Kansas Immigration Proposals Spark Cries Of Hypocrisy From Democrats

Democrats in Kansas are describing new proposals to recruit undocumented workers for the state's agriculture industry as "hypocrisy" and "profiteering."

Their opposition surrounds proposals from the state Department of Agriculture and the state's business community to make it easier for agricultural-related businesses to recruit undocumented workers to fill positions that advocates say are hard to fill with American citizens. These latest proposals follow rules passed by Gov. San Brownback (R) that prohibit minor American citizens who are the children of undocumented immigrants from receiving food stamps, and assistance from the Kansas secretary of state to Arizona and Alabama in writing controversial immigration legislation.

"The people who will end up supporting this in the Legislature are the people who are against immigration," said state Rep. Mike Slattery (D-Mission). "This is profiteering."

The proposals that Slattery and his fellow Democrats are opposing include a measure being pushed by the Business Coalition, an advocacy group of business organizations and the state's Chamber of Commerce. The measure would allow for the state to support undocumented immigrants seeking permission from the federal government to work in Kansas. The state would also create pools of workers to staff agriculture industries in the western part of the state.

Former State Agriculture Secretary Allie Devine, who represents the Business Coalition, said such a measure would help fill agriculture industry jobs in the half of the state that has less unemployment than other parts of Kansas. Kansas Department of Agriculture statistics have the state's total unemployment rate at 6.5 percent, while the western half is at 4.4 percent. Devine said it has been tough for agriculture-related businesses to recruit workers.

"Being in the middle of the country, we need workers," she said.

The Business Coalition proposal comes days after current Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman said he met with federal homeland security officials about seeking a waiver for the state's agriculture industry in terms of undocumented workers. Rodman's spokeswoman, Chelsea Good, said that the waiver idea came about from Rodman's desire to fill agriculture-related jobs.

Good said that Rodman has not received feedback from the federal government on the waiver request, and said that the agriculture department has not taken a stand on the Business Coalition bill. Brownback and Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) have both come out against the coalition bill. Members of the Business Coalition have traditionally been aligned with Republicans in Kansas. Devine, who represents the coalition, was agriculture secretary in the cabinet of former Gov. Bill Graves (R).

Kansas has had a long history with immigration-related bans, with Kobach working with Arizona and Alabama officials on their legislation. Proposals in Kansas similar to those states' laws failed after a Republican state legislator proposed shooting immigrants from helicopters. The state also regularly considers legislation regarding banning in-state tuition at state colleges for undocumented immigrants who have graduated from Kansas high schools.

Devine said that the Business Coalition has not taken a position on the food stamp legislation already passed in Kansas or other related measures, noting that they have primarily been handled by other groups. She said the group is focused primarily on economic-related issues.

Slattery, the chief Democrat on the House economic development committee, said he and other party members are looking at fairness, noting that state policy prohibits workers compensation for undocumented immigrants. He also said creation of "living wage jobs" for residents was on the Democrats' agenda for year.

"It is the greatest degree of hypocrisy I've seen on this issue," Slattery said. "We want to pay you minimum wage and we will not even give food stamps to your kids, even if they are U.S. citizens."

Comments

[nobodysgirl]

07:57 PM on 02/17/2012

gruv: The old argument that 'we're all immigrants" is used to allow people to sneak in our country. use up resources, break our laws, and over run our cities and towns.

It doesn't fly anymore. This isn't 1900 and our natural resources won't support everyone who wants to come here but won't wait in line.

[nobodysgirl]

07:54 PM on 02/17/2012

Yet those who sneak into our country, demand services like education, health care, housing assistance, etc. are not here "profiteering'?

Once again - the more PC we become, the more we give our country away.

[blvr0n3]

04:19 PM on 03/04/2012

One can tell right away about the stupidity and ignorance of people when we read comments like yours.

[Fred303]

12:02 PM on 02/08/2012

Cut off food for poor children, check.

Tax a little money from a billionaire, hell no.

Other than their exploitation of the shittiest parts of the human soul, I'm really not seeing a reason as to why this party is still hanging around.

[waasi]

02:12 PM on 02/07/2012

Let's have the individuals that are pro illegal sign an affidavit that states only THEY will support them. Better yet, have the illegals demand equal pay scales as Americans, and see how fast that Emma Lazarus crud gets passed by.

[grvz]

08:57 PM on 02/07/2012

wasi The Indians should have done that to your ancestors that were running away from that island in europe you know the one they call england. Oh but wait since they are white and it was a few years ago I guees it was ok for them to cross the biggest ocean in the world to steal land and kill indians.

[waasi]

03:47 PM on 02/10/2012

My ancestors are from Africa: know it none. Find a rake and get to work

[grandprix01]

01:43 AM on 02/17/2012

grvz-Do you realize how ignorant you sound!

[AMF400]

02:31 AM on 02/10/2012

Usually are the states with more money. If the workforce is more competitive and the market pays more, why not ?

