lesser evil? the democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
TRANSCRIPT
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8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
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Robert D. Skeels
Professor Javier Lopez-Perez, Esq.
U.S. Immigration La
!a" #, $%#&
Lesser Evil' ()e Demo*rats an+ immigration poli*" in t)e era of neoliberalism
Dring a $%# intervie it) a )ig)-prole politi*ian, /ornalist 0)ristiane
1manpor pose+ t)e qestion of )at to +o abot t)osan+s of n+o*mente+,
na**ompanie+ minors. Unilling to anser t)e qestion, t)e politi*ian +issemble+.
1manpor persiste+, an+ aske+ point-blank 2s)ol+ t)e" be sent ba*k'3 ()e
politi*ian4s nativism-la+en response as breat)taking, *onsi+ering t)at t)e" ere
+is*ssing refgee *)il+ren likel" qalif"ing for as"lm5
6t e )ave so to sen+ a *lear message, /st be*ase "or *)il+ gets a*ross
t)e bor+er, t)at +oesn4t mean t)e *)il+ gets to sta". So, e +on4t ant to
sen+ a message t)at is *ontrar" to or las7#
()is *allos statement ma" seem t)e +omain of rea*tionar" Repbli*ans. Instea+
it as ma+e b" t)e Demo*rati* Part"4s $%#& presi+ential ra*e front rnner, 8illar"
0linton, )ose r)etori* on immigration is freqentl" in9ammator". :)ile Demo*rats
)ave tra+itionall" en/o"e+ spport of immigrant rig)ts grops an+ lea+ers)ip of t)ose
grops, t)eir re*or+ on immigration isses is +ismal. 1++itionall", m*) of t)e orst
mo+ern immigration poli*ies an+ enfor*ement )ave o**rre+ si+e b" si+e it) t)e rise
of neoliberalism. 8ere e ill e;amine some of t)e ke" Demo*rats, an+ t)eir roles in
#
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R.D. Skeels $
imposing +ra*onian immigration enfor*ement. :e ill also e;plore )o t)e +eman+s
of neoliberalism +rive bot) )ars)er an+ e;ploitative immigration poli*ies, an+
e;a*erbate t)e ne*essit" of peoples to migrate.
Contours of neoliberalism shape modern immigration policy
2(aking neoliberalism as t)e mo+ern term +es*ribing t)e 2:as)ington 0onsenss3
poli*ies of +ereglation, asterit", an+ privatization3 e )ave t)e frameork in )i*)
to +is*ss immigration poli*" for t)e past several +e*a+es.$ :)ile at)or 0)ris
Le)mann i+enties Jimm" 0arter as t)e rst Presi+ent to a+opt neoliberal e*onomi*
poli*ies, t)is srve" ill not go ba*k t)at far.> !oreover, +espite neoliberalism being a
bipartisan pro/e*t, or fo*s is on t)e Demo*rats. 6or+er barrier alls, so-*alle+ 2free
tra+e3 agreements, ork visa qotas, +etention *enters, an+ ot)er s*) isses
srron+ing immigration are all interrelate+ it), an+ +riven b", neoliberal poli*".
!*) immigration itself is +riven b" neoliberalism, as Jstin 1kers 0)a*?n rites5
!o+ern immigration is motivate+ b" t)e same )man +esires for
sstenan*e, e;a*erbate+ b" t)e +estabilizing effe*ts of global *apitalism,
alt)og) t)e +ebate is often 2nationalize+3 b" immigration opponents to
+eprive it of t)is essential *onte;t. 0orporate *apitalism, also *alle+
neoliberalism b" its +etra*tors, +i*tates t)at state poli*" +e*isions favor
protabilit" over so*ial sstainabilit"@t)e interests of *orporations an+
investors over t)ose of orkers, in+igenos peoples, t)e orl+4s poor,
an+ t)e environment.
