Posted on 07/17/2005 10:28:30 AM PDT by Borax Queen
BOISE, Idaho - Faced with the costs of coping with illegal immigrants, one county is looking to the courts for help - by filing a racketeering lawsuit against the businesses that hire these workers.
The legal theory: that a pattern of immigration violations by employers is costing Canyon County millions for law enforcement, education and social services.
The presence of the illegal workers "lowers the labor wage for American citizens and removes employment opportunities," said county Commissioner Robert Vasquez, who just started a bid for Congress. "Certainly it uses tax dollars to provide them with educational services, medical care, unemployment compensation for those that are injured on the job.
"They are a drain on the taxpayers of Canyon County, the state of Idaho and the U.S. in general," he said.
The county's attempt to recoup its expenses would be filed under the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly called the RICO Act, which has been used against targets ranging from organized crime to Internet spammers.
It would be the first time a government has sued a business under RICO, enacted in 1970, legal experts say.
The county signed a contract Tuesday with a RICO specialist, Chicago attorney Howard Foster, and Vasquez said the lawsuit was expected to be filed soon.
"There is no such lawsuit ever in American history," Foster said.
"I don't know if around the country other county commissioners or governments are really as interested as they should be to protect the rights of their citizens."
Vasquez has developed a reputation as a staunch opponent of illegal immigration. He has tried to bill the Mexican government for the cost of dealing with illegal immigrants from that country, and he tried unsuccessfully to have Canyon County declared a disaster area for what he says is an impending invasion of illegal immigrants.
Vasquez wouldn't say which businesses will be sued until the lawsuit is filed. He estimates the county has spent at least $2 million on costs related to illegal entrants.
Employers say the lawsuit could spell the end of many labor-intensive businesses that rely on immigrant labor, or at least drive up the cost, said Ann Bates, executive director of the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association.
Taking back our country ping.
Bravo!
A good use of a bad law ping.
I hope it spreads nation wide and they nail them all!
Let's pray it has some effect -- and send some Rolaids to the Crawford Ranch -- they are going need them.
RICO Bump
Taking back our country ping.
One lawsuit at a time!
I think this is the proper approach, since Bush has abdicated responsibility. suing the illegals or even arresting them on immigration violations one at a time (to see them released) is a waste of time. Suing companies under RICO, arresting illegals for trespass or drivers license and insurance violations (confiscating cars), those thing put some bite in the message without having to wait for the INS.
Been waiting for this for years. Bout damn time! BUMP
businesses using cheap illegal aliens instead of American young people entering the workforce has drastically affected developing the work ethic that America enjoyed not so long ago.
Cheap illegals are a disservice to America's kids, a point that is never addressed!
Sweet! Let's hope it starts a trend!
Why do I doubt that our beloved representatives who hire illegals as housekeepers (etc) will not be subject to enforcement?
Can we file these suits against cities too.
What we really need to do is throw anyone in jail so sells food to an ILLEAGAL. We can all carry proof of citizenship when ever we go to a restaurant or grocery store, we can present our paperwork.
Those who sell food to ILLEAGALS are just as bad as those who hire them and should be thrown in jail.
When they get hungry enough those ILLEAGALS will go back to where they belong.
I'll second your comment. The RICO law has been seriously abused in this country, but in this case, I'll take it.
I empathize but, like Vasquez' previous ideas, this one has no chance in hell of succeeding.
ping
Great. If something is for the children it has got to be good, well because it's for the children!
RICO laws are ok to misuse because it's for the children. Great.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.