Kansas bill seeks to pair undocumented immigrants, jobs

[alp227]

The Kansas legislature on Thursday introduced a bill that would partner some undocumented immigrants with jobs in industries facing worker shortages.

The Kansas Business, Workers, Communities Partnership Act would create a state program that matches two groups -- local undocumented immigrants who are low-priority for deportation per federal directives, and employers who have trouble finding and keeping employees.

Critics call the bill a nonstarter, arguing that there is no legal way to hire such workers, but the coalition behind the legislation claims they have a creative approach to some of the state's vexing issues.

The bill, HB 2603, comes as state legislatures across the country kick off their sessions for 2012, a year where a number of immigration proposals are expected.

full: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/02/us/kansas-immigrant-jobs-bill/index.html

This bill was introduced by the appropriations committee (full text), chaired by a Republican, Mark Rhoades (Newton, north of Wichita).

Geez. Why is Kansas aiding corporations in committing crimes rather than helping unemployed US citizens living in Kansas? Oh wait, those citizens will UNIONIZE! and demand LIVING WAGES and HEALTH CARE! and SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS! Screw them, the CEO needs to be making 500 times the submissive, frightened cheap labor who will not speak out or else they'll get punted back to Mexico! But at least Kansas didn't tell police to pull over Latinos suspecting them ALL (even if they were born here) of being here ILLEGALLY.

[Yo_Mama]

1. Are there worker shortages in Kansas?

According to the latest BLS figures, unemployment is 6.3%:
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm

Maybe there are worker shortages in some areas, but perhaps this is also an attempt to keep wages down?

[greymattermom]

2. meat packing plants

Yes, there are shortages in meat packing plants. This is why places like Dodge are full of immigrants now. The stockyards still exist, but they've moved out of the major cities. I'm sure your nose has noticed if you haven't.

[markiv]

4. according to Milton Friedman, there is no such thing as a shortage

only a shortage, at a price

[IndyJones]

3. Are unions speaking out against that yet?

I agree, those wages are depressed because the employers pay under the table or pay wages that are less than market so of course they can't fill those spots.