Business groups known for conservative stands on tax cuts and other issues have taken a sharp turn away from their conservative allies when it comes to proposed immigration reform.
Telephone lines to conservative talk-show hosts have been burning up with condemnation of the proposal, which would offer a path to citizenship for the 11 million or more undocumented workers now in the country and create a new guest-worker program.
While the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups say the bill would provide labor for jobs that Americans don’t want, many conservatives call it corporate welfare and amnesty for lawbreakers.
“We don’t understand how the political elites in the Republican Party can be so out of touch with what the American people want and need,” said Dan Stein, head of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
The bill, now in the Senate, is special-interest legislation “motivated by sheer greed,” he said.
“This does put us at odds with some people who call themselves conservative,” said Angelo Amador, U.S. Chamber director of immigration policy.
But noted Republican lawmakers such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, S.C., and Sen. John McCain, Ariz., are promoting it, he added.
Landscaping companies depend on temporary foreign workers for help during peak seasons, and the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado favors the proposal, said Kristen Sirovatka Fefes, the trade group’s executive director.
It doesn’t surprise her that the issue has caused a rift between social conservatives and business interests, she said. “This is extremely emotional,” she said.
It isn’t the first time business has split with conservatives on a controversial issue. In 2000, the U.S. Chamber lobbied hard to grant permanent most-favored-nation status – which lowers tariffs and other restrictions on imports – to China.
The proposal passed over objections from a coalition that included labor unions, concerned about downward pressure on wages and China’s human- rights record, and Christian conservatives who objected to religious persecution and other violations of human rights.
The immigration bill, now in the Senate, is a top domestic priority for the Bush administration.
Presidential press secretary Tony Snow has been promoting the bill throughout the country and was scheduled to speak to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.
His appearance was canceled because of a scheduling conflict.
Staff writer Tom McGhee can be reached at 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com.
