One of the most critical aspects of immigration reform is the creation of a provisional, or temporary, worker program that facilitates a legal workforce for America’s economic needs. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of misperception about such a program. Here are the facts:
1. An adequate provisional worker program provides a legal avenue to meet workforce needs.
Many people come to the United States illegally because there is no legal avenue for them to enter. They are not
looking for citizenship, yet play a critical role in America’s economy. Currently, American employers do not
have access to qualified workers in the US or abroad, creating an environment for illegal activity.
2. An adequate provisional worker program will decrease illegal immigration.
Given the choice of sneaking into the U.S. illegally, with its lethal hardships and dangers, or entering a legal
program, temporary workers will choose the latter – if it is open to them – which allows for circular migration so that
temporary workers do not break their ties with their families and their home country.
3. Employers must recruit American workers first at a fair market wage. Employers must then
certify that they are not able to find qualified workers in the United States before participating in a provisional
worker program. Thus, a provisional worker program protects the American worker, which must be given a
preferential status.
4. Undocumented workers would participate in a provisional workers program. A survey of
undocumented Mexican workers revealed that 80% would participate in a temporary workers program and return
to their home country. (NCI, 2008)
5. An adequate provisional worker program will increase national security. The federal government
must and can pre-screen and track participation of temporary workers and compliment America’s national security
enforcement.
6. Provisional workers pay taxes when they participate in a legal system. Taxes can be collected
by those who would otherwise be in the underground economy. Due to provisional status, temporary workers are
ineligible to apply for or collect welfare, Social Security or Medicare benefits. Currently, undocumented workers
annually pay $7 billion in Social Security and $1.5 billion in Medicare taxes. Through an adequate provisional worker
program, with fair legal wages earned by employees, these numbers would increase.
7. Professionals and high-end employees utilize a provisional worker program. In addition to
agriculture and seasonal workers, a range of professionals may qualify for temporary work visas, including medical
professionals, outstanding researchers and teachers, professional engineers, athletes and performing artists of
extraordinary ability and others who provide critical services to our country.
8. Currently, the provisional worker program is too limited in scope to accommodate the workforce needs of
America’s economy. Congress must fix our broken immigration system. Creating a workable policy for
legal immigration ensures that American employers recruit qualified employees, give preference to Americans, and
protect America’s economy.