Sunday, January 14, 2018

White Cotton Balls: A Senator Lies on TV

Sen. Tom Cotton is a smooth talking race-baiting senator from Arkansas—and an accomplished liar. Here is what I am talking about— a quote from a transcript on Face the Nation (Transcript: Sen. Tom Cotton on "Face the Nation," Jan. 14, 2018, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-sen-tom-cotton-on-face-the-nation-jan-14-2018/).
If you change our immigration system to a skills-based system that respects and treats people for who they are as individuals as opposed to residents of a certain country or relatives of certain people in the United States, it's a system that is more in keeping with American values.
How is this a lie? Start with Melania Trump, who came to the U.S. on a fashion model visa, called O-1. 
Fashion models can also qualify for “specialty occupation” visa, called an H-1B3.
Country of origin is immaterial—it is a very high standards skills based visa. 
Melania, by the way, comes from a poor eastern European country, Romania.
The U.S. immigration system has a large number of work visas that are keyed to skills.
Here are two, among more than a dozen:
EB-1: Extraordinary Ability. You must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Your achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation. No offer of employment is required.
H-1B Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation: Individuals in the U.S. to perform professional services for a sponsoring employer in a specific position for a fixed period of time.
Sen. Cotton knows this. He is a Harvard educated lawyer who is playing to his Arkansas base of immigrant fearing, mostly older white constituents.


Tell the truth, Sen. Cotton. We have a skills based system. Yes, it needs reform. It is expensive and out of touch with various labor markets. It encourages people to sneak into the U.S. because it is so cumbersome. But your quote in red text? That took some white Cotton balls.

No comments: