Letter: Guest-worker program sounds like amnesty

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 | 7:19 a.m.

With Democrats back in power, the immigration issue, right behind Iraq, becomes a priority. Is this issue about what is truly good for American citizens or is it simply about courting Hispanic votes?

The guest-worker program previously proffered by President Bush and supported to a great degree by Democrats says that those here illegally but seeking the "American dream" must pay a fine and go to the end of the line when applying for citizenship. Just what does end-of-the-line entail? Does this mean, as I suspect, that those here illegally can stay here and continue to work while receiving all the same benefits as those who are here legally?

What about all the foreign nationals who have applied for citizenship, do not reside here and are waiting for entrance to the U.S. and access to our economic opportunity and benefit systems? Shouldn't those who are here illegally return to their native country, the real end-of-the-line, and then apply for their citizenship? And what about those who do become guest workers, who will they become guests of?

If we believe, and I do not, that we really must have hordes of low-skilled, low-wage workers, then shouldn't they be the guest of some employer who agrees to pay for their "guest's" full expenses, including all public education and medical costs?

Unless these issues are resolved properly and fairly in favor of American citizens, then what we will have is an amnesty program all dressed up in guest-worker garb. If this "amnesty" takes place, there will be yet another "guest-worker" program 10 or 20 years down the line. If this is the situation, then maybe we should consider annexing Mexico and get it over with. They do have oil, don't they?

Richard Rychtarik, Las Vegas