sanchez is absolutely correct! The illegals are bringing in third world diseases!! When we hear about bacteria in our food products THINK about WHO is working in the fields,fast food joints,Meat packing companys, factorys that handle and package any and all types of food and it all adds up doesn't it????
Antibiotic resistant, tuberculosis (contagious!!!!) runs rampant in these people. We are being exposed to it!! Soon we will all hear about tuberculosis making a comeback in America!!
Throw hepatitus A-B-C into the mix,plus a few other fun diseases, we will soon become a very physically sick nation!! People and politicians like Bill Fritter are intent on turning this country into the United States of Mexico!!!
June 7, 2008
8:12 a.m.
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Paulkarmi writes:
We don’t need 5000 more illiterate peasants in the state of Colorado.
June 7, 2008
8:20 a.m.
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gary writes:
Voter: "Enforce our immigration laws"
Ritter and Hickenlooper: "It is the Federal Governments responsibility, not the State's or the City's"
Now....Ritter and company want to run immigration with a new State Law.
Gee...Remember "Immigration is the Federal Governments responsibitlity!!"
If they are going to "enforce" this law...then we need to enforce all of the laws.
Nuff Said!
June 7, 2008
8:22 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Froward69, I have said before that a prisoner worker program would work if they set it up to benefit everyone involved.
The prisoners get market wages and a incentive to work knowing they will have money in the bank when they get out.Using low risk level prisoners.
The state will take a small portion of the wages to offset costs.
The farmers will have workers.
An incentive to work would be money,time off their sentences and a good start when they get out. Rarely will you see a person getting out of jail or prison with money in the bank. They don't have anything to live on when they get out. So some of them resort to crime to survive.
If the state put as much effort into implementing a prisoner worker program as they would in getting immigrants from other countries here, it would work.
Once again we see the inability of a government program to be innovative and use the resources we have already here. I would like to see someone think outside the box for once.
June 7, 2008
8:32 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
But..but.. Vudumom that idea makes to much common sense and that's one major thought process that politicians lack!!!
June 7, 2008
8:46 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Migrant farm workers and ilegal immigration are two seperate issues altogether. Ever since God blessed America with amber waves of grain, the migrant worker has come to America to harvest it's bounty in season. Then they returned to the country of thier origin. America has an owes a debt of gratitude for this cooperative agreement which since it's conception has been an honorable accord. An illegal immigrant is a one who forsakes any agreement of honor to break the laws of nations to improve his or her lot; an opportunist, and unwanted guest that stains the nation this parasitical financial opportunist attaches to. He come uninvited by breaking the law; what starts out at it's inception as illegal should remain illegal. They not only come from the nations of Latin America, but from the world over. Seems the world washes up destitute on America's shore. It's time we hold the nations of the illegals origin accountable, not only finacially but accountable to thier people. Latin America is a good start simply because the are not only our direct neighbor, but we need Latin America to compete globally in the world economy. NAFTA has been a failure since it gave advantage to Latin America where the standard regulation of labor is non-existant; verse America where labor is highly regulated. Because of America having to deal for decades with ruthless juantas, oppressive dictators, not to mention the soviet financed insurgencies led by Castro mercenary forces, the people are hesitant to support America in Latin America. Problem is Latin America has virtually no middle class; the ruling super rich and the third world poor. They do not distribute thier new found oil wealth to the people like Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emerates. Why should they, they can kill thier own people and inprison dissent without any reppreccussions from America who always is content to have rapport with the ruler regardless of his selfish motives that oppresses his own people. America in order to survive in the new global economy needs to not only pressure the governments of Latn America, but hold them accountable to advancing the lot of thier people and at the same time build economic bridges through diplomacy. Almost every illegal from Latin America is an example of Latin America's failure to empower thier people. A simple free election is a big event in Latin America. Castro to be fair did much for his own people, but as the financial puppet of the Soviet Union, he exported insurrection and revolution worldwide. He recieved 8 to 15 million dollars a day to fight in several Latin American countries to Angola. Cuban mercenaries and soldiers are the some of the best at guerrilla warfare. Today, the Soviet Union can't afford thier own financial problems much less support Cuba. A golden window has arrived, is America capable to use it to improve Latin America.