$
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R.D. Skeels >
:e ill retrn to t)e relations)ip beteen neoliberalism an+ mo+ern
immigration poli*ies, bt rst e ill e;amine poli*ies in a*tion as pra*ti*e+ b"
Demo*rati* politi*ians )o *)ampion neoliberal i+eolog". r narrative begins it)
#CC, a "ear )en +eat)s from immigration strategies it) 2names like peration
atekeeper, peration Safegar+, Fan+G peration 6lo*ka+e3 began to sk"ro*ket.A
Bill Clinton
6ill 0linton be*ame Presi+ent on t)e )eels of attempts to stem immigration from
!e;i*o t)rog) strategies in*l+ing t)e Immigration Reform an+ 0ontrol 1*t
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R.D. Skeels
)ars)er senten*es, an+ in*rease+ *ases for removabilit".C 6ill ng 8ing +is*sses t)e
earl" a+ministration5 2F1G "ear after Presi+ent 6ill 0linton took of*e, t)e 6oar+ Patrol
embarke+ on a strateg" of *ontrol t)rog) +eterren*e4 t)at )as proven +ea+l".3#%
La"ing ot t)e )istor" of )o peration atekeeper *ame into being, 8ing +etails )o
t)e fo*s of t)e efforts as to prevent *rossing in )ig)-visibilit" areas of San Diego,
it) some A$ miles of fen*ing stret*)ing from Imperial 6ea*) to t)e ta" !ontains.
()is for*e+ migrants to attempt *rossing in signi*antl" more +angeros regions. !ore
o+ios is t)at gi+an*e for man" of t)ese efforts *ame from ()e Department of
Defense4s 0enter for Lo Intensit" 0on9i*ts@in essen*e, 0linton as aging ar on
+efenseless migrants.##
(o+a" t)e 0lintons tr" to +onpla" t)e militarism an+ s)eer aggressiveness of
t)eir +eterren*e strategies, bt as 1+riana !aestas rites, 2F+Gring )is re-ele*tion
*ampaign against Senator 6ob Dole, t)e 0linton *ampaign even ran an a+ )ig)lig)ting3
t)e )ars) immigration las of )is a+ministration.#$ ()e )man toll of 0linton4s poli*ies
*annot be overstate+. 8ing, after +emonstrating t)at t)ese poli*ies +i+ not re+*e t)e
nmber of n+o*mente+ persons entering, makes t)e folloing statement before
+is*ssing t)e nmber of mortalities5
0ertainl", sot)est bor+er *ontrol ala"s )a+ an evil, ra*ist +ark si+e,
it) its targeting of !e;i*an migration +ring a t)irt"-"ear perio+ )en
!e;i*an ma+e p far less t)an )alf t)e n+o*mente+ poplation in t)eUnite+ States. 8oever, t)e trage+" of atekeeper is t)e +ire*t link of its
C ()e mo+ern immigration term
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R.D. Skeels A
prevention t)rog) +eterren*e strateg" to an absoltel" )orren+os rise
in t)e nmber of +eat)s among bor+er-*rossers )o ere for*e+ to
attempt entr" over terrain t)at even t)e IKS kne to present 2mortal
+angers3 +e to e;treme eat)er *on+itions an+ rgge+ terrain.#>
8ing, )ose aters)e+ book is no over a +e*a+e ol+, rote5 2()e nmber of
migrant +eat)s in*rease+ &%% times from #CC to $%%% a nmber t)at *ol+ be
attribte+ to peration atekeeper73# !aestas, *iting a $%# sor*e, states5 2Sin*e
peration atekeeper as implemente+, it is estimate+ t)at over &,&%% migrants )ave
+ie+ on t)e US si+e of t)e sot)ern bor+er, an+ t)e remains of anot)er #,%%% migrants
)ave been ni+entie+.3#A
0linton4s bor+er poli*ies ere onl" one fa*et of )is a+ministration4s neoliberal
approa*) to immigration. ()e previosl" mentione+ 1ntiterrorism an+ Effe*tive Deat)
Penalt" 1*t
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R.D. Skeels &
ten+en*" to +isproportionatel" pnis) t)e poorest of n+o*mente+ immigrants, an+
opene+ t)e +oor to frt)er ra*ial proling of peoples, )o, as 8ing sa"s, 2are regar+e+
as otsi+e t)e *onstr*tion of real 1meri*ans b" man" in t)e mainstream.3#B ()is last
aspe*t )as )a+ lasting *onseqen*es as !aestas e;plains5
2()e $BH
$# =
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R.D. Skeels H
Presi+ent as 1fri*an-1meri*an *ase+ man" to t)ink t)at )e ol+ be far more
s"mpat)eti* to t)e plig)t of n+o*mente+ peoples t)an )is pre+e*essors. ()ese )opes,
it ol+ trn ot, ere mispla*e+.
Barack Obama
!an" assme+ t)at as a person of *olor, Presi+ent 6ara*k bama ol+ be more
sensitive t)an )is *onterparts to t)e ra*ism n+erl"ing U.S. immigration poli*ies.
