Congress Is Finally In The Ball Game On Immigration (Here Come The Johnny Come Lately Feds Alert)

Townhall.com ^ | 03/29/06 | Ben Shapiro

[goldstategop]

On March 26, hundreds of thousands of people flooded onto Los Angeles' streets to protest a bill currently passing through Congress. The House version of the bill strengthens legal consequences for those associated with illegal immigration: Knowingly assisting, encouraging, directing or inducing illegal immigrants to cross the border would be punishable by no less than three and no more than 20 years in prison, and/or a fine; knowingly hiring more than 10 illegal immigrants would be punishable by no more than five years in prison, and/or a fine; illegal immigration would be a felony; new border patrol agents would be trained; funding would be provided to construct a fence along one-third of the U.S./Mexico border.

Protests regarding the bill aren't restricted to Los Angeles. Tens of thousands have turned out in Phoenix, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee. Some of those voices aren't particularly civil; certain signs at the Los Angeles rally read "THIS IS STOLEN LAND" and "If you think I'm 'illegal' because I'm a Mexican learn the true history because this is my homeland." Meanwhile, politicians in California are already assisting, encouraging, directing and inducing illegal immigration by pandering to the crowds. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke to the gigantic Los Angeles protest; Rowena Lagrosa, Executive Officer of Educational Services for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), issued a letter asking that students stay on campus, but pledging that if they chose to ditch school to protest, taxpayer-funded buses would transport the students.

These protestors are just the tip of the iceberg. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, there are currently about 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States. The problem of illegal immigration is reaching the breaking point. Only now, several decades too late, has Congress decided to act.

But better late than never. The stated purpose of the controversial bill is to curb terrorism. September 11 surely awakened us to the dangers of nonexistent border control, but most Americans are worried about illegal immigration for two very different reasons: First, illegal immigrants are more likely now than ever to take jobs that used to belong to citizens; second, illegal immigrants are more likely now than ever to remain apart from the vast American melting pot. Neither of these reasons bears any resemblance to the accusations of xenophobia the left loves to hurl at those who wish to stop illegal immigration. Americans are not xenophobic – they're prudent.

Let's take the economic problem first. According to the most recent Pew study, 94 percent of male illegal immigrants are employed, as well as 54 percent of female illegal immigrants (female illegal immigrants are less likely to be employed because they generally are married and have young children). Illegal immigrants now compose 24 percent of those working in farming, 17 percent of those working in cleaning, 14 percent of those working in construction, 12 percent of those working in food preparation and 9 percent of those working in production. They are working at wages below the legal minimum. Were illegal immigrants to disappear tomorrow, prices in all of the above industries would rise, some businesses would shut down and other businesses would move abroad. On the other hand, the Center for Immigration Studies has shown that illegal immigrant households create a federal net fiscal deficit of $2,700 per household, since they generate little tax revenue but take advantage of basic government services. Granting amnesty would hike that deficit to $7,700 per household. The question for Americans is whether they are willing to pay more at the supermarket or see their favorite restaurant shut down in order to prevent illegal immigration.

Then there's the more difficult social problem. America cannot survive as an agglomeration of different ethnic groups who refuse to engage in common American culture. Thankfully, many illegal immigrants share basic American values already: They are family oriented and religious. They do not, however, speak English. More importantly, their children do not speak English -- one University of Southern California study showed that 94 percent of LAUSD students learned English as a second language. It is no wonder that California perennially ranks among the worst states in terms of educational achievement. Speaking the vernacular is a vital element in identification with America. It is no wonder that American flags were burned as protestors chanted in Spanish during the recent Los Angeles rallies.

After decades of political platitudes about illegal immigration, the current bill before Congress gives Americans a choice. Enforcing our borders will entail costs to all Americans. Are those costs worth bearing? One thing is certain: The costs of inaction are far greater

[goldstategop]

The Federal Johnny Come Latelys at last decided to act. The hour is late. Can our country still be saved? Only if they really mean it and its not like they have cared what the American people want done on illegal immigration.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

"More importantly, their children do not speak English -- one University of Southern California study showed that 94 percent of LAUSD students learned English as a second language. It is no wonder that California perennially ranks among the worst states in terms of educational achievement. Speaking the vernacular is a vital element in identification with America."

Has there been any other group in the history of the U.S. that has come to the U.S. without its children learning to speak, read and write English quickly and well and as a matter of pride and priority?

Who encouraged millions of people to resist and reject English? Progressives? Surely the Mexican immigrants didn't really think it would be a good idea to remain an underclass that didn't speak the language! People have come just as poor and just as illerate, but the opportunities afforded them boosted them forward.

[Porterville]

The ball is rolling.

The best thing that could happen is if business that hire illegals are heavily fined and criminally investigated for tax evasion.

Once the illegals can't get work, they'll go home. No cost to the tax payer and an end to the black market labor.

[Serenissima Venezia]

It is no wonder that American flags were burned as protestors chanted in Spanish during the recent Los Angeles rallies.

Guess those pictures were hidden by the MSM. Now this information needs to get out to the public so they can decide if they really want illegals here. (And vote out Senators accordingly)

[claudiustg]

---knowingly hiring more than 10 illegal immigrants would be punishable by no more than five years in prison, and/or a fine---

But you may have in possession one illegal nannie, one illegal gardener, one illegal maid, and no more than 2 illegal butt-boys, providing you have a current government permit with tax stamp and live in a gated community.

[Lurker]

I think a fine of $5,000.00 per illegal per day of employment sounds reasonable. The funds can go to defray the costs of the fence we need to build.

L

[Porterville]

If they can't work their own families will send them home to Mexico.

You got to use strategerie.... Bust the nutz of your fellow American and you ain't racist.

See the strategy.... raise the roof on this message, tell everyone you know- liberal or conservative and even Mexican agree to go after the business avoiding taxes.

Hell, throw in that you don't think it is right that these poor Mexicans don't get medical benefits from these greedy cheating businesses. Play it to the hilt.

[Looking4Truth]

Slimeball politicians. Close the border first. Until then, nothing else matters.

[Lurker]

I turn 'em in myself whenever I find out for sure there's an illegal employed somewhere. It's easy and it's free.

ICE has a toll-free line just for that purpose.

It's 1-866-347-2423

Make sure you mention the employers name prominently.

L

[Proud Conservative2]

I posted something similar to this on another thread, but I think some form of this needs consideration,

The times they are a changing...and so should the laws of citizenship for immigrants.

Learning to speak our language should be a priority, making it easier for them to interact with people of other cultures and not stay isolated in a new country. Also, when they swear allegiance to the United States of America, it should be understood that if at anytime they have a change of heart and choose allegiance to any other nation's flag over ours, they need to pack their bags. Citizenship ends at that point. Disagreement is one thing, but what I viewed over the week-end of their signs and the burning of American flags, whether they were immigrants or criminals made my blood boil, as it did with others who viewed it. NO MORE! IT's time to change the playing field.

[Muleteam1]

Right now the Republicans are in a lose/lose situation on this issue and are likely to lose support (from their current base) in the upcoming elections no matter what they do. This issue needs to be narrowed to one of securing the border first which would place the Democrats into a defensive mode of defending National security and allow them to also partake of this lose/lose scenario.

[DeuceTraveler]

Look at Paris now and you'll see the results of allowing a huge influx of an immigrant population to come in and live separate from the society. These people will be alienated from America because we won't be able to absorb them into our culture fast enough. An alienated population is an angry population.

All this because we wanted to make a quick buck with cheap labor. And because we are using them for cheap labor, what do you think the chances are that their kids will have decent education and become content citizens?

[CowboyJay]

"Right now the Republicans are in a lose/lose situation on this issue and are likely to lose support (from their current base) in the upcoming elections no matter what they do"

The only way they'll lose support from their base is by refusing to pass HR 4437 throught the Senate in-tact.

[Clemenza]

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND SENATOR! EVEN IF THEY ARE LEFT WING MOONBATS!!!

[Savage Beast]

"knowingly hiring more than 10 illegal immigrants would be punishable by no more than five years in prison, and/or a fine"

Why 10? Why not 1? Do they want to leave a loophole for illegal aliens to do their housework and be their children's nannies?

[Fruit of the Spirit]

"I think a fine of $5,000.00 per illegal per day of employment sounds reasonable."

How do you propose the government/officials uncover these employed illegals?

Perhaps running a credit check on every job applicant might uncover false SSN #...but what if it doesn't? Then what?

[Lurker]

INS has an 800 number that employers can call to verify SS numbers. I had to supply 3 different IDs that established both my identity and my legality before I was hired at my current position.

If an employer makes a good faith effort to weed out illegals, fine. But any employer who knowingly hires one needs to be fined into bankruptcy. Repeat offenders need to do serious jail time.

Persons who present forged or falsified documents in order to gain employment need to be fined or imprisoned or both.

L

[Mia T]

On March 26, hundreds of thousands of people flooded onto Los Angeles' streets to protest a bill currently passing through Congress. The House version of the bill strengthens legal consequences for those associated with illegal immigration: Knowingly assisting, encouraging, directing or inducing illegal immigrants to cross the border would be punishable by no less than three and no more than 20 years in prison, and/or a fine; knowingly hiring more than 10 illegal immigrants would be punishable by no more than five years in prison, and/or a fine; illegal immigration would be a felony; new border patrol agents would be trained; funding would be provided to construct a fence along one-third of the U.S./Mexico border.....

Only now, several decades too late, has Congress decided to act.

But better late than never. The stated purpose of the controversial bill is to curb terrorism. September 11 surely awakened us to the dangers of nonexistent border control....

Congress Is Finally In The Ball Game On Immigration
(Here Come The Johnny Come Lately Feds Alert)
Townhall.com ^ | 03/29/06 | Ben Shapiro

These machinations are really only more of the same: Congress legislates, INS ignores. This is political pandering at its most cynical. These machinations are de facto nothings.

The GOP must not allow itself to be torn apart by de facto nothings.
The Right must not cede the hispanic vote to the Left.
The Right must not cede the hispanic vote to hillary clinton.

CLICK



thanx to Ladycalif for original photo

HILLARY VOTE FRAUD
missus clinton uses Jesus

ARTICLE

HEAR HILLARY

 COPYRIGHT MIA T 2006

[Fruit of the Spirit]

"INS has an 800 number that employers can call to verify SS numbers."

INS is part of the problem. As civil servants (HA!), they have a 'do-nothing' attitude.