20 Noviembre 2007
Inmigración Ilegal en los EEUU
En mi trabajo voluntario (enseño inglés a inmigrantes adultos y interpreto entre español y inglés), tengo contacto con muchos inmigrantes — algunos están aquí legalmente, y algunos no. También la inmigración está mucho en las noticias actualmente, entonces pienso frecuentemente sobre el sujeto. Cuando oigo lo que dice las personas llamadas nuestros lideres sobre inmigración ilegal, no estoy contento, porque pienso que no piensan constructivamente. Entonces decidí escribir algo.
Hechos y Estadísticas
- Según el Centro Hispánico Pew, habían alrededor de 11 millones de inmigrantes ilegales en los EEUU en Marzo de 2005, lo cual es 3.8% de la población de los EEUU.
- De los 11 millones, otra vez según el Centro Hispánico Pew, más o menos 7.2 millones trabajan ilegalmente, lo cual es 5% de la mano de obra de los EEUU.
- Las industrias lo más común para inmigrantes ilegales en los EEUU son la construcción (1.4 millones, o 12% de la mano de obra) y “ocio y hospitalidad” (1.2 millones o 10%).
- Hombres que trabajan ilegalmente ganan $400 por semana, y mujeres menos (no estoy segura cuanto menos).
Observaciones
- La economía básica (y la lógica) nos dice que personas toman decisiones basado en beneficios personales. Entonces, ¿quién beneficia de la labor ilegal de inmigrantes?
- Los negocios que usan trabajadores ilegales benefician. Claramente, si los negocios pudieran contratar residentes legales con el mismo costo total (considerando salario, seguros, horas, y productividad) como trabajadores ilegales, usarían trabajadores con papeles, para evitar problemas legales. Entonces debe ser que los trabajadores ilegales trabajan por menos que trabajadores legales, hacen trabajo que trabajadores legales no harían, o trabajan bajo condiciones que los legales no tolerarían.
- Los trabajadores ilegales benefician. Trabajadores típicos que he conocido dicen que vinieron aquí porque no habían la posibilidad de trabajar en México, ni la posibilidad de vivir sin trabajo allá (no hay servicios sociales, bancos de comida, cocinas de sopa, etc.). Aquí, encuentran trabajo, y dicen que aun si viven en las calles de Seattle (muchos lo hacen), su vida aquí es mejor que lo que hay in México: por lo menos no van a morir de hambre aquí si tienen uno o dos semanas sin trabajar. Los que he conocido con familias aquí, especialmente las mujeres, son una inspiración por su dedicación a mejorar sus vidas y las vidas de sus hijos.
- Hay unos costos que compensan los beneficios. Para los trabajadores ilegales, incluyen el costo de llegar aquí (pagar alguien por traerlos sobre la frontera, el riesgo de vida en cruzar el desierto, etc.) y el riesgo de la deportación. Para los negocios, incluyen los riesgos de multas y publicidad mala si se los descubra con trabajadores ilegales. Pero el hecho que tenemos 7 millones de trabajadores ilegales significa que estos costos deben ser mucho menos que los beneficios a los dos grupos.
- Esta situación no es nueva. Hace decenios que inmigrantes ilegales vienen aquí, la mayoría de México, y hace decenios que hay trabajo amplio para ellos. El riesgo de ser descubierto y deportado nunca ha estado tan alto que los impediría; el riesgo de multas nunca ha estado tan alto que impedirí a los negocios.
- El público en los EEUU pide soluciones al “problema” de inmigración ilegal. Pero los políticos (fundados por negocios) no ofertan soluciones efectivos proporcionales a la escala del número de inmigrantes, no más ahora que en los decenios pasados. Aquí hay las opciones que pienso pueden realmente reducir el número de trabajadores ilegales:
- El método lo más seguro y humano sería mejorar las condiciones en México y Centroamérica. Si todos de los mexicanos tuviera opciones para una vida buena en México, no vendrían tan lejos de sus familias para trabajar ilegalmente aquí — el beneficio neto no sería más que el costo.
- También podríamos negar los beneficios a negocios de usar trabajadores ilegales: asegurar que los trabajadores ilegales tienen lo mismo salario, seguros, y protecciones de trabajo que disfrutan trabajadores legales, o les da estatus legal.
- La otra opción es incrementar mucho la aplicación de la ley (deportaciones de trabajadores o multas de negocios) para incrementar los costos a negocios o trabajadores.
- La otra pregunta es si trabajo ilegal de inmigrantes es problema o no. Pienso que no es un problema que trabajadores trabajan aquí para mejorar sus vidas. Pero ellos tienen problemas por el hecho que viven y trabajan ilegalmente, como miedo, estatus social bajo, y la pérdida de derechos de trabajo. No es una vida fácil, y no me parece justo que gente que solo trata de mejorar su vida, y que también contribuyan a nuestra economía, debe vivir en esta manera.