Lan*e Selfa +etails )o bama pla"e+ on t)ose e;pe*tation )ile rnning for of*e in
$%%B b" assring Kational 0on*il of La Raza
Oor s, t)is presi+ent )as been t)e +eporter-in-*)ief.
1n" +a" no, t)is 1+ministration ill rea*) t)e to million mark for
+eportations. It is a staggering nmber t)at far otstrips an" of )is
pre+e*essors an+ leaves be)in+ it a ake of +evastation for families a*ross
1meri*a.
!an" grops, in*l+ing K0LR, )ave long been *alling on t)e
presi+ent to mitigate t)e +amage of t)ese re*or+ +eportations.$
$$ Oor more on t)is p)rase see5 In*iteQ :omen of 0olor 1gainst iolen*e
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R.D. Skeels B
bama earne+ )is 2+eporter-in-*)ief3 epit)et b" bil+ing on 0linton4s
aggressive enfor*ement apparats, )ile simltaneosl" e;pan+ing eorge :. 6s)4s
srveillan*e state, an+ sing t)is potent *ombination against immigrants on a s*ale
never before seen. Selfa +is*sses some of t)e a+ministration4s poli*ies, +ring t)e rst
term alone5
Un+er t)e Department of 8omelan+ Se*rit"4s 2Se*re 0ommnities3
program, lo*al poli*e agen*ies forar+ t)e ngerprints of all appre)en+e+
people to Immigration an+ 0stoms Enfor*ement %%. In 1gst $%#% bama signe+ a si;-)n+re+-
million-+ollar 2bor+er se*rit" bill3 t)at in*l+es a++ing #,A%% more
6or+er Patrol agents, *stoms inspe*tors, an+ ot)er la enfor*ement
of*ers at t)e bor+er, as ell as nmanne+ aerial 2+rones.3 6" September
$%##, t)e bama a+ministration )a+ +eporte+ more t)an one million
n+o*mente+ people, *ompare to t)e #.AH million t)e 6s)
a+ministration +eporte+ in its fll eig)t-"ear term.$A
:)ile t)e overall gres on4t be available ntil bama4s se*on+ term en+s, t)ere*or+ nmbers of removals an+ retrns *ite+ above *an be agmente+ it) more
re*ent gres. 1**or+ing to The Washington Posts P)ilip 6mp 2Un+er bama, t)e
nmber of +eportations t)rog) $%# )it a ne )ig) @ )ile t)e nmber of retrns is
$A =
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R.D. Skeels C
loer t)an at an" point sin*e t)e Oor+ a+ministration.3$& bama )as alrea+" e;*ee+e+
t)e to million +eportation mark t)at K0LR4s !rga e;presse+ *onsternation over,
an+ *ontines to pa+ t)at nmber as )is a+ministration in+s +on its last "ear.
Selfa4s mention of t)e Se*re 0ommnities program arrants +is*ssion of
anot)er prominent Demo*rati* politi*ian )o serve+ as bama4s Se*retar" of
8omelan+ Se*rit", namel" Janet Kapolitano. Likel" *)osen for t)e post be*ase of )er
)ar+line stan*e on immigration evi+en*e+ )ile s)e as overnor of 1rizona,
Kapolitano pla"e+ a ke" role all of bama4s +ra*onian enfor*ement programs, an+
oversa t)e +eportations +ring bama4s rst term. S)e as rear+e+ it) t)e
Universit" of 0alifornia
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R.D. Skeels #%
Instea+, it offere+ peration 6or+er ar+ian, a grossl" misname+
immigration-enfor*ement srge t)at ent after people t)is *ontr" +i+
not nee+ to gar+ against. It began in Janar" an+ laste+ a mont), bt its
+amage is still being felt. 1mong its tens of t)osan+s of targets ere
more t)an >%% re*ent migrants from 0entral 1meri*a, "ot)s )o *rosse+
t)e bor+er it)ot t)eir parents an+ trne+ #B in t)e Unite+ States, t)s
losing some of t)e prote*tions grante+ to na**ompanie+ minors. 1fter
t)e" lost t)eir *ases to in as"lm or ot)er prote*tion an+ ere or+ere+
+eporte+ b" immigration *orts, Immigration an+ 0stoms Enfor*ement
)nte+ t)em +on.$C
1s ab/e*t as t)e bama a+ministration )as been on immigration, t)is last isse is ver"
m*) of interest sin*e man" of t)e *)il+ren seeking as"lm are es*aping *ontries t)at
ere +estabilize+ b" bama4s U.S. Department of State. ()is brings s fll *ir*le to t)e
Demo*rat )ose infamos qote )ea+s t)is essa"@Se*retar" of State 0linton.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
0linton4s long *areer, an+ mltiple roles in government )ave affor+e+ )er opportnities
to affe*t immigration poli*" as fe ot)ers. 1s s*), it is +if*lt to +is*ss )er impa*t
it)ot a +egree of overlap beteen )er roles as Oirst La+", U.S. Senator, Presi+ential
*an+i+ate
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R.D. Skeels ##
na**ompanie+ minor aliens.