June 7, 2008
9 a.m.
Suggest removal
cdmdenver writes:
SAME OLD INACCURATE ARGUMENTS...
How many times do people have to be
told?? NO Constitution (Patriot Act)
NO Borders (Secret Agreement signed by George W.)
North American Treaty
U.S. Economy and dollar almost worthless,
Other Countries, no longer accept U.S. Dollar
Everybody wants to blame the wrong people!
How does George W, and Ritter get elected??
Who votes for these people? It's not MAGIC
somebody voted for these FRAUDS??
Now people unhappy with their Elected Officials,
LIVE with Ritter, and these other Rogue officals
you voted for, they are self serving and
don't give a Rats A*# what U.S. Citizens and
Colorado citizens think!!!
June 7, 2008
9:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Folks, you can build the highest walls, bobwire your shores, and put marines on every square inch of boarder, and they'll still be coming to America. What a great nation we truly must be. Attack the problem not the result of the problem. Go after that issue that brought them to America. Otherwise, America will become an armed fortress where your papers better be in order, then I will be happy to rise up and bring freedom back to my country. Freedom is the greatest assest America ever possesed, or they wouldn't be showing up. Freedom breeds wealth, education, it empowers the people. Laws oppress, stiffle, and create resentment in the human spirit. Bring freedom to the world and see less illegal immigration. Create middle classes in the third world, and there won't be a third world.
June 7, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Louie, You make some valid arguements.You said, "Problem is Latin America has no middle class." The same is happening here and laws that are passed and laws that are ignored are slowly eroding the middle class in this country. The political leaders in this country(all sides and parties) are locked in this , we need to take everything we can from the rich and the middle class and give to the poor mentality. The rich can afford the expensive tastes of politicians. The middle class cannot.
Until these so called leaders wake up and do the will of the actual people who voted their sorry azzes in office, We the People, will be We the Slaves.
I'm afraid the political process is so corrupt and so polluted, there is NOTHING we the people can do to correct it. There is no one candidate that can change things. There is no one party that can change things. We the people are doomed.
June 7, 2008
9:21 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
If all else fails, as with the examples of Iran, Syria, etc., we can always go back to the european model of ruthless colonialism, economically and militarily. Almost all the third world was once held by colonial masters; we posses the means in the west to humble the world with our military advantage. We can even start the insurection in the middle east and watch them kill thier own people while we sit on the sidelines unscathed and become the merchants of armaments. Armament sales create great wealth. I would prefer other ways to insure America survival. America has many options to dealing with the third world. Third world is nothing but a civil war away from collapse; genocide has it place in history.
June 7, 2008
9:27 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Vudumom, I have always wanted to be a citizen of Monaco, there is no poverty in Monaco; but I will still have to get up every day and work, and there'll always be someone richer. It is a human trait to live in envy of others, the rich posses this flaw more so than the poor.
June 7, 2008
9:34 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Vudumom, I believe we doomed ourselves when we chose to work in corporate America instead of pursuit of the American dream of owning your own means of support. Corporate America enslaves the human being by buying his days on earth; you trade freedom for security. You have hallow arguement if you never threw out security and took the chance to build your own dream. If your ship is sinking why would you ride it to the bottom before getting off.
June 7, 2008
9:44 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
If you pursue your own dream, some unaccomplished schlep will call you an "Elitist" if you do make it to the top. Go figure...I think he resents his own lack of ability so he assails those who are truly capable of rising to the top of humanity.
June 7, 2008
10:12 a.m.
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DeimosJB writes:
So, farmers need people to fill "summer-length positions in the agricultural industry." Hmm...I wonder if there are any people we could find that have no special skills and are specifically looking for "summer-length positions". Hmm...let me put my brain to work on this exceedingly difficult problem...still working...still working....wait, an idea is coming.