RSS
I agree with most you think and say. However as an immigrant myself, I must say that there is a major problem with your model.
Yes, the corporations benefit big time by practically paying nothing for illegal immigrants and thus making larger profits. What would be the benefit to any Employer to hire legal workers if they can get the same, if not better motivated labor for almost free ? Continue the thought and you will see where it easily could lead to.
Yes, the illegal immigrants benefit because they can better themselves. My question: Why are they here illegally ? Where is their gain to watch all the time for INS/DHS ? Why can’t they or don’t they want to become legal ? When I came here I came from a non-spanish country with 20.00 bucks to my name, and I did not have the benefit of a social net as many of the mexican/hispanic immigrants have (kudos to them to stick together and help each other) I was borderline illegal, my visa was running out, but I had saved up enough money to file my paperwork and I had noone to help me. Again I ask the question WHY don’t those people become legal immigrants ? One of the benefits I can imagine is: since they (illegal Immigrants) do not exist and do not live (as far as the US Government is concerned, the employer does not have to deduct any Taxes from their income, again a win - win for Employer and Immigrant. But what if, what if an illegal immigrant becomes sick and in need of medical attention ? Most pay their bills a lot don’t or are on medicaid. Then it becomes a problem for all, because medicaid needs to be funded by those who pay into the meager welfare pot. In that context I consider illegal immigrants as a burden to society and a burden to all of us. So many people from Mexico have immigrated here legally and bettered themselves. And with all the benefits the spanish population has (spanish Governmentdocuments, spanish speaking personell in almost all industries, amnesties etc etc) it is so easy to immigrate legally if one is an honest person.
So, bottom line is: I have no tolerance for illegal immigrants, be they from Mexico, Ecuador, Germany, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia etc. Because eventually they will destroy the system, it’s just a matter of time and mass.
Actually, it is nearly impossible for someone from Mexico or Central America to get legal status here. Also, many of the illegal workers here do pay taxes. Check your facts…
–Jennifer
Jennifer,
This was not meant as an attack to you or any immigrant (legal or illegal). Who am I to judge in the first place. I am aware that many of the illegal immigrants do pay their taxes, but there is also a huge amount who don’t. I am also aware that not every illegal immigrant is a burden (or whatever you want to call it). I have worked for many years in a Management Position in the Hotel Industry and I know that many employers in this Industry hire Illegal Immigrants. Their shortime view is: the benefits outweigh the penalties. And what goes for the Hotel Biz, just leads me to believe that a similar thought process happens with anyone who is employing illegal immigrants.
I am also aware that Illegal Immigrants are also a huge economical force. But does that make the whole situation right ? NO. By no means. I repeat, why would I hire a citizen or legal Alien, if I can pocket more money and get even more motivated employees ? This will in the long run undermine the social structure.
Secondly and as an Immigrant myself I know what these people give up (legal or illegal): They leave behind families, friends, a culture a way of life be it good or bad but that’s what they have been brought up with. I think noone can even understand that who has not lived in their shoes. Those illegal immigrants if remain in this status, have almost no way ever to visit loved ones, who they left behind. This is a tough situation to be in. In addition they have to look over their shoulder every time they turn around. Living in a “social twilight”, as I call it.
The government supports this, by doing nothing or doing the wrong thing (deporting children, dividing families), everytime the media picks up the subject. Once again two wrongs don’t make it right. I see both sides and I am saying that corporate america is exploiting the situation of the illegal immigrants and the illegal immigrants feed that, by standing in line for such exploitation. Not because they want to, but they have to. Again, I am not saying it is just the fault of one or the other, it is a mutual relationship, but where the immigrants get the shorter end of the stick. I have one thing though I do not understand and that is your last statement: it is nearly impossible, in 2002 when I filed, I filed with a friend who happened to be from Mexico, we lived in the same county, we worked at the same place, we even used the same lawyer. Per her own admission she had an elementary school level education (which I would have never guessed), I was born and raised in Germany, have a College Education. She had her Greencard in 2 months, mine took ~5 months. That’s where I get that it is fairly easy for Spanish speaking Immigrants to immigrate. Per your statement I stand corrected. Again, I am saying that I understand the immigrants, but I do not understand why they have to violate existing laws beyond a ‘grace period’. I am not saying they have malicious intentions, most are descent hard working people, but WHY do they go this route?
Bottom line is: we can bite each others noses off, and nothing will be solved, but what we can do is to help those people and help them to better themselves by becoming legal or finding venues for them to get out of the ’slavery’ situation.
We can raise awareness and pressure the Government and Industry to make it a easier and more difficult for the wrong people.
Just because the illegal Immigrants are such a strong force does not mean it is right. It is not right for either side you stand on.
I think we agree on some points.
Regarding the difficulty in obtaining a work visa, it looks like the current cap on H-2B (non-skilled) work visas for this year is 66,000. Considering that there are 11,000,000 illegal workers here, only a small fraction of them can obtain legal status. (Here is a reference.)
