Posted on 06/25/2005 9:19:55 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
If the story about Wal-Mart getting away for years with employing illegal immigrants as janitors didn't make the United States' ambivalence about immigration law clear, the latest report from the General Accounting Office should do it.
The GAO, which does in-depth research for Congress, found that the feds have virtually stopped cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. In 1999, for example, federal authorities sent notices of intent to fine to 417 employers. In 2004, they only sent those same notices to three employers. Similarly, the number of arrests made in workplace raids has plummeted from 2,849 in 1999 to 44 last year.
In a nutshell, the laws against hiring illegal immigrants are little more than a nuisance to employers.
So, employers continue to exercise selective perception when it come to the status of their workers, and thousands of low-wage illegal immigrants continue to stream across the border any way they can to do the work.
It doesn't exactly reinforce the idea of the United States being a place that honors the rule of law above all, does it?
The larger problem is that the nation's immigration laws serve a particular political agenda but not an actual need. There's no reasonable, legal way to import workers for agriculture, heavy industry and low-paid service work. As a result, there are an estimated 10 million people living among legal residents who are completely unknown and thus unaccountable, creating a situation that is both unfair and dangerous to all.
Even as federal officials turn a blind eye to employers who hire undocumented immigrants -- which amounts to a tacit endorsement of such practices -- individual states are finding ways to make it more difficult for those workers.
Sadly, the response has been to create reactionary and short-sighted policies that only serve to make life harder for those already living in the shadows. For example, Arizona, Virginia and Maryland have recently taken steps to punish illegal immigrants by denying health care or education to their families.
That kind of reaction lets the culprits behind the massive influx of immigrants off scot-free. If there were no jobs here for them, the immigrants wouldn't risk their lives and bodies to come. It's that simple.
Unless the federal government can come up with some sensible policy for making sure that all who enter the country to work can do so legally, and with proper screening so as to weed out criminals and terrorists, the cycle won't end.
And if federal officials can't do that, why have laws against immigration at all? Why maintain laws that no one has the will to enforce?
While we're at it, we can throw out labor laws that set the minimum wage and govern working conditions. If employers are using an undocumented work force, many surely don't bother to provide reasonable bathroom breaks, pay overtime or avoid hiring children.
Like we've said so many times before, illegal immigration is a national problem that needs a national solution.
Exactly. I bet these employers are all BIG Bush donors. I'm a Bush fan about most things, but his conduct about illegal immigration is reprehensible, at best.
Secure the borders NOW George, how many more innocents have to die before you pay attention?
It is the favorite ploy of the Anarchist to make a law (written and implimented by ELECTED officials) useless. By intemidating law enforcers with the labels they have pretty much gotten pretty far in their agenda.
Maybe you thinks it's S**t, but any employer that hires these illegals is no better than the enies from outside the United States. They just have better homes and cars.
Well I guess that little mom and pop down the street from you counts as a fat cat donor. Or maybe your neighbor (or yourself) hiring those illegals to mow your yard etc doesn't count. <p. The 10's of thousands of NONlawbiding small business and individuals are just as RESPOSIBLE as WAL-MART.
The thing is, we do need to come up with some type of guest-worker solution, in addition to having real, 24 hour round-the-clock border security. The guest-workers should have a specially-made ID, be forced to pay a flat tax to the government, sign a contract stating that he/she can only work in the U.S. for a maximum of 3 years before returning to their home country.
Plus any guest-worker who commits a felony should be deported immediately.
The immigration system has become an imbecile.
Sounds good in theory but its a federal problem. I spoke with a local policeman that had arrested some illegals and he called Homeland Security (INS) and he was told, call us when you have 25. The policeman was frustrated to say the least. He said just wait till the Mexican gangs come here, if you think we have a problem now. And then he said, they are coming. So both sides of the aisle stand guilty. The Republicans turn their heads as do the Democrats as this country is totally screwed.
Time to get on the phone and mail order that Vulcan machine gun kit and put it together. Always wanted one of those.
Just kidding, Mr. BATFE man. Just kidding. About the second part, that is.
I'm sending you the memo. The GANGS are already here. DALLAS is being overrun by them.
I've been saying this for quite some time. Either enforce the immigration laws or repeal them.
If the story about Wal-Mart getting away for years with employing illegal immigrants as janitors ...Is there anybody besides me that remembers these particular immigrants were eastern European and not from south of the border?
DETAILS will be provided if required ...
that Vulcan machine gun kitHasbro makes a nice one; 1/50 scale or so for the G.I. Joe doll ...
the investigation, known as "Operation Rollback," ... allegations ... [Walmart] recruited illegal immigrants, mainly Eastern European nationals, to work on cleaning crewswww.forbes.com/newswire/2003/10/23/rtr1121008.html
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