National Work Identification Card

I've been thinking about this for several weeks now. We need a national work identification card. Imagine how much trouble, anguish and pain this would alleviate?  Seriously, we need to consider a two pronged approach to our illegal immigration problem. I will tackle this problem in two blog entries and, although unusual for me, I will present the last step first, I know this may seem strange but I feel very strongly about this entire concept.

I began  thinking about this since a previous blog entry about undocumented workers. The remedy seems so simple to me. In fact, the idea seemed so simple that I worried it could never work. Surely, I feared, the idea was full of flaws. Yet, the whole concept continued to gnaw at me. I believe this proposal has wings. Come, let us reason together.

The fact stands perfectly clear. Hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers live and work among us here in the United States. I know that many of them have broken laws to be here. But you cannot deny the fact that these people now live here, work here and mix among us. You cannot call this an amnesty program. I do not propose we grant citizenship to these workers. In fact, I'm convinced that the people spewing forth errors and misinformation clouds the national debate about this topic. They confuse the idea of citizenship, residency and permission to work. I am advocating permission to work for those living here now.

I propose we begin issuing a national working card (A National Work Permit). We can take photos, finger prints and create a clean looking card with a magnetic strip loaded with information.We will make sure these folk work for some entity here in the US. For example, we will not issue these at the border which would only attract more illegals (we will present our ideas on securing the border in the next blog entry). Those not working do not qualify.I know for a fact, however, that 9 out of the 10 undocumented workers in this country work. They made the perilous journey through the desert, in trucks or by boat in order to find a better life (work). We should continue the policy of deporting those who break the law or will not work. We can create a national data base so that the individuals can be tracked. Most of these people would gladly register, comply with the regulations and continue making their contributions to the social structure and cultural fabric of the United States. I don't claim this idea as an original one. Other countries issue these cards and have great success with the plan. The action would bring order to chaos and organization to the disarray.

Now let's consider something very important. Let's use the Postal Service to achieve this plan. I stewed over who would do this registration and implement the plan. The Postal Service needs a new assignment because snail mail continues to diminish in importance. Soon the Post Office will only have a few postal boxes and package delivery. Introduce a national worker's permit to the mix and the remaining post offices will once again become bee hives of activity. The physical buildings stand conveniently located throughout the country so we need not invest additional resources in offices or stations. We even create jobs in the process.

Now before Labor Unions send someone to introduce me to a freshly made Louisville Slugger, I want to make something perfectly clear: these undocumented workers do not take jobs from hard working Americans! These workers take the jobs hardworking Americans do not want to do. I translate for courts, law enforcement and numerous manufacturing entities in the region. Over the past ten years, time after time plant superintendents, human resource directors and many other employers have repeated a similar statement: "These people will show up, work and do the jobs the locals don't want to do anymore." I've translated in tobacco fields, food processing plants, restaurants, construction sites and lumber mills. These folk do not take American jobs. They do jobs Americans avoid.

Now you have my proposal. Legislators and writers can construct the national bill. The then documented workers can apply for citizenship in the regular way...we won't give it away. We can even issue partial drivers licenses if we wish...so they can drive to work. (Most of the workers walk, use bicycles or take public transportation to get to their jobs now though so the licenses may not be necessary). We issue part-time driving privileges to people caught driving while intoxicated. Seems like a rational move to me to let them take the tests and secure a license if they wish to follow the rules like anyone else.

In any case, let's talk about this. The workers live among us. Yes, I know that we must secure the borders (be watching for the next blog entry). No, don't issue amnesty. Let's register them. Let's find out who lives among us. Let them use their real names, birth dates, and places of birth. We will be happier, safer and all of us can continue to go down to the local Mexican restaurant for an authentic meal. Let's let'em work!