“Poll shows immigration conflicts” read the headline in Thursday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. But it was the secondary headline, what we in the trade call the “deck,” that had us laughing out loud: “Most in survey favor path to citizenship, mass deportations.”
Both. At the same time. That is, indeed, a conflict.
Further down on that same page was this headline: “Keeping skilled workers in U.S. among needs voiced at business forum.”
There you have it, folks, our broken immigration system in headlines.
The first story was about findings of the 21st annual Arkansas Poll, which showed that “Arkansans have mixed feelings about people who are in the U.S. without authorization.”
“On the one hand, they overwhelmingly support a pathway to citizenship for migrants who are here without authorization,” the story said. “On the other hand, a plurality of Arkansans want to deport them all.”
The second story was about a meeting of business, education and political leaders in Conway who were discussing challenges to economic development. One of those challenges involves employees in the U.S. on H-1B visas, which are given to workers in specialty occupations, usually engineering and the sciences.
“We’re able to get them here, but it’s hell to keep them here,” said Jeff Amerine of Startup Junkie Consulting in Fayetteville. “The companies come to rely on them, and then they have to leave.”
It was only six years ago that a bipartisan (remember that?) group of U.S. senators introduced a comprehensive immigration reform measure. The bill passed in the Senate, but House Republicans refused to consider it.
We need secure borders. We need talented workers. The leaders who can make both happen will leave a lasting legacy.
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