Migrant workers' stays may be extended

Although a major piece of immigration legislation looks unlikely to happen during the Bush administration's waning months, perceived labor shortages are increasing the pressure for the extension of temporary work permissions.

Nicole Gaouette of the Times writes this morning that the Department of Labor is rewriting the temporary labor rules, and that the definition of "temporary" will be extended from 10 months to three years.

"Adjusting the so-called H2B visa program is part of an ongoing administration effort to reconfigure immigration laws on a piecemeal basis in the absence of a comprehensive overhaul," she writes.

This Arizona Republic editorial argues that the changes to the bill are a labor issue, not an immigration issue.

"This bill imposes some order on the current chaos."

"Like it or not, the crush of illegal immigration that has caused such misery for our state is basically a labor-delivery system. It is an ugly, unacceptable and unsustainable system that relies on criminal smugglers, who are a danger to migrants and the average citizen." Arizona Republic.

Photo: Isidro Mata, a 25-year-old McDonald's maintenance worker, polishes a sign at one of the chain's Los Angeles restaurants. Much of the money he earns he sends home to relatives in Mexico. (Don Bartletti / LAT)

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City