In a recent meeting the Mountain Parks Unit of
the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County began to look at the
immigration issue. The League does not yet have a position on this
issue at the local, state or national level. Mountain Parks members
were taking advantage of an opportunity, which allowed them to
choose a topic for discussion at this meeting.
As this topic is so broad, it was decided to
focus first on the undocumented immigrant worker. Participating in
a workshop format, Mountain Parks Leaguers divided into groups to
consider five dilemmas posed by the undocumented immigrant worker.
The situations discussed follow:
- Employers who hire undocumented workers without fear of
reprisal for failing to determine their legal status.
- Ethical questions such as consumers' benefiting from the
services of low-paid undocumented workers.
- Low pay and abuse of undocumented workers who live under the
constant threat of deportation.
- Deterioration of neighborhoods due to the presence of unwanted
worker pick-up places, loitering, and presence of numerous persons
regarded as "undesirable".
- A Mexican student had earned a business degree, married a U.S.
citizen, and established himself in a promising career, but had
allowed his student visa to expire. He is subject to deportation,
regardless of his marriage to a U.S. citizen and fears any attempt
to obtain legal status will result in deportation.
The ensuing discussion raised more questions
than resolutions. In the case of an employer failing to check legal
status, Leaguers wonder who is accountable for determining the
status of suspected undocumented workers. If it is the
responsibility of employers, why isn't it enforced? When consumers
pay for services "under the table", should they be accountable? If
not, who? What recourse do undocumented workers have when employers
treat them unfairly or abuse them? with respect? Who enforces
deportation of illegal aliens? It seems immigration authorities are
lax and ineffective on this issue. To what extent should local law
enforcement be involved? What arrangements can be made to find a
place for worker exchanges, suitable gathering places, and other
social services for persons who have "no place to go"? And, in the
last dilemma, Leaguers also want to know what steps are involved in
moving from "visa" status to "naturalization" status. How long does
it take and how much does it cost? Shouldn't the person holding the
visa know the regulations governing it?
Mountain Parks Leaguers have been planning this
discussion topic for months. Marcie Dahlen and Barbara Morton
gathered a great deal of information for discussion and planned the
format of the meeting. The timing could not have been better.
Although immigration is a national issue, it is hoped that the
Jefferson County League of Women Voters will take a more in depth
look at this issue in the next session beginning in September and
that the Colorado State League may be persuaded to take up the
issue for a state study.
Information on past discussion topics and
general information about the League of Women Voters of Jefferson
County can be found on the website,
www.lwvjeffco.org. Future topics should be posted later in the summer. Join us
for information on this and many other issues. Membership is open
to anyone, male or female, age 18 or over. Please contact the
League office with questions, 303-238-0032.
Article co-written by Barbara Morton and Karen
Murphy