Both Sides of the Issue / Political Stands The Issue Many illegal aliens are working "off the books" in the United States in low level jobs. They risk being caught, detained and deported. They often live in fear. Their rights are not protected by labor laws. Furthermore, certain industries, including farming, are desperate for workers and cannot get Americans for the jobs. The Bush Administration has proposed a temporary guest worker program to solve some of these problems. Latest NewsPresident Bush asked Congress in a State of the Union address to "reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary-worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing employers when no Americans can be found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our economy, because employers will find needed workers in an honest and orderly system. A temporary-worker program will help protect our homeland, allowing border patrol and law enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security." As of 2006, the guest worker program continues to face strong opposition and controversy.
BackgroundThe issue of what to do about illegal immigrants is age old. The quandry of how to match willing workers with farmers and other employers is also far from new. A migrant worker program was proposed in 2000, but that was not the first time lawmakers have had such an idea. In recent years, the Mexican people have pressured their president to seek improvements in immigration policy with the U.S. During his first term, Bush, in an attempt to improve relations with Mexico, promised Mexico President Fox that he would propose a guest worker program, which he did. President Fox was happy, as were some Mexicans who still live in Mexico.
Very interesting, little known details: Mexico banned foreign investment in its energy industry back in 1938. Since that time, Mexican oil production has been controlled by the ineffective, polluting and corrupt state monopoly, Pemex. If Mexico opened itself to the exploration and development of its oil resources by American entrepreneurs and technology, Mexican oil might someday displace Arab oil from the U.S. market altogether. Of course, before Mexico agrees to anything like this, the United States might need to make some immigration reforms. And this could explain why Bush has betrayed some of his conservative supporters, proposing a new guest worker program favoring Mexican laborers.
On the Canadian Web Side:
A Guide for Americans Emigrating to CanadaLearn what it takes to move across the northern borderFor those of you who wish to emigrate to Canada, we put together this guide that explains the different immigration categories, requirements, how to prepare the immigration process without a lawyer, including links to the official immigration Web site of the Canadian government. Good luck! Classes for Entering Canada
There are six classes of immigration for permanent residency applicants, and three non-immigration categories for people who wish to temporarily work in, study in or visit Canada. In this guide, we focus on the immigration categories only, non-immigration categories will be explained in a future guide.
Classes of Immigration
The six classes are: Skilled Worker Class, Business Class, Provincial Nomination, Family Class Immigration, International Adoption, and Quebec-Selected Immigration.
Skilled Worker: According to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Web site (official government Web site), "Skilled workers have education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French and other abilities that will help them to establish themselves successfully as permanent residents in Canada." The selection process is based upon a points system, and in order to be eligible as an applicant for the skilled worker class, you have to reach the pass mark of 67. There are six selection factors that are allotted a certain number of points. The factors are:
Education Official Languages Experience Age Arranged Employment in Canada Adaptability The minimum work experience requirements for skilled workers are:
At least one year of full-time work experience. You must have been paid for this work. Your work experience must be in the category of Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC). Find your job title in the NOC list for full-time jobs you've had in the past ten years, and write down the four digit code. Make sure your work experience does not fall into the category of restricted occupations, for then you won't qualify for the skilled worker class. As of February 2005, there were no restricted occupations listed. Language skills: Prove your proficiency in one or both of Canada's official languages, English and French, by either taking a "test by an approved organization," or "provide other written documentation that supports your claim."
Proof of funds: you have to be able to support your family for six months after arriving in Canada, for the government will not support newly arrived skilled workers. The minimum amount for a single person is $9,897 Canadian dollars, $12,372 for two persons, and so on. Find the complete list here. If you already have a job arranged in Canada, you don't need to prove availability of funds.
If you want to find out whether you qualify as a skilled worker or not, take the self-assessment test here.
Finding Work
How quickly you will be able to find work in Canada depends on the job market in your field, your credentials and whether you will have to be licensed or not, among other criteria. A good way to start your search is by going to job banks and other online job services; the CIC Web site lists several links that will also inform you about the labor market, job requirements and local and regional conditions in the different provinces and territories. The CIC recommends having your credentials, i.e. diplomas, degrees, certificates etc., evaluated in order to compare to Canadian standards. Find out how to assess your credentials here. Be aware that a credential evaluation does not guarantee recognition of your credentials by a Canadian governing body. You might have to take additional assessments once you're in Canada, or get licensed to practice in your field by a Canadian regulatory body.
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