The Foreign Service Journal, December 2006

with the details would be necessary. But the main point is that a pilot pro- gram in a smaller country would offer valuable lessons that could be applied to a broader program — or show that the concept is not workable. Program Benefits I believe such an approach would offer the following advantages: • Besides the primary benefit of cutting illegal immigration, this pro- gram would reduce the magnet effect of immigration. Participants would be less likely to try to draw family mem- bers into the U.S. if they plan to return home. • It would literally save hundreds of lives a year by lowering illegal boat passages. • The program would promote the rule of law in the Dominican Repub- lic and the United States. It would undercut the big criminal business of human trafficking, a business that undermines Dominican law enforce- ment integrity and often works along- side narcotics trafficking. Once in the U.S., all participants would have to remain gainfully employed, out of jail, off public assistance and current in their U.S. tax payments, or they would forfeit their bonds. • It would offer excellent U.S. public diplomacy opportunities, such as yearly graduation ceremonies for returning participants involving the U.S. ambassador. • This approach would comple- ment other temporary worker pro- grams, like those targeting specific job skills, as well as our program for green card/legal permanent residence visas. It would also complement efforts to secure our borders, which raise the cost of illegal entry and, thus, also the attractiveness of this legal alternative. No Plan Is Perfect There are, of course, some draw- backs to the idea, as well. The chief one is the fact that many participants will overstay and forfeit their bonds. Even so, a high overstay rate would raise more money for development and could be brought down by raising the bond. In addition, such individu- als would already be fingerprinted, a big plus over most illegal immigrants. In addition, bonds, such as those associated with tourist visas, are gen- erally seen as distasteful, demeaning and difficult to administer. However, a bond that offered new opportunity specifically tied to development would be more politically acceptable, both in the U.S. and overseas. Let me emphasize that this pro- gram should not be used as a new vehicle for importing skilled labor, which can be addressed through exist- ing means. Accordingly, additional bond requirements for higher salaries above certain levels might be neces- sary. Albert Einstein quipped, “I never think of the future — it comes soon enough.” Twenty years from now, will we still be mired in today’s immigra- tion debate? Addressing illegal immi- gration will take time and a multifac- eted approach, with some carrot and some stick. There are no simple solu- tions. Still, a new visa category that integrates foreign assistance and immigration objectives could be part of a compromise in today’s polarized debate. David Searby, a Foreign Service officer since 1988, has served in Santo Dom- ingo, Rome and Mexico City. He is currently desk officer for the Domini- can Republic. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own. 18 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 6 S P E A K I N G O U T