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DEAR FRIENDS,
There
were a lot of revelations and nuances about immigration in last night's
second presidential candidates debate. I have a lot of comments on a
range of them in my blog at:
But this is what I think was the most important view we got from the heated exchange between the candidates on immigration:
Gov.
Romney sent a powerful positive message to unemployed American workers
in construction, service and manufacturing by refusing to budge from his
long-term insistence on strong enforcement to get illegal immigrants
out of U.S. jobs.
He
did so in the face of a tough audience question about "productive"
illegal immigrants and in response to attacks by Pres. Obama about
Romney's support for "self-deportation."
Romney
noted two primary ways that a country can enforce its immigration rules
and said he rejects the one that involves mass roundups and mass
deportations. Instead, he said, he would take away the jobs and
benefits magnets and allow most illegal immigrants to come to their own
conclusion on moving back to their home countries.
Obama,
unfortunately, indicated that he opposes both enforcement options,
except for deporting criminals who are "hurting the community."
Although
Obama touted success in controlling illegal border crossings, he
promised nothing to even discourage millions of tourists and other
visitors from over-staying their visas and competing against Americans
for jobs.
Obama
inaccurately described an Arizona law as authorizing police to stop
people for looking like they might be illegal immigrants and he accused
Romney of saying that should be a model for the nation.
Romney
disavowed any such position -- something independent fact-checkers have
been confirming for months -- but said he does believe the model for
the nation is the Arizona law that requires all employers to use
E-Verify, a federal system that ensures that jobs go to Americans and
legal immigrants.
Less
than 5% of the seven million illegal immigrant workers are in
agriculture. Most are less-educated and in construction, manufacturing,
service and transportation occupations. The majority of the 20 million
Americans who can't find a full-time job are also less-educated and
looking for jobs in those same occupations.
NumbersUSA
does not endorse candidates, but on the issue of giving Americans
priority over illegal immigrants for U.S. jobs, I found Romney's debate
comments to be very encouraging and Obama's to be dismaying.
However,
in their comments about legal immigration, both candidates failed to
show any understanding that it can be a source of unfair competition to
American workers.
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I am dealing with these and other debate comments about immigration in my blog.
This link goes to the blog that includes my comments in live-blogging last night.
You may enjoy reading other voters' comments below my blog and want to join the conversation.
Roy Beck
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