0linton4s Liberal spporters freqentl" *)afe against asso*iating )er it) )er
)sban+4s poli*ies, bt as 1le;an+er rites 26t 8illar" asn4t pi*king ot *)ina )ile
s)e as rst la+". S)e bravel" broke t)e mol+ an+ re+ene+ t)at /ob in a"s no
oman ever )a+ before. S)e not onl" *ampaigne+ for 6ill s)e also iel+e+ poer an+
signi*ant in9en*e on*e )e as ele*te+, lobb"ing for legislation an+ ot)er measres.3>%
In+ee+, if 8illar" 0linton +i+n4t fll" spport 6ill 0linton4s immigration poli*ies, s)e
)as )a+ over to +e*a+es to +emonstrate it one a" or anot)er. Rat)er, )er on votes,
a*tions, an+ poli*" a+vo*a*" in+i*ate t)at s)e is even frt)er to t)e rig)t on
immigration t)an most Demo*rats. !aestas otlines some fairl" *ommon 0linton votes
an+ positions5
1s a senator, 8illar" 0linton vote+ for t)e Se*re Oen*e 1*t of $%%&, )i*)
began *onstr*tion of a all along t)e US-!e;i*o bor+er. In Kovember
)ile *ampaigning in Ke 8amps)ire, 0linton sai+, 2I vote+ nmeros
times )en I as a senator to spen+ mone" to bil+ a barrier to tr" to
prevent illegal immigrants from *oming in, an+ I +o t)ink t)at "o )ave
to *ontrol "or bor+ers7
In $%%H, Senator 0linton spporte+ t)en-overnor Eliot Spitzer4s
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R.D. Skeels #$
:)ile 0linton freqentl" mo+lates )er r)etori*al positions, it is more t)an s)e
is generall" to t)e rig)t of most of )er fello Demo*rats. Instea+, s)e is often to t)e
rig)t of man" Repbli*ans on immigration isses. E;emplar" is t)is $%% nespaper
passage5 2Sen. 8illar" Ro+)am 0linton is staking ot a position on illegal immigration
t)at is more *onservative t)an Presi+ent 6s)3.>$ ()is as not a 9ke, t)e self-
pro*laime+ 2ol+ater irl3 )as *onsistentl" )el+ )erself ot as being tog)er t)an
Repbli*ans on immigration an+ )as *rafte+ a message t)at essentiall" tars all
immigrants as being possible terrorists. 0onsi+er t)e latter part of t)is passage5 2In an
intervie on :160 ra+io, s)e sai+, I am, "o kno, a+amantl" against illegal
immigrants,4 an+ in an intervie on Oo; Kes s)e a**se+ 6s) of not +oing enog) to
prote*t or bor+ers an+ ports43.>> 1kers 0)a*?n rig)tl" i+enties t)is strateg"@one
t)at 0linton )as mastere+5 2t)e Demo*rati* Part" )as not onl" ma+e inning t)e ar
on terrorism4 its *larion *all, bt it is also responsible for )elping to s)ift t)e +ebate to
t)e bor+er.3> ()e nparallele+ ne;s of +omesti* la enfor*ement, barriers, in*rease+
bor+er patrol, an+ so-*alle+ 28omelan+ Se*rit"3 bon+ b" poli*ies in*l+ing Se*re
0ommnities is somet)ing t)at 0linton )as a+vo*ate+ for +ring )er *areer. !aestas
+eftl" sms t)is p5 2Demo*rats like t)e 0lintons )ave *)ampione+ get tog)4 poli*ies
t)at )ave bolstere+ brea*ra*ies an+ enterprises A
0linton4s tenre as Se*retar" of State pla*e+ )er in a niqe position )ere )er
involvement it) t)e affairs of ot)er states@freqentl" in Latin 1meri*a@fon+ )er
pla"ing a role in *reating )manitarian *rises t)at le+ to in9;es of n+o*mente+
>$ > $=> A
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R.D. Skeels #>
peoples. ()e 1manpor qestion regar+ing n+o*mente+, na**ompanie+ minors is
parti*larl" +istressing )en one *onsi+ers )at 8ing rites5
8on+ras, )ere t)e largest nmbers of na**ompanie+ minors are
*oming from, )as be*ome one of t)e most +angeros *ontries in t)e
orl+. In $%##, 8on+ras be*ame t)e *ontr" it) t)e )ig)est mr+er
rate in t)e orl+. 8omi*i+e rates in El Salva+or are onl" marginall" loer
t)an in 8on+ras, it) && in+ivi+als kille+ for ever" #%,%%%
in)abitants.>&
