lesser evil? the democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism

8/17/2019 Lesser Evil? The Democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism

1/23

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

#


2/23

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.

$


3/23

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


4/23

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


5/23

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


6/23

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

$# =


7/23

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


8/23

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 =


9/23

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


10/23

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


11/23

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


12/23

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


13/23

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

>&


14/23

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


15/23

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. $%#&.

>


16/23

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


17/23

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


18/23

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$


19/23

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


20/23

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&


21/23

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


22/23

R.D. Skeels $$

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


23/23

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. $%#&.
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/31748-the-non-profit-industrial-complex-s-role-in-imposing-neoliberalism-on-public-educationhttp://www.schoolsmatter.info/2013/04/more-evidence-corroborating-professor.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/20/opinion/the-dark-side-of-immigration-discretion.htmlhttp://time.com/4312628/immigration-1996-laws/http://inthesetimes.com/article/18140/locking-up-immigrant-kidshttp://inthesetimes.com/article/18140/locking-up-immigrant-kidshttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/13/20041213-124920-6151r/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/13/20041213-124920-6151r/http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/31748-the-non-profit-industrial-complex-s-role-in-imposing-neoliberalism-on-public-educationhttp://www.schoolsmatter.info/2013/04/more-evidence-corroborating-professor.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/20/opinion/the-dark-side-of-immigration-discretion.htmlhttp://time.com/4312628/immigration-1996-laws/http://inthesetimes.com/article/18140/locking-up-immigrant-kidshttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/13/20041213-124920-6151r/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/13/20041213-124920-6151r/

lesser evil? the democrats and immigration policy in the era of neoliberalism

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