Who are they? Are they criminals and potential terrorists, or honest and industrious people trying to find refuge in this nation of freedom? Do they benefit America or do they steal job opportunities from the legal citizens of this country? Do they contribute to the spread of diseases, the increase in criminality and the growth of the black market? Do we feel they should all be granted amnesty or deported? Finally, how do we feel about President George Bush's efforts to deal with the problem of illegal immigration? Russian Forward interviewed a range of people on this issue.
Edward Juarez, President at International Immigrants Foundation (IIF):
President Bush did not introduce the topic for Congress to debate, he merely stated his position with respect to the problem of illegal immigration. Now Congress must develop a bill and submit it to the President. President Bush has made an extremely important decision. For the first time in U.S. history, 5 percent of the population of the country is comprised of undocumented aliens. This is a result of the Immigration Act of 1996, which shut the doors on many immigrants, thus encouraging the influx of illegal aliens. Since the tragedy of September 11, anti-immigrant moods prevail in this country, aggravated by an economic recession and unemployment. Certainly, under such conditions Americans speak out against the legalization of illegal aliens. But almost no one knows the real situation. The fact is that 75 percent of available work in the American labor market is composed of managerial positions, and 25 percent in the service sector, where unemployment hardly reaches 1.5 percent. For the most part, illegal aliens are employed in the service sector. They make a substantial contribution to our economy. The country needs them, but, unfortunately, Americans do not acknowledge this. The President was courageous to recognize this, and the IIF strongly supports his position.
Doctor Oleg Gutnik, Republican, leader of PRAVO (a community/political organization):
Within the New York office of Refugees and Immigrants there is a department for "undocumented immigrants,” as illegal aliens are officially called. Two years ago Governor George Pataki appointed me as the coordinator of this department. I also sit on the board of directors of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), so I am not simply familiar with this issue from hearsay. Currently, of the total 10 million illegal immigrants in America, about 80 percent are Mexicans. They come to us through the southern border and mostly work on farms and in factories. They take on the hardest work, which Americans shun. They cannot all be rounded up into deportation centers and sent back; however, the situation can't be left in this indeterminate "underground" position it is in now -- this will bring America nothing except disease and criminality. I am glad that the ice was broken on this issue. I welcome the President's proposal and hope that Congress will pass it. I also hope that clear legislation about "undocumented individuals" will allow us to avoid new flows of illegal migration into our country. This is especially important now, when terrorists attempt to use all loopholes in immigration legislation in order to enter this country.
Irina Niderman, former Director of the European Division of the IIF:
Yes, there are criminals among illegal immigrants. Yes, illegal aliens take jobs from Americans. But among them are many talented, educated people, with good working habits. If we want America to flourish, we must not turn away talented, industrious people. I worked at the International Fund for Immigrants and I know that many immigrants were "illegal" not because they wanted to break the law, but simply because of circumstance. Ignorance of the language, immigration laws, tardy applications, the poor work by the Immigration and Naturalization Service all contribute to this. Unfortunately, attorneys helping people who can extend their visas also can make mistakes! I would approach the problem on a case-by-case basis, as it cannot be solved by a general approach. The government must commit to people who want to work and are capable of benefiting America. At the same time, without question, it is necessary to weed out those people who hate this country and arrive here in order to "run things their way." Bush's project is not entirely clear to me; he himself has not fully thought it through. It's evident that the President needs the support of the Latino voters and this proposal is a nod in their direction. At the same time, the problem requires a solution, and that fact that Bush has attempted to solve it can only be welcomed.
Mark Davidovich, Democratic leader for the 46th Assembly District of New York:
I will address the issue of immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Illegal aliens are a very large problem for our community -- there are several hundred thousand alone in the greater New York area. Among them are people who were able to achieve success, some who are less successful, and finally some are bums and drug users, who can often be seen on the [Coney Island] boardwalk. But we cannot judge the latter group either, or call them lazy. Some individuals are weak, their spirits are easily broken and they lose their way... For us legal immigrants, it was also not easy. We worked hard and we had help from organizations such as New York Association for New Americans (NYANA). I believe that illegal immigration is the entire community’s problem and we must solve it all together. Jewish organizations could help "our" illegal aliens. But first, it would be right for illegal aliens to create their own associations and activist groups.
Natalie Shapiro, publisher and editor of Russian Bazaar newspaper:
The problem of illegal immigrants is difficult and requires a solution, and it is good that President Bush has taken the first step. I support his project. It is wrong to distinguish people simply on the basis of how and in what way they arrived to America. In America there are now many illegal Russian-speaking Jews, including people from Israel. They want to work, but businesspeople cannot hire them. Even I had to turn away undocumented work applicants; it is very unpleasant to have to issue such a severe sentence, to take on the role of a judge. Newspapers always need specialists, as do many other business ... I empathize with "undocumented people" and I am always glad if I can help them legalize their status.
Boris Matiychenko, attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group:
The problem of illegal immigration is complex and multifaceted. As a legal immigrant, I can say that I do not support a blanket amnesty for all illegal aliens. However, it is a different matter when the discussion deals with some categories of people without documents, in particular, with migrants from Mexico, who live here for years, grow roots, work, do not break the law, and some even pay taxes. Certainly, they should not be granted automatic citizenship, but their status should be legalized. Along with this, they should be given priority over other categories of immigrants, such as political refugees. Imagine an individual who arrived here, applied for political refugee status, obtained permission to work, waited for an answer from immigration authorities for years and in the meantime worked, paid taxes, and was a benefit to American society. They are then denied refugee status, possibly due to an inadequate explanation of their problems. This person must then leave the United States, but instead remains here illegally, not contributing a cent to the treasury. This is unjust. However, as far as President Bush’s proposal is concerned, it’s food for though; it’s not catering to the Right or the Left.
Natasha Samus, attorney:
President Bush's proposal does not make me optimistic. It only feeds people with hope, without actually giving them a real chance to remain in America. Even if the proposal is approved by Congress and accepted in its present form, it will only facilitate things for illegal immigrants in the short term. It will allow them to remain, work and pay taxes in the United States for several years (although it is unclear for exactly how long). Then, they must leave. This project benefits Mexicans, who come here across the border in order to earn money, and then return home. But Russian-speaking illegal aliens do not benefit from such an arrangement. Ninety percent of my clients are immigrants from former Soviet republics who arrived on various visas, hoping to settle here and grow roots. The situation of illegal immigrants is very sad; they work hard in order to ensure a normal future for their children. It would be much better for them if the law would grant undocumented persons the possibility to legalize their status, after paying a penalty, if employers solicited their work.