Ah, I've got it. Teenagers. How many do you need Ritter? 1000? 5000? You're in luck, we've got 10 times as many as you need, and you don't have to screw Americans to fill the positions. What's that you say Ritter? Oh, you prefer screwing Americans? Well, then I guess your Visa plan is the best way to do that. Carry on.
For all the people bringing up the "immigrants are human" or "immigrants are people too" argument, I present that murderers are human. Rapists are "people". The debate is not about species, we are all "human" and we are all "people". The debate is the legality of their presence/actions, just like the debate is not about whether murderers are "people", but about the legality of their actions. If you're going to debate the issue, at least offer something intelligent, rather than a Red Herring. For instance, if someone broke into my house, stole my money, and then cleaned my floors, I would not be happy with them for doing an "unattractive job". I would be angry that they broke in and stole my money, and I'd boot them right back out of my house.
June 7, 2008
10:19 a.m.
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DeimosJB writes:
Oh, and Froward, go talk to a prisoner before you dismiss the chain gang idea. At least among inmates at the higher security prisons, where they spend 23 hours inside with only 1 hour to exercise, I have never personally talked to, nor have I even heard of a prisoner who would not rather get outside and work for 8 hours a day rather than sit in their 10X10 cell. Among the lower security prisons, time outside may not be as alluring, but earning a market wage instead of earning $0.25 to $0.50 an hour is certainly alluring.
June 7, 2008
10:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
DiemosJB, your right, and when I was a young man in a southern prison, I enjoyed picking up pecans in the orchards. We had road gangs, a decorated inmate fire department, etc. However, when I was talking once to the Director of Corrections here in Colorado, Mr. Z, he said if Colorado functioned like they did down south, do you know how many state DOT and other state workers would be out of a job. See, in Georgia they used convict labor to build highways. In Florida, we cut all the weeds, not some 18 dollar an hour state worker. Mr. Z. has a point; if you train convicts to run heavy equipment, maintain roads, fight fires, etc., how many state workers would be displaced and yes they'd scream. However isn't the taxpayer entitled to a better deal. No, before the attack, let me state the warden screens his help closely. No rapist or heinious criminal is given the opportunity, there is virtually no escapes, (unless you like being shot). I enjoyed working for the gaurds and thier families as many live in state housing that surrounded Raiford. The inmate fire department was commended for thier valor many times. Colorado is not going to listen to all those displaced state workers, Mr. Z. was right!
June 7, 2008
10:42 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Last sentence should read, Colorado is going to listen to all those displaced state workers. Sorry.
June 7, 2008
11:44 a.m.
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Big_D writes:
How sad Republicans are attacking rural farmers with rhetoric but every time somebody wants to do something real they are faced with this. Hope you enjoy the price of food this fall.
June 7, 2008
11:54 a.m.
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Big_D writes:
If you want prisoners to harvest crops maybe you should bring it up with your representatives rather than flapping your lips. The requirements seem prohibitively expensive but if you have a plan present it. Some people do things and unfortunately some people just complain. Ritter is just standing up for the agriculture economy of Colorado and that is good for a governor to do. If I were a farmer I would think twice about contributing to a Republican Party that introduces issues like this that harm their business. Why has the GOP decided to make farmers their enemy? I like farmers and so does Ritter, apparently we both like eating. What is the GOP malfunction?
June 7, 2008
11:56 a.m.
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Big_D writes:
We were attacked by Saudis not Mexicans. Get that in your thick skulls.
June 7, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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Acemon writes:
Nowhere in the article does it mention how much the guest workers will earn while picking fruit and veggies. Please tell us, Joanne Kelley. Isn't that a crucial part of the story?
June 7, 2008
12:31 p.m.
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samsmargolis writes:
I say they take the two "thong" bandits, reduce their charges to agricultural trespass and fast-track them through to be migrant workers under this new, exciting legislation. That way, Ritter can have the best of his old world mingled with the best of his new world to come! Yeah!
June 7, 2008
1:56 p.m.
