On Sunday, the New York Times reported on employer opposition to immigration raids and other measures punishing the hiring of undocumented immigrants. According to the Times, “business groups have resisted measures that would revoke the licenses of employers of illegal immigrants. They are proposing alternatives that would revise federal rules for verifying the identity documents of new hires and would expand programs to bring legal immigrant laborers.”
This is a potentially positive development, as business leaders are well placed to make the argument for real solutions to the immigration challenge that uphold our nation’s ideals and move us forward together. In particular, they speak to the contribution of undocumented immigrants to our economy and the need for commonsense approaches rather than vindictive, unworkable ones. And they have the ear of politicians of both parties.
It’s essential, though, that we complement business voices with those of faith leaders, civic leaders, immigrant leaders, and others committed to the protection of human rights in the workplace, communities, and beyond. Failing to do so could result in an immigration “fix” that serves business interests and provides cheap labor, but fails to protect workers’ rights and depresses wages for all.
We should welcome the voices of business leaders, while making sure that we tell the whole story to the American people.
