Employers in a fix after the DREAM Act announcement
by Angel - September 26, 2012
DREAM ACT has left the employers in a difficult situation
Obama Administration had announced DREAM Act, according to which young undocumented immigrants will experience a postponement in their deportation for another two years’ time. Such undocumented immigrants who are less than 30 years of age, had come to USA before the age of 16 or so and have been staying here continuously can apply to defer their deportation under this program. Apart from living here, they can also work the way they have been.
When the President ordered the immigration officials not to deport thousands of young illegal immigrants for at least another two years, then the first and foremost he was wearing on his head was the “economic contributions” made by such individuals which can never be denied.
Obama says, “It makes no sense to expel talented young people, who are Americans for all intents and purposes. They want to staff our labs, start new businesses and defend our country. They can’t face the brunt of the mistake made by their parents. ”
Pain in the teeth for employers
Now the big issue lies with the employers of such immigrants. As one of the criteria which ask undocumented employers to prove that they have been staying here continuously, an employer might have to give documents supporting the same. This has become another pain for the employers so they plan to move ahead with caution.
They fear that after two years when these immigrants are deported back, the Immigration Department will probably pull up the employers for hiring illegal immigrants. They fear huge penalties amongst them.
The understanding of the matter reveals that once an illegal immigrant meets up all the criteria mentioned in DREAM ACT, he will be given only a “legal work permit” but not “legal immigrant status”. This again refrains the employers from hiring such people. In fact they are not quite keen on providing them with any legal proof that they were employed at these firms.
Employers are also in a dilemma on the issue that who they would give preference to when it comes to skilled jobs, the Americans or the illegal immigrants who might prove them to be better than the natives. The competition in low skilled market though is quite clear s Americans are least interested in taking up such jobs.
Employers seem to be facing a tough time with the announcement of DREAM ACT.
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