'Protect Current Guest Workers Before You Expand the Program'

Velasquez told the committee that expanding the current program would only increase the corruption that plagues the program. He cited the longstanding problem of brokers extorting large amounts of money from workers to obtain visas.

To ensure guest workers receive fair treatment, Velasquez told the committee that it is very important to grant guest workers the same labor rights as other workers, including the freedom to join a union.

President Bush’s immigration reform proposal, which would have expanded the guest worker program, collapsed in the Senate late yesterday. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says the “anti-family, anti-worker” plan was “doomed at the outset.”

With the support of the immigrant rights community, we will continue to pursue an immigration plan that places workers’ rights at the forefront and removes economic incentives for exploitation. Velasquez was among several union leaders testifying yesterday before Congress on issues of concern to working people, including the need for public safety workers to secure bargaining rights and passenger safety.