()e reason 8on+ras is as +angeros as 8ing frames it is be*ase of t)e $%%C *op
+4Ttat t)at o**rre+ it) material spport from 0linton4s State Department. 0linton
ol+ t)en ai+ an+ abet t)e golpistas in *onsoli+ating poer via a s)am ele*tion.>H
0linton no +enies )er *riti*al role in *op, to t)e e;tent t)at s)e )as )a+ a ta*it
a+mission of spport for it remove+ from t)e paperba*k version of )er memoirs, an+
re*entl" +issemble+ abot it in an intervie it) !emo%ra%y No"4s Jan onzales. Dana
Orank, listening to t)at intervie, e;*oriate+ 0linton on )er revisionism5
I /st ant to sa" t)is is like breat)taking t)at s)e4+ sa" t)ese t)ings. I
t)ink e4re all kin+ of reeling t)at s)e ol+ bot) +efen+ t)e *op an+
+efen+ )er on role in spporting its stabilization in t)e aftermat). I
mean, rst of all, t)e fa*t t)at s)e sa"s t)at t)e" +i+ it legall", t)at t)e
8on+ras /+i*iar" an+ 0ongress +i+ t)is legall", is like, o), m" go+, /st
min+-boggling. ()e fa*t t)at s)e t)en is going to sa" t)at it as not an
n*onstittional *op is in*re+ible, )en s)e a*tall" )a+ a *able, t)at e
>&
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R.D. Skeels #
)ave in t)e :ikiLeaks, in )i*) U.S. 1mbassa+or to 8on+ras 8go
Llorens sa"s it as ver" *learl" an illegal an+ n*onstittional *op. So
s)e knos t)is from +a" one. S)e even a+mits in )er on statement t)at it
as t)e 8on+ran militar", t)at s)e sa"s, ell, t)is as t)e onl" t)ing
t)at as rong t)ere, t)at it as t)e militar" t)at took ela"a ot of t)e
*ontr", as oppose+ to some)o t)at it as an illegal t)ing e +i+@t)at
t)e 8on+ran government +i+, +eposing a presi+ent.>B
()e reslting *)aos of t)e *op, )i*) le+ to an, as Orank sa"s, 2almost *omplete
+estr*tion of t)e rle of la in 8on+ras3, is a ma/or fa*tor in t)e in9; of
n+o*mente+ *)il+ren.>C 8ing provi+es a++itional evi+en*e of )" so man"
na**ompanie+ minor refgees 9ee5 2C$% 8on+ran *)il+ren ere mr+ere+ beteen
Janar" an+ !ar*) of $%#$3.% 8e t)en +is*sses )o man" Latin 1meri*an refgee
*)il+ren fall vi*tim to )man an+ +rg traf*king rings, an+ lastl" smmarizes t)e
n+ings of a Immigrant Legal Resor*e 0enter of immigrant srve"5
(ent"-ve per*ent of respon+ents fon+ t)at "ot) *ome to t)e U.S.
base+ on a *ombination of for fa*tors5 negle*t, abse, or aban+onment,
gang violen*e, +rg violen*e, an+ povert". ()is as folloe+ b" #C
per*ent 9eeing gang violen*e an+ #& per*ent 9eeing povert". In parti*lar,
man" respon+ents fon+ t)at t)ese *ases involve+ "ot) )o fa*e+ gang
re*ritment an+ t)reats in t)eir )ome *ontr".#
:)ile 8on+ras is not t)e onl" *ontr" 0linton pla"e+ a role intervening in, it
>B C
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R.D. Skeels #A
serves as t)e one most in+i*ative of )er )"po*ris" in stating t)ese immigrant *)il+ren
s)ol+ be 2sent ba*k.3$ 8ing asserts 2Some of t)e "ot) ma" qalif" for spe*ial
immigrant /venile stats, as"lm or visas for vi*tims of *rime.3> In+ee+, t)ese
na**ompanie+ minors seemingl" meet t)e for elements for granting as"lm n+er
U.S. Immigration La. ()e" )ave a ell fon+e+ fear of perse*tion base+ on past
perse*tion or risk of perse*tion in t)e ftre be*ase of members)ip in a parti*lar
so*ial grop an+ t)e perse*tion is b" t)e government or a grop t)at t)e government
is nilling or nable to *ontrol. :)ile !s. 0linton bemoans sen+ing a 2message t)at
is *ontrar" to or las3, per)aps s)e s)ol+ be more *on*erne+ it) or government
folloing t)ose las instea+. 1t an" rate, na**ompanie+ minors reqire or
prote*tion an+ assistan*e, not +etention in for-prot prisons )ile aaiting removal.
