Speech #980009418

continues to oppose any program which would permit importing of foreign labor to undercut U.S. wages and working conditions. "Guestworker" or "bracero" programs are contrary to the interests of American workers. whatever label may be given them. We continue to support the recommendations of the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy that the government. employers and unions should cooperate to end dependence of any industry on a constant supply of temporary foreign workers. to remove current disincentives to hiring U.S. workers. and to maintain labor certification by the U.S. Department of Labor. Any new immigration legislation must maintain and increase the authority and responsibility of the Secretary of Labor to determine in advance that admission of foreign workers will not adversely affect job opportunities. wages. hours. or other conditions of employment for U.S. workers. The AFLCIO will continue to press these and other labor protections along lines endorsed in 1982 by the House Education and Labor Committee. Three immigration programs under present law have an adverse impact on American workers: H1 visas. intended for persons of distinguished merit and ability coming to perform work requiring those qualities. H2 visas. for person coming to perform temporary work for which qualified American workers are not available. and Bi visas. for business visitors. All three have been used improperly by agencies administering the visa program to admit nonimmigrant aliens who do not meet the specified requirements.