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It’s Back!  Senate Immigration Bill Rises
from the Dead

June 15, 2007

On June 8, S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, was pulled from the floor of the Senate after supporters failed to cut off debate on a long series of amendments.

Proponents scrambled to cut a deal that would keep the bill alive and President Bush visited Republican senators last Wednesday to galvanize support.  Now that they have reached an agreement, the legislation could come to the Senate floor as early as next week.

“This bill cannot be fixed with amendments,” said IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill. “It attempts to solve the complex immigration issue in one fell swoop and would do immeasurable damage to the wages and living standards of millions of working Americans.  The bill is also a slap in the face of those who have legally pursued a path to citizenship.”

The IBEW’s opposition centers around, but is not limited to, a provision that would create a massive new guest worker program in the United States.  Working in conjunction with the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, the IBEW has argued that construction is an industry where employers have already sought to undercut pay, benefits, safety and skill levels through the use of illegally imported labor.

“This bill is the mirror image of NAFTA and the other one-sided trade deals that our so-called leaders have dumped on American workers,” said President Hill.  “The trade deals sent U.S. jobs overseas; instead, the guest worker program seeks to bring migrant workers into this country who are willing to work for less and afraid to speak up for their rights.  The result will be an exploitation of all workers, immigrant and native-born alike.”

The IBEW urges all members to contact their Senators immediately and urge them to oppose passage of S. 1348. 
To take action, click here

Click here for the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO Web site.

Click here to view CNN’s Lou Dobbs report on the latest version of the Immigration Bill that the Senate will be debating as early as next week.

Click here to read IBEW International President Ed Hills letter to each member of the U.S. Senate on S. 1348 [Note: Senator Akaka is for example only; the letter was personally addressed to each Senator.]