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SockRayBlue writes:
Froward69
So who get the "Fickle Finger of Fate"? The FDA still has to be functional....The drug company's blame them for the high cost of pharmaceuticals. The "Food" part of FDA keeps firing rockets about what is being recalled and why.
June 7, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
DeimosJB writes:
Ha ha, Big D is angry at others "flapping their lips" then comes on and flaps his/her lips.
Thanks for the laugh, I can go home happy now.
June 7, 2008
2:24 p.m.
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me2 writes:
What do agricultural guest or illegal workers get paid for picking and maintaining crops?
How do we know they get slave labor wages if we can`t cite them?
I`m going to say this just once, Americans will not want their children doing stoop labor in the fields, or harvesting fruit and vegetables in the summer heat.
Even if the kids were flocking to these jobs, their parents would be appalled at this kind of work for their kids.
If you have teenagers at home would you truck them into the country to work every day? Or would you let them live in migrant camps?
Would your neighbors let their teens do this work?
June 7, 2008
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
me2,
When I was a teenager, I worked in the corn and soybean fields in Iowa in the summer. I started when I was 13 (oops, I lied about my age, the min. age was 14) and did it for three summers, until I had a year 'round job at a hospital. Anyway, I was happy to be able to make some spending money, even though the work was hard and the days were long. The farmers and seed companies picked us up in busses. I rode my bike to one of the bus stops.
I believe that there are many kids that would want to do this type of work, if transportation is provided. There are also many parents that would encourage it. But, sad to say, there are probably quite a few that would not want to do field work. Too many teens these days whine to their parents until they get what they want so why would they want to work? Plus they would have to be in a service area for their cell phones to work!
June 7, 2008
3:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
I am not a democrat, I do not have much in common with thier party platforms. However, Mr. Ritter was on the ball to sign this piece of legislation. Just because I don't see eye to eye with the democrats doesn't mean they don't accomplish some pretty meaningful things that truly do serve our nation well. Years ago, the democrats were very pro-labor, pro-union, and there were issues I found common ground with them. I don't support gun control, abortion, homosexuality, state run healthcare, and many other issues they advocate. However, I can honestly say they have done many other things I very much do support, especially in the areas of labor. The democrats just don't represent my views in so many other areas. Both parties sling too much mud at each other; this really destroys constructive dialogue, and diverts from our nations most important issues. Both party's seem to have served to really divide this nation deeply, as evident by the last two presidential elections. Will this ever change? I can only hope. Whomever wins this next election will be attacked by those citizens who voted for the opposite party. I have always believed that whomever was president, he deserved my upmost best as his fellow countryman, even if I disagree with him. This office is not only the highest office in America, but the highest office in the free world. No nation is looked at by the world with as much scrutiny, positive or negative, as America. To maintain this position requires all of us, both democrat and republican. Or we can keep on throwing more mud at each other, long after the election is over, and let the world exploit this deep divide in our people politically. Nothing scares our enemies abroad as much as when all of America unites for the common good. No matter which party wins this next election, I will support the man as he leads my nation through some very perilious times. I believe it has something to do with "pledging alliegance" to the United States of America...
June 7, 2008
5:22 p.m.
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roger44 writes:
Louie we have lost any position we had in the world, we used to be looked at as an example of the free world, now we are looked at with anger because we are arrogant, pushy, and have a high regard for ourselves. Is this private company going to run background checks? Bring in families? do this mean they will go back after they are finished with the crops? Will the state be liable if one of those workers commits a crime against a citizen? Many questions.
Ritter is in a world of his own, his rules, protect the farmer at any cost, the biggest welfare recipients in the country. I love my country, but I fear the Government..