Neoliberalism and Immigration
()is brief srve" of ke" Demo*rats an+ t)eir impa*t on immigration poli*" ol+ be
in*omplete it)ot e;ploring some of t)e reasons )" t)ese neoliberal poli*ies are
favore+. Keoliberalism reqires t)e state, among ot)er t)ings, to privatize servi*es on*e
in t)e +omain of t)e pbli*, to +o aa" it) an" impe+iments to so-*alle+ 2free tra+e,3
an+ to +is*ipline labor in servi*e to *apital. 8ere e ill e;amine t)ree e;amples of
ea*), sin*e a *ompre)ensive srve" of t)ese topi*s ol+ likel" reqire an entire
volme.
Privatization is t)e at*)or+ of neoliberal i+eolog". nl" ntil re*entl",
immigrants being )el+ )ile t)eir stats as being +etermine+, or as"lm seekers
$ Oor a *ompre)ensive *ompen+im of 0linton4s interventions see5 ran+in, reg. 21 oter4s i+e to8illar" 0linton4s Poli*ies in Latin 1meri*a3. The Nation. #A 1pr. $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
>
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8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
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R.D. Skeels #&
nable to affor+ a bon+ )ile t)e" aaiting )earing, ere kept in fa*ilities maintaine+
b" t)e 6oar+ Patrol n+er t)e aegis of 0stoms an+ 6or+er Prote*tion %,%%% to
8illar" 0linton4s $%#& presi+ential *ampaign an+ )er VI4m Rea+" for 8illar"V
SperP10.H n*e more 0linton4s name is asso*iate+ it) )orri* *onseqen*es to
persons from 8on+ras. :as)ington *)roni*les one migrant mot)er4s plig)t5
()e *on+itions at anot)er famil" +etention *enter, in Marnes, (e;as, +rove
a #C-"ear-ol+ oman to *t )er rists on Jne . S)e )a+ a -"ear-ol+ son
it) )er an+ rote in a si*i+e note t)at t)e +etention *enter as 2killing
me little b" little3 an+ t)at s)e as 2treate+ orse t)an an animal.3 S)e
A Oormerl" Immigration an+ Katralization Servi*e
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8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
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R.D. Skeels #H
srvive+ an+, for +a"s later, as +eporte+ to 8on+ras. B
Privatization4s proverbial partners in *rime are free tra+e agreements. Unlike
orkers, )o mst en+re a great nmber of )rtles to even )ave a *)an*e of *rossing
t)e bor+er it) permission to ork, transnational *orporations rarel" fa*e man"
restri*tions relo*ating t)eir operations ot)er t)an o**asional tariffs, an+ )aving to
follo a )ost *ontr"4s +omesti* las. 0orporations n+ t)at last part oneros, it)
labor prote*tions, environmental rles, an+ rles prote*ting lo*al markets a barrier to
)ig)er prots. !an" of t)ese restri*tions )a+ alrea+" been remove+ for U.S. rms
operating maqila+oras in !e;i*o n+er t)e 6or+er In+strial Program >%,%%% tons from #CC$ to
$%%B. US pro+*ers like 1r*)er Daniels !i+lan+, sbsi+ize+ b" US farm
bills, sol+ *orn at arti*iall" lo pri*es to gain *ontrol of t)e !e;i*an
market. ()en small farmers in a;a*a, 0)iapas an+ sot)ern !e;i*o
*ol+n4t sell t)eir *rops at a pri*e )ig) enog) to pa" t)e *ost of groingt)em.A#
B
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8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
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R.D. Skeels #B
6a*on frt)er +is*sses )o post K1O(1 migration to t)e U.S. from !e;i*o
*ontinall" in*rease+ ntil it peake+ in $%%B, an+ a++s5 2()at too )as been a benet for
US emplo"ers, )o )ave )a+ a**ess to an enormos pool of +ispla*e+ people +esperate
