Anyone who didn't realistically think workforce shortages would be the result of this standoff are deluded, or communists pushing for higher wages for entry-level employees. Or shrewd Hispanic politicians making a political point at the expense of small businesses. Me? I think borders are usually pretty stupid.
Congressional standoff over immigration overhaul that is punishing employers who play by the rules and that, advocates of change say, could cost small companies billions in lost business.
In an effort to win support for a comprehensive immigration overhaul, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and its allies have blocked voting on legislation that would allow employers to rehire foreign seasonal nonagricultural workers independent of a 1991 quota.
As a result, the government is limited to issuing the 66,000 seasonal work visas set when the visa program, known as H-2B, became law — 33,000 for winter workers and 33,000 for summer workers. Last year, more than 120,000 foreign workers entered the country on H-2B visas.
For Cape Cod, the impact has been devastating. Employers will receive only 15 of the 5,000 visas they had requested, according to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
[snip]
Republicans in Congress have resisted immigration overhaul, insisting that the focus be first on enforcing current laws. The Hispanic Caucus contends that a broad overhaul is needed and that legislation exempting returning foreign workers from the cap on visas should be part of it. [Click to read more details of Businesses Face Cut in Immigrant Work Force - New York Times]
Funny, if it isn't your business that is in a panic, or your town with several newly shuttered businesses, trying to pay a mortgage or two.
