By Nora Trueblood
Before diving into this very tenuous subject of immigration, I wanted to share some history to bring us to 2023.
The United States has always been considered the great melting pot, welcoming immigrants from all over the world. From the late 1800s until 1965, immigration was just a matter of something we always had, accepted, and were proud of. We welcomed those from all points in Europe and Russia and then more and more from Asia and Latin America. The early immigrants were attracted by jobs in building and manufacturing industries, and as time went on the needs in agriculture became more obvious for immigrant workers.
The U.S. had allowed immigrants at a large pace, admitting an average of 250,000 immigrants a year in the 1950s, and 330,000 in the 1960s.
Beginning in the early 1960s, immigration became more and more of a talking point, and the idea of establishing a policy to monitor and control entry to the U.S. was on the minds of both sides of the aisle – both in Congress and with the Senate. Quotas that had been established based on census information since the 1920s were out of date, and those quotas were challenged as to their fairness. John F. Kennedy took up immigration reform prior to his assassination.
The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965
Considered the first legislation of its kind passed after Kennedy’s death, with support and passage by Congress and in the Senate. However, the water-downed version of the legislation was thought to have very little real consequence in immigration reform. In the three decades since its passage, it is estimated that over 18 million legal immigrants entered the U.S., with the highest number from Mexico. The roots of this legislation remain in effect.
The Refugee Act of 1980
This legislation’s focus was on raising the annual admittance of refugees to the U.S. from 17,400 to 50,000. It also created a better process to review and adjust to the huge influx of refugees from war-torn countries where individuals needed to show a “well-founded fear of persecution” if they stayed in their home country. It also provided assistance to immigrants to achieve financial self-sufficiency. This legislation was passed unanimously by the Senate and was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Parts of this legislation remain in effect.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
The intention was to create a better way of enforcing immigration and the first amnesty programs, creating more chances for legal immigration. It also made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire or recruit illegal immigrants. This was passed and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The effect was specific to a new visa process to allow immigrants to work temporarily in mostly agricultural settings, with some non-agricultural visas extended as well. This Act remains in effect.
The 1990 Immigration Act
This legislation amended the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, by raising the total level of immigration. Reportedly 20 million immigrants were permitted over the two decades since its passage to enter the U.S. Additionally, entrants could stay in the U.S. until situations in their home countries improved. A new area addressed in this Act was that employers could contract with foreign laborers to come to the U.S. and pay for their passage in exchange for the worker’s wages (up to one year). What resonates with me specifically about this legislation is the fact that it was introduced by (D) Ted Kennedy and signed into law by (R) President George Herbert Bush. It seems like the last time a bipartisan piece of immigration reform was passed.
There was additional reform passed in 1996, and then after 9/11, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 took over much of the immigration enforcement.
President Biden is trying to push through more immigration reform, however the Republicans currently control the House and the Democrats the Senate. And the divides in this country have never seemed so wide.
Our agricultural businesses need seasonal workers as do other non-agricultural businesses like the hospitality/hotel industry. They rely on immigrants (legal and other) to keep their businesses afloat. I have read and heard the statement “no one wants these low-paying hard-working jobs.” I always thought it would be interesting to require high school students in an agricultural region/state to work in the fields for one week. While I have not done so myself, I understand working in the fields, just as working as a housekeeper at a hotel, is very hard work. So, we Americans won’t fill these jobs? That is another topic altogether to think about.
How do we get our Congress and Senate to work together to bring about humane and fair immigration reform? Where those in the U.S. who are here illegally, but are working and paying taxes have a road to citizenship. Where the Dreamers that are here because their parents wanted a better life for them, may stay and become legal citizens. And the flip side, how do we remove the immigrants that are criminals, prevent entry to those with records of violence and gang affiliations, those that are moving fentanyl through our schools and communities, and those who do not work and expect our government to take care of them?
I do not have answers to all of these questions, but I do know that the transportation and produce industries employ a lot of very smart people. We need to speak up, get involved and be the conduits of change. Let’s have more conversations.