for ork.3A$ ()is *ombination of tra+e agreements freeing *apital from national
*onnes, )ile simltaneosl" *ontrolling t)e 9o of orkers via bor+ers is easil" seen
)en vieing immigration t)rog) t)e lens of neoliberalism. It is no *oin*i+en*e t)at
K1O(1 an+ peration atekeeper *ame into being t)e same "ear. Keit)er is it a
*oin*i+en*e t)at 8ilar" 0linton4s most freqentl" +is*sse+ poli*" position +ring t)e
$%#& Demo*rati* primar" ele*tions )as been )er va*illating over t)e (rans-Pa*i*
Partners)ip
!*) of t)e ps) for t)e 8-#6 ork visa *ategor" originate+ it) t)e 1tari Demo*rats,
)o re*ognize+ t)at t)e" *ol+ a**omplis) several goals b" sing immigration in a
A$
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R.D. Skeels #C
eaponize+ form against labor.A ()e 8-#6 program enables emplo"ers to ensre t)at
t)ere are ala"s more s*ien*e, te*)nolog", engineering, an+ mat)emati*s
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8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
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R.D. Skeels $%
insigni*ant effe*t on patenting...Fan+G 8-#6s lea+ to loer average
emplo"ee ages )ile raising rm prots.3A&
Salzman4s n+ings *oin*i+e it) man" ot)ers, an+ t)e overall goal of sing 8-#6
in servi*e to neoliberal aims )as been frame+ t)sl"5 2()e manfa*tre+ S(E! *rises4
)as from t)e onset been a means to +rive +on t)e salaries of t)ose professionals )o
often +on4t see t)emselves as being orking *lass.3AH !ore +is*on*erting is a (other
&ones arti*le +is*ssing )o 8-#6 are no *alle+ Votsor*ing visas3 be*ase t)e" allo
te*)nolog" rms to train orkers so t)at t)e" *an retrn )ome an+ +o t)e /ob for t)ose
selfsame rms overseas at a loer ages.AB (e*)nolog" rms )ope to maintain t)is
stats qo as evi+en*e+ b"5 2In )er $%#& *ampaign bi+, 8illar" 0linton )as
strengt)ene+ t)ese ties, srpassing *an+i+ates from bot) parties in in+ivi+al
+onations from emplo"ees at t)e ten )ig)est-grossing *ompanies in Sili*on alle"73AC
Beyond the Democrats
()e +eman+s of neoliberalism +rive t)ese an+ ot)er immigration relate+ poli*ies in
servi*e of *orporate *apital. ()e )man toll of t)ese market-oriente+ poli*ies is +if*lt
to fat)om, bt it is *lear t)at p)"si*al bor+ers )arm orkers regar+less of )i*) si+e
t)e" n+ t)emselves on. ()at t)e Demo*rati* Part" )as been ent)siasti* spporters,
an+, more to t)e point, e;tremel" effe*tive implementors of neoliberal poli*ies is
testament to )i*) *lass t)e" serve. 1s s*), Demo*rats s)ol+ never be *onsi+ere+ t)e
lesser evil on immigration isses. :e nee+ a part" t)at prioritizes )man nee+ over
*orporate gree+, an+ a+vo*ates for t)e abolis)ment of bor+ers.
A&
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R.D. Skeels $#
References
1kers, 0)a*?n J, !ike Davis, an+ JliWn 0ar+ona. No )ne Is Illegal: Fighting *iolen%e and
+tate Repression on the ,+-(exi%o Border 0)i*ago, Ill5 8a"market 6ooks , $%%&.
Print.
1le;an+er, !i*)elle. 2:)" 8illar" 0linton Doesn4t Deserve t)e 6la*k ote.3 The Nation.
#% Oeb. $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
6a*on, Davi+. 2()e :orkers4 S*ore*ar+ on K1O(1.3 Truthout., $% Jan. $%#. :eb. >%
1pr. $%#&.
6mp, P)ilip. 2(e+ 0rz gets it ver" rong on re*ent presi+ents4 +eportation
nmbers.3 The Washington Post. :as)ington, D0. #& De*. $%#A. :eb. >% 1pr.
$%#&.
0linton, 8illar" Ro+)am. 28illar" 0linton4s 8ar+ 0)oi*es.3 Intervie it) 0)ristiane
1manpor. CNN To"n .all. 0KK, 1tlanta. #H Jn. $%#. (elevision.