For Latin Americans who have citizen family members, or who marry citizens, it may not be all that difficult to get green cards and/or work visas. But for those who don’t have that, it’s certainly not statistically likely that they will get them.
As for the reason that the immigrants are here, the ones I have spoken to all say the same thing: there is no work for them in Mexico (or untenable working conditions, such as a 15-hour work-day with low pay that barely keeps the family fed, and during which your children are left to themselves), and no government safety net. Faced with the choice between that and coming here and working illegally, which would you think they would choose? In spite of leaving their families behind and all the other difficulties, they know that if they manage not to get caught and deported, their lives will be easier and better here.
–Jennifer
I agree that most of the illegal immigrants come from Mexico, but there is a large number of south American immigrants as well. I’m a Mexican immigrant myself, and I have been successful in my stay in the USA – I have a small software company. I was young when I came, and I did not have a family of my own. I know that most immigrants to not want to leave their families, but as Jennifer mentioned they do not have many choices: die of hunger along with the family or go where there is a possibility of making some money.
Another thing not mentioned is the fact that for one immigrant that makes into USA many more die, or end up mutilated or handicapped. Immigrants coming from south of Mexico are subject to a number of abuses by the Mexican people – it saddens to admit this.
Whether legal or not these people are humans just like you and I. Yes, there are rules and laws that must be followed, but these people need to be treated with respect. The same respect you and I would demand not matter what we have done. They may not be as educated as you and I, but they feel and cry just like you and I.
Governments can fix the illegal immigration issues, but they do not want to. USA can help create jobs and opportunities – real opportunities, no simple exploitation – in Mexico, and Mexico could care more for its own people.
Good points — thanks for your comments, Miguel!
I personally have found it very easy to respect all the illegal immigrants I have come in contact with. They are very dedicated to making their lives better, very smart, very hard working. What’s not to respect? The main difference between me and them is that I was born here and they were born somewhere else, which usually means that they didn’t have the same opportunity I had to get a good education, learn English from when I was a baby, get a good job legally, and all the other benefits we often take for granted.
–Jennifer
Good morning Jennifer,
With the exception of mom and pop shops (cash business and ability to hide receipts from the IRS), a typical business requires a green card (or something similar) prior to hiring someone: plausible deniability. Illegal immigrants tend to falsify/borrow papers to get jobs. The real issue however is that *legal* workers are not flocking to fill job that illegal immigrants are more than happy to take. The claim (not yours) that immigrants are taking away our jobs is false. I don’t see hordes of white boys and girls descending on Yakima and Chelan demanding jobs picking grapes and apples.
For a business, it’s about supply and demand:there is no supply of local workers, and plenty of demand for apples and strawberries. The system works, and in general everyone is happy (from an economic perspective, as I don’t dare even begin addressing human factors: happiness, medical care, etc.). Instead of wasting taxpayer money on a raid netting some hundreds of illegal workers in a chicken processing plant (earlier this week), the INS should probably focus on terrorism related activities (until such time when teenagers are rioting in downtown Bellevue demanding to be bused to Wenatchee for the apple picking season).
As an aside, and while I agree that the solution is to improve conditions in Latin American countries (and elsewhere), I tend to think that the people of those countries are to blame when the final analysis is done. The real problem is local/tribal loyalties versus a strong commitment to a national/regional cause. US/International business interests will do what they do best: protect their share values, so it’s up to the people of these countries to step up to the plate and do the right thing. It’s the only way to force a change from the status quo.
Respect your opinions. However, “illegals are illegals’. They came in through our borders (or visa overstayers) violating our Title 8, Section 1325 which criminalizes anyone who has violated this code. When it comes to applying for jobs, ‘ALL’ illegal aliens have violated Title 18 of our Code (assuming someone elses’ identity; sometimes even stealing it). They all lie on their W-4 Forms, I-9’s, claiming that they are in our country legally and that they have the right to work legally in the U.S. when indeed they aren’t. I’m not anti-immigrant. I am an ‘Anti-illegal immigrant’. We don’t go to their countries to usurp their territories and claim/demand benefits. As a matter of fact, what we should do is fine, deny permits, revoke licenses and jail each and every employer in the U.S. who knowingly hires ‘illegal aliens’. Tax time comes, there have been a large number of illegal aliens who salivate at the thought that they a right to re-imbursement of monies; so what do they do? They borrow each other dependents and share a cut of the reimbursement. They claim allowance, and credits that they aren’t entitled to claim. They all lie! They’re taking what’s our, under our noses. We can only look and blame the federal government for not taking a serios stand against illegal immigration and border crossing. Why don’t they go illegally to North Korea, China, Taiwan, Cuba, Venezuela, Rusia, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and other leftist countries? They know they won’t collect the benefits they collect from the U.S. Government, that’ why! It’s about the money. So if jobs and benefits is the magnet, we must be an end to it.