Immigration has been one of the most controversial issues debated at the Texas Republican Party National Convention this week. Today the over 10,000 delegates will finalize the party’s platform. Although it may be non-binding, it will be an important political statement, receiving much attention heading into the November elections.
There seems no doubt there will be changes in the 2012 immigration platform, the so-called “Texas Solution,” which remains as controversial today as it was when adopted. The main disagreement lies in the 2012 addition of a guest worker program, which would make it easier for illegal aliens to get jobs. Many delegates argue this is a form of amnesty, while leadership argues this is needed for future Hispanic votes.
The platform coming out of committee has removed the guest-worker language and replaced it with a provisional visa program. The preamble refers to a need for a “practical method of legal entry.” Rather an odd addition, as our extremely generous system, which allows in over 1 million persons legally a year including an unlimited number of agricultural workers, already provides a legal method.
But, the changes coming out of committee do not change the underlying theme of the “Texas Solution” – there are jobs that Americans, in particular Texans, won’t do despite the extraordinarily high unemployment and underemployment rate, and the illegal-alien workforce is needed to help fill these jobs. The construction industry which benefits greatly from cheap labor was key in drafting the original “Texas Solution” and remains a major player in today’s debate.
The provisional visa program, which ironically follows the Secure our Borders First section, contains the components we always see connected to amnesty plans, i.e. criminal history, back taxes, fines, no financial assistance, proficiency in English, blah, blah, blah. These are not requirements for “guestworkers”; these are some of the standard features of an amnesty, which raises questions about the intent and long term goals of these additions.
A minority report, which failed in committee with a tie vote amongst members, will be provided to delegates as well. This report reflects more of the general public’s views, giving deference to the views of the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor who won his primary with 65% of the vote. In addition, the minority report at this moment calls for no legal status being provided to those in the country illegally, a linking of the visa system to labor needs, ending country origin quotas and the visa lottery, the instituting of a guest worker provision responding to job shortages only after the border is secure and e-verify enforced, and lastly, those requesting a guest worker visa must apply from outside the country allowing those following our laws to get priority.
There is also a conflict at the heart of the proposal being presented today. The document states, “We support the reallocation of immigration slots balanced to meet labor shortages and family re-unification.” But there exists, to a certain extent, a conflict between "family-based" immigration and the need for "employment based" immigration. Presently, the vast majority of slots go for "family-based immigration," yet the committee does not take a stand on priorities.
Today’s convention vote on a new platform should provide some interesting theater.