Orank, Dana. 2S)e4s 6al+l" L"ing45 Dana Orank Respon+s to 8illar" 0linton4s Defense
of 8er Role in 8on+ras 0op.3 Intervie it) 1m" oo+man. !emo%ra%y No".
+emo*ra*"no.org, Ke ork. #> 1pr. $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
eismer, Lil". 21tari Demo*rats.3 &a%o'in., :inter $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
ran+in, reg. 21 oter4s i+e to 8illar" 0linton4s Poli*ies in Latin 1meri*a3. The
Nation. #A 1pr. $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
8amilton, Meegan. 28o Private Prisons 1re Proting Orom Lo*king Up US
Immigrants.3 *IC/ Ne"s. & *t. $%#A. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
8arkinson, Jos). 28o 8-#6 isas 1re S*reing (e*) :orkers.3 (other &ones., $$ Oeb.
$%#>. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/69792148http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/69792148http://www.thenation.com/article/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserve-black-peoples-votes/http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/21370-the-workers-scorecard-on-naftahttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/16/the-numbers-ted-cruz-cited-on-past-deportations-during-the-cnn-debate-were-way-off/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1406/17/se.01.htmlhttp://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/13/shes_baldly_lying_dana_frank_respondshttps://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/02/geismer-democratic-party-atari-tech-silicon-valley-mondale/http://www.thenation.com/article/a-voters-guide-to-hillary-clintons-policies-in-latin-america/http://www.thenation.com/article/a-voters-guide-to-hillary-clintons-policies-in-latin-america/https://news.vice.com/article/how-private-prisons-are-profiting-from-locking-up-us-immigrantshttp://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/silicon-valley-h1b-visas-hurt-tech-workershttp://www.thenation.com/article/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserve-black-peoples-votes/http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/21370-the-workers-scorecard-on-naftahttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/16/the-numbers-ted-cruz-cited-on-past-deportations-during-the-cnn-debate-were-way-off/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1406/17/se.01.htmlhttp://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/13/shes_baldly_lying_dana_frank_respondshttps://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/02/geismer-democratic-party-atari-tech-silicon-valley-mondale/http://www.thenation.com/article/a-voters-guide-to-hillary-clintons-policies-in-latin-america/http://www.thenation.com/article/a-voters-guide-to-hillary-clintons-policies-in-latin-america/https://news.vice.com/article/how-private-prisons-are-profiting-from-locking-up-us-immigrantshttp://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/silicon-valley-h1b-visas-hurt-tech-workershttp://www.worldcat.org/oclc/69792148
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8ing, 6ill . !efning 0meri%a Through Immigration Poli%y. P)ila+elp)ia, Pa5 (emple
Univ. Press , $%%. Print.
@@@. 2Pla"ing Politi*s :it) t)e Lives Una**ompanie+ 1lien 0)il+ren.3 The
.u1fngton Post., $& Oeb. $%#. :eb. $ 1pr. $%#&.
In*iteQ :omen of 0olor 1gainst iolen*e % 1pr. $%#&.
!rga, Janet. 2Kational 0on*il of La Raza
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8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism
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R.D. Skeels $>
Skeels, Robert D. 2()e Konprot In+strial 0omple;4s Role in Imposing Keoliberalism
on Pbli* E+*ation.3 Truthout., H Jl. $%#A. :eb. $& 1pr. $%#&.
@@@. 2!ore evi+en*e *orroborating Professor Mras)en an+ e;posing t)e *ontrive+
skills an+ S(E! *rises.3 +%hools (atter., & 1pr. $%#>. :eb. $C 1pr. $%#&.
(imes E+itorial 6oar+. 2()e Dark Si+e of Immigration Dis*retion.3 Ne" #or$ Times.
Ke ork, K. $% 1pr. $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
(ometi, pal. 26la*k Lives !atter 0o-Oon+er5 ()e Immigration 0)allenge Ko ne Is
(alking 1bot.3 Time. (ime, Ke ork, K. $C 1pril. $%#&. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
:as)ington, Jo)n. 2()e U.S. Is Lo*king Up Immigrant 0)il+ren in Private Prisons
Un+er In)mane 0on+itions.3 In These Times. 8arlan, I1. & Jl. $%#&. :eb. >%
1pr. $%#&.
:as)ington (imes E+itorial 6oar+. 28illar" goes *onservative on immigration.3 The
Washington Times. :as)ington, D0. #$ De*. $%%. :eb. >% 1pr. $%#&.
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