The topic on the table recently concerning illegal immigratants and Visitor Work Visas has been on everyone’s tongue. This is a topic concerning all people residing in the United States as well as the neighboring countries. The question as to what to do over the influx of illegal immigrants has long been a topic of heated discussion in the States where the influx has weighed heavily on the social system as well as the effects it has had on the private sector. So what are the relevant options concerning illegal immigrants as well as the impact on the Hispanic community as a whole?

For a very long time, even since the foundation of the country, immigration has been the driving force behind our success as a country and I think no one would debate it is that which has made this country great. The same could be said though of our neighboring countries as well. Hispanics, for many years, have been streaming into the United States in search of a better livelihood. Many of these immigrants have made positive contributions to society as a whole and have brought with them some enriching qualities that have strengthened our nation. Generations of immigrants from not only Latin American countries but from overseas and Canada too have brought ideals and qualities that we have all benefited from. So is there an easy answer to this dilemma we now face?

Let us consider for a moment the prospect of allowing immigrants to come as visitor to work. The increase in taxes for legal worker would surely benefit us all. There would also be tighter control on the work laws in industries which thrive on low wages that draws only illegal’s, as the hours, pay and work situation raises questions to legality as well as human rights concerns. If in fact these industries would offer fair wages and reasonable work conditions the need and lure of illegals would dissipate, as those jobs would become more desirable to those who are legally entitled to work within the United States. The cost of goods produced by these companies would of course increase but the demands of the nation to control illegal’s influx would then lay the burden upon themselves to pay the bills of hiring legal citizens or those who enter under a visiting work visa.

Many companies in the past due to these restrictions moved manufacturing to countries where the restrictions are lessened in the past. The cry went out then to have these jobs moved back to the States to create jobs. When this occurred, the prices of products went up and consumers demanded lower costs of goods. Some of the companies turned to those same employment sources yet this time within the borders of the country there by giving the visage of compliance yet in fact were simply carrying on the same manner of operation in the boundaries of our country. With low wages and sometimes inhuman and unsafe work environments for workers, only the most desperate of employees have taken these jobs. The majority of the work force coming from illegal immigrants or those who have found assimilating into the culture difficult.

These issues should be approached but with caution as the costs of this request will surely have far-reaching consequences that many have not considered, or at the most have not been placed upon the table for consideration. As companies work to create the greatest profit for the items the sell, the grave possibility of jobs moving back overseas is a real and dangerous prospect. With the loss of these jobs, whether held by illegal immigrants or visiting workers under a visa program will mean a loss of consumption in the United States as well as loss of taxes levied on the purchase goods and services by these workers.

With so much work previously having gone into the N.A.F.T.A. program, it seems a step backwards to deny our neighboring countries the opportunity to work in our country. The fact the by uniting our resources as neighbors would strengthen our region is undeniable. The only question really is how to go about fairly to protect our jobs as well as enhance the lives and promote a stronger continental community at the same time. With some many resources at our disposal as well as being young countries compared to many of the other nations of power, we have the opportunity to look to history for lessons and make a new way of regionalizing economics while protecting our interests. The interests of all parties concerned.