Comprehensive Immigration Reform Faces First Challenge Next Week

As Congress moves into its summer session, the high profile Senate immigration bill, “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act”, is on pace to be brought to the Senate floor for debate. A product of the “Gang of Eight”, a group of four Democratic senators and four Republican senators, this bill represents a major moment in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform. According to the New York Times, the bill is set to reach the floor by next Monday, and sponsors are hopeful for its passage by July 4^th. However, as the article states, while the bill has received significant exposure in the Senate, the House of Representatives has yet to set even a tentative time to discuss comprehensive immigration reforms. Instead majority leaders have chosen to focus the House’s time on oversight over legislating, specifically focusing on recent scandals facing the Obama Administration.

While the House does not seem primed to discuss comprehensive reform just yet, the Senate bill is comprised of an overwhelming set of reforms that if enacted would as promised overhaul our country’s flawed and broken immigration system. The central rhetoric concerning this bill seems to focus on the provision detailing the extensive and expensive path to citizenship, as well as the bill’s provision on a more secure border security.

However, the real impact of this legislation comes from clauses focusing on the reforms our nation’s visa system. Studies show that well educated immigrants specifically those educated in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math, have a tremendous impact on both economic success and job growth in our nation. In fact the economic benefits are outstanding. For every 100 highly skilled immigrants with advanced degrees in these areas a reported 262 American jobs are created if the degree if from an American university, with 86 additional jobs if the degree comes from either an American or foreign university. The Senate bill acknowledges these positives, and allocates 25,000 new STEM visas. Hopefully this group of individuals, which has given our nation the likes of Google founder Sergey Brin, will ignite a new innovative and more inclusive generation of American prosperity.

Another important part of the bill comes in its reforms and protections to other visa categories. New visa categories focusing on education, family reunification, etc. will help alleviate the congestion problems that our immigration system continually faces. Personal and labor protections will also hopefully entice thousands of foreigners to experience life in the United States through visiting, or through work programs such as the J-1 visa category, which each year brings thousands of excited youths to work and experience culture in the United States. 

Unfortunately this bill’s future is purely speculative. While sponsors believe that it will gain the now necessary sixty votes for passage, the fact is that even if the bill passes the Senate, it is going to face an extremely tough stay in the House of Representatives. The future of comprehensive immigration reform lies in the outcome of this coming debate, and whether or not the legislation shares enough bipartisan support.

The text of this bill and a brief summary can be found here

-Paul Stern, Worker/Immigrant Rights Intern

New “Care is…” Video Series Uses Inspiring PSAs to Gain Support for Home Care System Reforms

The Caring Across Generations movement launched a new video series this past May called “Care is…” in order to inspire viewers of all generations to get involved in the campaign. Partnering with actors Josh Young, Adepero Oduye, Kathleen Chalfant, and Micki Grant, the “Care is…” video series contains four PSAs, each portraying a fictional story that was inspired by a collection of interviews with active Caring Across Generations members. The message of the video series is that everyone shares a universal responsibility to care for our seniors and for our loved ones who are living with disabilities. In addition, the video series further helps to promote the mission of the Caring Across Generations movement, which is that in order to provide and sustain quality care for our loved ones, we need a qualified workforce that is respected and protected. Quality care and an improved home care workforce affect people of all generations, not just our seniors and home care workers. We have a responsibility to support and protect our parents, grandparents, and other aging loved ones, as well as those living with disabilities. Therefore, it is also our responsibility to improve the home care workforce, so that the proper care is available when our family members need it. Furthermore, the younger generations must realize that in order to receive proper care when they are older, reformations in the care system must begin now.

On the site for the new campaign, the Caring Across Generations movement asks, “Right now, millions of families are dealing with the complicated and expensive prospect of securing needed care for loved ones as they age or live with disability – is your family ready?” This overarching question, in addition to the videos, establishes a relatable feeling in every one of its viewers. More likely than not, one’s answer to this question is “no.” Currently, approximately 10 million adults do not get the home care support they need, while another member of the baby boomer generation turns 65 every 8 seconds. At this rate, America is expected to need 1.6 million additional direct care workers by 2020. But how can we expect to acquire 1.6 million new care workers in less than 7 years when the current home care workforce faces low wages, few benefits, high turnover, and a high level of job stress and hazards?

The growing fear that these statistics and facts evoke in every one of us proves just how important it is to act now. Caring Across Generations fights for fair wages, the ability to have sick days, and an elimination of abuse and exploitation by bosses for the home care workforce. Simultaneously, Caring Across Generations seeks to ensure that increased costs from raising wages and improving benefits do not lead to reductions in services to consumers. It is an effort to make quality care available to all elders and people living with disabilities, while not exploiting the services of the home care workers.

To watch the inspiring video series, go to: http://www.caringacross.org/. In order to support the movement, click on the “Join the Movement” link that appears at the end of any of the four videos, or simply go to http://www.caringacross.org/action/join/.

– Brianna Gallo, Health Care/Disability Policy and Advocacy Intern