June 7, 2008
5:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
roger44 writes:
Read the bill, and wish the state could do for me what it's going to do for those workers. Health insurance carriers to be consulted about health insurance, Employer pays for transportation and subsistence to the job, provide housing, and low cost or free meals. Now, if they required my employer to do that, and pay minimum wage, hell, I'd be doing OK. Health insurance out of my reach, takes over 2 gallons of gas to get to work a day, and I get 18mpg @55 mph out of my pickup. Throw in housing etc and I would come out money ahead of where I'm at now. And of course, the state gets a fee for the cost of the program, and that may be the kicker, why should a farmer hire these guys and pay all that when an illegal can walk up and need work and save all those fees, costs etc. Maybe I'll apply, cause it says they have to do the same for citizen workers. There ya go teens, get off those fat butts, away from the cell phone, TV and video games, computer etc and make a buck instead of freeloading off your parents.
June 7, 2008
6:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Go apply, tell your kids you have a great job for them; twenty bucks says it's no more going to happen in significant numbers to relinquish the need for immigrant farm laborers than you'll follow through with your suggestion. At least with this program these immigrants won't be illegally here and thus have licenses and maybe even insurance. Most illegals have niether and this is the problem. I continue to hear these wonderful suggestions of how many americans need these jobs. But why don't they show up if it such a great occupation, so we can do away altogether with immigrant farm labor? Great sound bite, but it hasn't happened since the great depression; there is not enough americans to do or want the jobs. I don't care for the democrats disregard for TABOR, that is a problem as it flys directly in the face of the electorate, but they did right on this farm bill. Farmers have forever for generations had to use other nation's citizens to pick and harvest our crops. I always hear this arguement that these are jobs americans should be doing, but where are they? The crops would rot if we told the farmer to wait for americans to fill these jobs. Although Florida does have PRIDE which is a "marrage" of state and private enterprises to use convict labor, they are used in agriculture only on state farms and orchards. Colorado is so foolish as to charge the taxpayer fortunes for this idled labor force that can be doing DOT jobs. Yet if Colorado did this can you hear the state worker crying about losing his 20 dollar an hour job to a 2 dollar convict? It's easier to keep soaking the taxpayer for new warehouses to put this wasted potential. I don't know how it would work on private farms, I never saw that. I did see convicts maintaining state roads, parks, cemetaries, government equipment, etc., but do it here in Colorado and a lot of state workers would be out of a job. I made this arguement to the director of Colorado Dept. of Correction in Jerri's Tobacco while we both were buying cigars. Mr. Z. stated Colorado will never use the convict labor force like down south, because of the displacement of state workers. Mr Z. is right. I would welcome the Gun Squads and the 30-30 lever actions supervising chain gangs; a least you the taxpayer could get some return on your money. I didn't even have the 30-30, I picked up pecans, painted the gaurds houses on state property, mowed the lawns and I was trusted by the prison personel. Gaurd's ole girl needed a water pump and timing chain on her car, a convict does it. We even work the firing ranges and police the brass casings, etc. for the gaurds. Down south is totally different. Please give me a real solution, show me americans who are taking these lowly jobs on our farms and I will be happy to slap Mr. Ritter on the issue. As far as the state using a private firm, the state does that everyday. As far as background checks, only a few nations such as France bars felons from entry.
June 7, 2008
8:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Davek80501 writes:
Why don't we have the people here collecting welfare help pick the crops as part of working for the money they get. It's a win win for both the State and the farmers!
June 7, 2008
8:25 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Oh no Dave, they would cry foul to work that hard; thier backs would give out. Ever ride behind a hay bailer; I did and boy it is tough work. I like to see your suggestion put into action; kind of like Roosevelt's Great Deal.
June 7, 2008
8:29 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
I meant Roosevelt's New Deal.
June 7, 2008
10:32 p.m.
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p_myers661 writes:
I'd be happy if those pushing for this program were reminded, at the ballot box, that citizens are fed up with the arrogance of politicians and demand that illegal immigration be addressed by enforcing immigration laws already on the books.