[Buffalo1966]

10:01 AM on 02/07/2012

Here's an idea: Start pulling the benefits collected by the 15% of the unemployed. That will force them to "take the jobs Americans won't do." Obviously, this doesn't include the severly disabled, etc, but the vast majority of those in the unemployment number.

Our country starts saving money immediately by not paying out unemployment benefits and social services.

Problem solved.

[grvz]

08:59 PM on 02/07/2012

bufalo that wont work they will either be homeless, start selling drugs or be criminals.

[grandprix01]

01:38 AM on 02/17/2012

If they came here illegally, they are already criminals!

[carrwatt]

05:48 PM on 02/06/2012

ALERT! Tell Senate conference committee to eliminate tax credits given to illegal aliens! http://www.capwiz.com/caps/issues/alert/?alertid=60962811#.TzBNrY2ikgQ.facebook

[American Pride]

10:35 PM on 02/06/2012

Thank you for the information and web link,I will be contacting my State Senator and give him a ear full!

[grvz]

09:04 PM on 02/07/2012

american wanabe, Also send your senator a copy of your favorate book Mein Kamp, Oh wait he probably already has a signed copy from hitler.

[AMF400]

02:35 AM on 02/10/2012

Well maybe you want also refund whatever money they paid on taxes as well.

[papavari]

11:34 AM on 02/06/2012

This article highlights one of the greatest conundrums in our nation's current immigration stalemate: that of securing our borders all the while responding to the labor needs of American agricultural businesses. I agree with the majority of the comments here that rightfully point out the inherent hypocrisy and destructive politics that both parties have been guilty of engaging in with respect to this highly emotional and contentious issue. What this article also demonstrates is the need for a comprehensive immigration policy that takes a holistic approach in restructuring America's current Visa allotment process. Currently, this process does not take into account the needs of the agricultural community. The reality is (as most research has time and again revealed) that most Americans will not fill in those jobs that most low-skilled immigrants assume, particularly if those jobs are in the agricultural industry). These businesses need the labor and this fact cannot be ignored. I happen to be a big fan of the Hispanic Leadership Network's (HLN) immigration policy paper, which is one of the most realistic and common sense proposals out there concerning our broken immigration system. This policy stance looks past mere politics and places the well-being of Americans and immigrants at the fore front. Check out the policy here:
http://hispanicleadershipnetwork.org/2012/01/immigration/

[Michael Kogut]

03:20 PM on 02/05/2012

So, the republicans and democrats want to have their cake and eat it too? The republicans are in favor of cheap labor by the same people they want deported, and the democrats want to make it look like they are in favor of strong immigration policies? Both parties do the same things, play the same twisted games, and lie through their teeth.

[carrwatt]

11:26 AM on 02/06/2012

The Kansans I know do NOT support their hypocrisy! NO illegal alien should be protected, if an employer truly can NOT fill positions, our governemt can then hand out work VISA!

" Obama Administration Announces Initiatives to Attract More Highly-Skilled Foreign Workers
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 12:45 PM EST
The Department of Homeland Security announced a series of reforms that reflect the Obama Administration's continuing commitment to attracting and retaining highly-skilled immigrants. The Administration's new initiatives will lead to increased work permits for foreign workers while 22 million Americans can't find a full-time job."

End this BS, send a FREE fax to your elected officials, otherwise we Americans will continue to be passed over for illegals!! https://www.numbersusa.com/dfax?id=13292

[AMF400]

02:38 AM on 02/10/2012

No, they can't. Go learn a little more and male less propaganda. If Americans born and raised here completely fluent in English can't compete with foreign labor,. THE PROBLEM is not the foreign labor. Wake up and stop blaming others.

[blvr0n3]

04:28 PM on 03/04/2012

Stupid, ignorant people would never stop blaming others for their own mistakes, instead, they would rather die than to accept they are wrong.

[AMF400]

02:37 AM on 02/10/2012

You are right about that Michael.

[rudyg43]

12:43 PM on 02/05/2012

This immigration problem will not go away by itself. Like moths attracted to the flame, people want the riches and freedoms Americans enjoy. The draw here is the riches and good life immigrants enjoy. Many have been here for over twenty years. They have roots here as well as back in their native country. Illegals from all over South America, Central America and Mexico would rather go back home to live, but there is no incentive and the roots they have put down keep many here because of children, grand-children and other holds. The excess monies they earn goes back to help those who couldn't come here. Until the Congress addresses and makes adequate immigration reform to include those with deep roots without tearing families apart and providing workers who would do the work American would not take as in the "Bracero Program", things will not be fixed. Those who exploit immigrants for their own personal gain work to keep the status quo. The people who would do harm to America come here under false pretense, hide in plain site and commit atrocities.

[AllegroTroppo]

01:26 PM on 02/05/2012

After the borders are secured and about 7 more million uninvited trespassers are sent to their home countries, we can begin the discussion about immigrant reform. Not until then.

[nobodysgirl]

08:01 PM on 02/17/2012

Well said. Agree 100% - as does the majority of legal citizens - even democrats like myself.

