Dying to Live: Arizona immigration Reform

Dear Janet Napolitano,

We agree with President Bush that it is important that the United States "understand that the Mexican worker has had a positive impact on the US economy and that there ought to be some normalization to the process" (The Arizona Republic, September 5,2001). Please work with your colleagues to pass legislation this year regularizing economic migration. We should recognize the importance of undocumented workers in the US and legalize their presence, regardless of their country of origin. We should do this not only to meet the needs of our dynamic economy but also to provide opportunity for those who deserve it.

Every year hundreds die needlessly on our southern border from thirst, exposure, drowning and violence. Since the inception of a massive border build-up with the implementation of Operation Gatekeeper in 1994, our immigration policies often have a lethal effect upon those whose only crime is to seek to provide for their families. We encourage the de-escalation of the border build-up.

Economic migration between Mexico and the United States has been a largely cyclical phenomenon for more than 150 years. Our policies have wrongly sought to freeze it in place. Many undocumented workers presently in this country would actually prefer to return to their homes and families periodically but dare not because of the danger of crossing the border again. They are also subject to abuse because of their lack of legal status.

This policy is broken and must be fixed. We need immigration reform! No more deaths! We should allow independent worker visas to those who are working in or seek to work in this country legally. These visas should not bind workers to particular employers or economic sectors - such provisions are anti-competitive and lead to abuse. Employer sanctions cause discrimination and should also be abolished. And labor laws should protect all workers equally without regard to nationality or immigration status. Finally, the visas should allow the possibility of adjustment of their status to permanent residence in the future.

Thank you very much for your kind consideration of my views. I look forward to hearing your own and of any progress on this issue.