We can use this program to prove what we already know: the legal temporary workers will not return home. The majority will disappear with their final paycheck and, if their families are with them, just set up inside the areas here where people coddle illegals. People will be able to see why we are upset. Politicians will have the opportunity to apologize for creating this situation by putting an end to the legal guest worker visas. No matter what you opinion is now, it will require proof. Is there a plan to track just how many return and how many transfer themselves into the illegal community? Let the numbers tell the story to all sides. I have a neighbor who is a dear friend. He is here legally. His father came here legally after his grandfather served in WWII as an Army Captain. My friend is too old to join up but three of his six adult sons are in Iraq. His opinion of illegal immigrants is much harsher than those espoused here. He is cheated out of respect he and his family earned. Now they can prove that he is legal, but those illegal "pickup" workers have lowered the wages he can earn by working under the table. He wants strict fines for employers.
He agrees that the only way to rid our communities of illegal workers is to punish the employers. Look at Oklahoma. By passing strict laws that are quickly enforced they convinced illegals to leave on their own. The most important part is the heavy fines on employers and the loss of a business license for some offenses. I read the comment made by an illegal immigrant who left Oklahoma for Texas. He said, "Here they let me work. In Oklahoma, they are afraid to hire me without legal papers." He went on to outline the "under the table payments he used to receive. In Oklahoma this can get a business manager and/owner jail time. Since the laws were passed last summer and went into effect in October, the schools enrollments dropped. The numbers from the Emergency Rooms are still out. Several business owners were heavily fined, 75K with forfeiture of license being the next stage of enforcement, a few lost their licenses with a very high fine in addition. They attempted to appeal and lost. They are still fighting but must pay a heavy fine and heavy legal costs with little or no chance of winning. The loss of license took place within 24 hours of the wins in the state supreme court. Don't know if they tried to fight after that.
Try it here.
June 7, 2008
10:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
GWBushwacked writes:
So, the solution is easy. All those that are on welfare should have to work in the fields, but wait---why should they work when the government will give them money......And the crap about fair market pay..I saw where there were many farmers who were paying $10/hr....now that may be alot-but I know some surviving on less.
Sure, let's pay the welfare moms and dads $20/hr to work in the fields- fair enough, right ? Then you can pay $15/lb for tomatoes, $25 for a 10 lb bag of potatoes, etc etc....
So, I say....Let them have the damn visas.
And yeah--you are all going to say---but they are using the system---if they are working---I do not have a problem with it...Been a nurse too long to see Americans, born on our soil, using and abusing the system and not putting in an honest day's work. And have seen far too many coming to this country working their rear ends off and thinking how lucky and fortunate they are.
June 8, 2008
10:08 a.m.
Suggest removal
Miss_Kitty_Kat_Girl writes:
"The prisoners get market wages and a incentive to work knowing they will have money in the bank when they get out.Using low risk level prisoners."
How 'bout all them white colllor criminals! yeah, I'd like to see them out in the fields, but I doubt it'll ever happen cause they have it so good in prison.
June 8, 2008
12:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
redwhiteandBLUE writes:
To the left, go to related links Documents: 13 pages.
Free transportation ,free housing, etc.
June 8, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rangerjoe1 writes:
Hey froward69, I grew up in Iowa and picked corn and detasled from my 9 birthday, Started my own lawn business at age 16. Got my college degree by 24. And paid for it myself. Started my own business in Colorado 20 yrs ago. BUT I WAS PAID MARKET VALUE FOR MY WORK YOU POPUS liberal. DO GOODERS AS YOU AND THE FLAMING MORON RITTER THINK YOU GOT IT ALL FIGURED OUT. Ritter would sell his own children out just for his own power & ego. froward69 likes slaves to come into Colorado just to lower wages of EVERY WORKING CLASS PERSON. Makes him feel more important than others, TYPICAL LIBERAL.
AGAIN, ROT IN HELL RITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 8, 2008
7:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
"Ritter would sell his own children..."; man has some great kids from what I can tell, could be a real asset. Did you get a price?
June 8, 2008
10:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
American100 writes:
Search Governor Ritter on the web: www.colorado.gov/governor
I and about 30 of my friends and relatives let him know we won't
vote for him (most of us didn't anyway), unless he takes a hard line AGAINST illegals and unless he reconsiders doing crappy stupid shik like this. Everyone who objects should contact him and protest.