[grvz]

09:12 PM on 02/07/2012

You mean like Timothy Mcvae ? You know the White guy who was in the millitary who blew up a Federal Building!

[grvz]

05:16 AM on 02/05/2012

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-to­st to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883

[AllegroTroppo]

09:17 AM on 02/05/2012

Things change.

[AMF400]

02:48 AM on 02/10/2012

The more they change, the more they keep the same. We have always exploited and explored all immigrants because they can't stop working. No immigrant stays in the US without work, that's a privilege for naturals.

[jweider]

02:40 PM on 02/05/2012

The welcome mat only applies to invited guests coming in through the front door.
It's not an invitation for burglars to sneak in through the back door and take whatever they want.

[grvz]

09:14 PM on 02/07/2012

jweider I don't think Indians ever invited your ancestors from england! Infact why dont you go back and fix europe your home land because it looks like france , utaly and Grece have quite a few problems.

[AMF400]

02:53 AM on 02/10/2012

Wrong. please come to the west uninvited and build your business with sheer effort and determination, come here without much English, without connections are make your new home out of the effort of your smarts. Then when you past that phase, you will probably understand why this whinnying is what makes America weaker nowadays. We need people who really want to work harder and compete. Immigrants take whatever they want because they want more than you.
You are treating labor like it's a plague.

[grvz]

05:15 AM on 02/05/2012

"The New Colossus" is a sonnet by Emma Lazarus (1849–1887), written in 1883 and, in 1903, engraved on a bronze plaque and mounted inside the Statue of Liberty.
he New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883

[AllegroTroppo]

09:20 AM on 02/05/2012

Yeah, this was the time when THEY had a "teeming shore."
Now OUR shores are equally "teeming."
No mas.

[grvz]

11:44 PM on 02/06/2012

I see so you were ok when people of your kind came here but since your predagist you don't want people of brown skin to be here I see.

[AMF400]

02:54 AM on 02/10/2012

Thank you for the enlightenment.

[2lib4oh]

02:27 AM on 02/05/2012

The Republicans want to use the immigrants when it suits them but discard them when it isn't.
And wants to refuse to feed their children while they profit from the parent's labor as they produce the food for the Republican's children.

Why does this sound like exploitation?

[AMF400]

02:54 AM on 02/10/2012

yes, it is. Bravo.

[FogBelter]

08:48 PM on 02/04/2012

I think the Republicans might be responding to the 11 billion dollar loss that Alabama took by instituting its draconian anti-immigration policy.

"No we want you Illegals, most definitely, we do!"

[gunrunner99]

07:19 PM on 02/05/2012

I dont think they are suffering to much from the loss...
http://bejohngalt.com/2012/01/unemployment-rate-drops-as-illegals-flee-alabama/

[FogBelter]

10:07 PM on 02/05/2012

http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/01/alabama_immigration_law_harmfu.html

[Norm]

08:23 PM on 02/04/2012

The state of Kansas appears to be trying to do what many other states have tried: they are attempting to reduce the costs to the state of foreign labor while simultaneously utilizing it. The state of MA tried to limit foreign nationals from its universal health care program, but a court decision rendered it unable to do that. We should note that is is not just southern states that are trying to save a nickel on the backs of cheap labor; this also occurs in the north.

[paganmist]

06:20 PM on 02/04/2012

A bread vendor works hard to build a stall and start up a bread business. His stall grows to the point where he can't keep an eye on all of the bread. Soon enough, some of the local hungry children start eying the bread, and when his back is turned they run up, grab a loaf, and dash off.

The bread vendor decides to hire guards to protect his bread, but even they can't stop all of the theft. The vendor builds a wall, but walls can be scaled. The vendor spends tons of money on keeping his bread safe from starving children but still can't stop them all. He develops a deep and bitter view towards the children.

One night the vendor is complaining to his wife about these terrible, thieving children. After listening to him complain for hours, she finally says:

"They're starving. Who are you to tell them that what they're doing is wrong, when you'd do the same thing if you were starving? Instead of trying to chastise them into ignoring their human nature, instead of trying to shield your bread from them while they starve outside of the stall walls...

Why don't you use some of our fortune to help them help themselves? In fact, I know they're starving because there's a gang boss that takes everything for himself and leaves their parents with nothing. What if you used your guards and our money to help them overcome this gang boss? They'd be free to make their own bread and fortune and leave ours alone."

The vendor thinks about it for a moment, then shakes his head with a sigh.

"I can't do that," he explains, "That gang boss is a good friend of mine."

[grandprix01]

01:22 AM on 02/17/2012

It is illegal to steal. No one is entitled to what belongs to someone else. It is my responsibility to take care of my children. No one else is responsible of that duty. I did not have more children than I could take care of! It is my choice to give what belongs to me to someone else and no has the right to take from me or to tell me I must give it away. If someone thinks it is ok to come on my property to take what belongs to me, they are in for a rude awakening! If that is not clear enough-they will not be walking away!