- Does anyone know what the process is for Mexican citizens to obtain US work visas?
- Is the process different for other latin american/asian/european citizens trying to obtain work visas in the US?

Thanks for the clarification, trying to formulate an argument
Kevin

I'm not sure about elsewhere, but here in Canada, America treats us like dirt, unless you work for a company that is willing to work something out and pay upwards of $10,000 for a work visa. But for the average Canadian, America treats us like Mexicans. Every time I cross the border alone they ask me if I'm going to work in the U.S. and even after I've told stupid American border officials that I'm a dual citizen AND show proof of that they still ask if I'm going to work, in which case I say no although I do have every right to work in either country, but Americans these days have gotten really stupid and I don't want to get cross with the border officials and then have to sit in that little room all alone with a picture of monkeyfaced George W as my only company.

You just need to apply for a work Visa from the Embassy, but what you really want to do is get your employer to help you deal with the local member of congress and all that to speed things up. I don't think there is any science to how America does things; if you've got the cash and strike up the right connections and know which elected officials to write to than you'll get your work visa.

What do you think of a hypothetical case of anyone being able to apply for a work visa? I am of the opinion that with a greater inflow and outflow of migrant labor participants, any such program could easily pay for itself and help our economy grow by having access to a larger labor pool than would otherwise be available to Fortress America. An additional benefit would be achieved since we would also obtain identification friendly metrics from each applicant.

Also, we would probably not have an illegal red herring to banter about and our politicians would be free to solve more pressing issues.

I haven't done any actual number crunching, but I think wages would either stay the same as they are now, or go up. Working conditions would probably improve and all of the market participants (i.e. Canada and Mexico have the advantage of being next door neighbors) will probably enjoy an increase in standard of living (through improved trade relations).

I agree. If visas to allow for mexicans to come here and work legally could be greatly expanded we'd have the added bonus of being able to do security screenings on applicants + having these people pay taxes and contribute to our country in the same way all of us do. Coupled with competant border security such a program could solve a great deal of immigration problems.

OK, I'm going to "t"of some of you with this stance, but:::''

1. There is no real answer to getting rid of 11 milion Illegals. except to put them to work legally.

2. Allowing them work permits, (with proper IDs), would make them legal. Obviously they would have to pay taxes.

3. Insist that employers asisst in obtaining said permits or suffer legal problems.

4. don't overcharge for them

5. Those who didn't get work permits would still be subject to expulsion

6. Their dependents would be just like other dependents. only we would know who they are.

7. I think this would solve a lot of problems.

What do you folks think??

I wouldn't say stupid, but xenophobic yes. Right now my country is really in a state of fear.

__________________
"A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."
-John Calvin

Including some type of catastrophic insurance coverage would also help reduce any financial burden to the US taxpayer.

Like I said, thats essentially the right stance on the issue. But you have to add to that border security. And what do you mean by "3. Insist that employers asisst in obtaining said permits or suffer legal problems.", do you mean that as an employer I have to go out of my way to find illegal immigrants and drag them over to the local work-visa office and pay for their legal fees? I don't think I understand your point.

Sorry, I thought it was obvious that I was speaking of those who were already employing illegals They would assist THOSE illegals to get their permits.

I was under the impression that having identification friendly metrics would enable more cost effective enforcement of border security. Being able to identify people by their visa document would be simpler than having to issue another form of identification at the border. How much information should we obtain?

Ideally, if there is no employer sponsored benefits component, a form of insurance can be employed that caps the out of pocket expense of the labor market participant and limits costs to the public sector.

Doniston, I still don't understand why companies should be in the business of medling with the legal status of their employees. Either they're employing legals, and all is well, or they're employing illegals, and better hope they don't get caught for paying these people under the table. If a company wants to go the extra step, it should be their own problem, but it sounds like you're suggesting they (the companies) should be forced into playing big brother to their workforce, holding their hands and walking them over to I & N or wherever is appropriate... Isn't it "obvious" that we taxpayers fund the government to coerce us into doing things (some useful, most not) already?

How does that work with private property rights? If an employer conducts business in an at-will employment state, could it be considered a private property right to employ any individuals participating the market for labor?

It is not up to the private sector to enforce federal laws that are already being funded by tax payer dollars.

Kevin, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service has a website that has all the information about this. The big problem with work visas is that there are only a certain number allowed each year for any given country. If they have all been used up then you are wait-listed. You may wait 5 or more years for your visa.

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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.

Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!

Here are a couple of links. One is for the applications and the other is the site that has the 'visa bulletin'....

The bulletin tells you which year had become current. Example, if the year says 2001, that means those who applied in 2001 can now get their visa. It is a wait list system.

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bu...etin_1360.html

__________________

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.

Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!