Penalty Mitigation in the Immigration Reform Bill [White House Spokesman Responds: Post #53]

Free Republic ^ | 6-13-2007 | philman_36

[philman_36]

This morning on Fox and Friends there was made mention that much stricter fines are in the immigration reform bill. While this is true many folks may not know about a few words that follow the language about the tougher fines. Those words make a travesty of any "fines" as they can be waved and the employer could walk away owing nothing in penalties.

Here are the words I've got a problem with...

(D) The Secretary is authorized to reduce or mitigate penalties imposed upon employers, based upon factors including, but not limited to, the employer's hiring volume, compliance history, good-faith implementation of a compliance program, participation in temporary worker program, and voluntary disclosure of violations of this subsection to the Secretary.

So while we're being told that "the penalties are tougher" we aren't being told that under some circumstances employers can face reduced or even no fine whatsoever.
At this point of time in our history America can't afford our officials not being completely truthful to us and not stating that the possibility exists for employers to potentially be let off the hook completely is simply unacceptable.

[ForGod'sSake]

From the few responses it would seem that he is being statement specific. See #402 - #404.

More to the point, he seems to be picking and choosing his battles. Attempting to put a finer point on a tiny issue on which he feels he has some leverage while ignoring the larger issue(s) raised in response to his post. In doing so, he possibly hopes we will pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

It seems apparent to just about everybody outside the Beltway, and the borders states in particular that "W" and his administration are hell bent on allowing the illegal invasion to continue. The question still remains: WHY?

I would submit, the U.S. would fall into bankruptcy without a significant increase in population, along with the attendant taxes, etc, that the illegal invasion provides. Near as I recall, I seem to remember the U.S. had arrived at "zero" population growth some years back, so the SS system in particular, would be in BIG trouble. That is, if medicare, medicaid, and prescription drug programs don't do us in first.

Our "leaders" have built us a house of cards. A lot more could be said about this predicament we're in, but it's late and I'm tired.

FGS

[beaversmom]

Hello to TSN--if you haven't already seen this you may be interested in post #53 and the responses that followed.

[rockabyebaby]

You’re up early!!! EXCELLENT FIND!!!! Let’s bombard nthompsonwhitehouse with info..........I had heard that there was someone from the whitehouse posting here but didn’t have a chance to research it....thanks for picking up on it!

[USMCVet]

Please make it clear to the President that his failure to seal the border and ensure full security BEFORE addressing the fate of the illegal immigrants is a gross error.

We have been his sole supporters up to this point, but this is the breaking point

If he continues to push this amnesty bill and it is passed, we will oppose him and his policies from here forward.

[rockabyebaby]

Read my tagline Mr. Thompson..........we are FED UP with ILLEGALS running this country and yes, they are running this country....we THE CITIZENS have absolutely no say in our future, we are disgusted with the President and anyone else who supports AMNESTY for ILLEGALS and yes Mr. Thompson the bill proposed is out and out AMNESTY. WHO is going to pay for all of this? Does anyone in Washington realize how much ILLEGALS are currently costing us??? Does anyone care? I doubt it,,,,the rich don't have any idea how the rest of us live, the rich feel guilty because most of them have never had to work a day in their life to get the money they have, they feel sorry for poor people....maybe Ted Kennedy would like to support a few hundred thousand ILLEGALS, maybe he should let them move into his Hyannis compound for a few days, see how much it's going to cost, see how much disease they spread, see how much silverware they steal,,,when was the last time the President or Ted Kennedy or John McCain had to spend over NINE hours in the emergency room because ILLEGALS use it as their primary care physician and us CITIZENS are treated like third world residents of our OWN country AND we end up paying for the treatment these ILLEGALS are getting in the ER. Does anyone in Washington have a clue? WE ARE YOUR BASE, WHY WON'T ANYONE LISTEN TO US???? The repbulicans have an opportunity to lay down the law, stand up for what is right, law, order, justice, instead, they are pandering for votes from people who don't give a bleep about this country, meanwhile, WE THE CITIZENS are suffering. If the bill passes, the Dems will run this country til the end of time, the base will be lost and trust me Mr. Thompson, the base is not happy, if you've read any of the posts on this forum you have an idea of what I speak. WHY is the border still open Mr. Thompson,,,,WHY??? WHY are ILLEGALS and God knows who else still pouring over the border?? WHY? My grandparents entered the country the right way, WHY all of a sudden are the laws not being enforced and WHY after 9/11 are the borders still wide open? I am disgusted with this administration, I voted for President Bush, he is NOT the man I voted for, he has completely lost sight of what he's supposed to be doing and you can bet no one with the name Bush will EVER get elected to office again. Please tell the President his base is gone, we do not support him in the AMNESTY bill and yes you and the President and everyone else in Washington can continue saying it's not AMNESTY but WE THE CITIZENS know what it is and we DO NOT LIKE IT. Please do not continue to insult our intelligence.

Slam the borders shut

Cut off all social programs to ILLEGALS

End the anchor baby system

ARREST and fine ANY employer who employs ILLEGALS

DEPORT any ILLEGAL caught committing a crime

You'll be amazed how quickly the ILLEGALS will go home. Try it, you'll like it.

[Hydroshock]

I have exactly zero trust in Jorge’s promise to punish business who break immigration laws.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

RE: "The Social Security Administration and DHS will scan EEVS’s submitted information to see if SSNs are being used repeatedly (i.e. identity thefts leading to forged documents usually use the same SSN over and over). If SSN X is used in six different states by 20 different people, we will know that 19 people have forged documents and we can pick them up. This will be a new authority not currently in law."

It may be literally true that the EEVS stuff is not currently in the law but the information has been there for years and years. It has to do with the SSA's Earnings Suspense File and the millions of employer and employee "no match" letters mailed out annually.

All the while the existing laws (authority to work here, document fraud, ID theft) were being violated and nothing was being done about it -- except to prohibit the SSA from sharing their information. SSA IG's have testified before Congress about this.

Thus I say NO! to shiny new laws Washington can ignore. Prove you will enforce laws affecting "cheap labor" first then maybe enact new laws as needed.

[TexasCajun]

What don't you poeple get?

Americans want you to Secure Our Borders FIRST!!!

Then we will listen to your immigration reform ideas!!!!

[TexasCajun]

Nic, can you please tell us how many miles of already approved and funded border fence has been built?

[TexasCajun]

The Secure Fence Act of 2006, the legislation President Bush signed into law just late last October, authorized 700 miles of new reinforced fencing to be constructed along the US/Mexico border and so far, real evidence of just 2 miles being completed with repairs made to about nine others can be found. Little actual funding has been allocated for its construction simply because the will or intention to implement that law remains obviously absent from this administration.

Three years ago, President Bush signed the National Identification Act of 2004 into law which authorized hiring an additional 10,000 border patrol agents over five years beginning in 2006. As of today, there ought be 4,000 new officers on duty, 80% of which were to be designated to the US/Mexican border. That's a total of 6,400 additional eyes on the southern border, but as of yet - only 210 officers have been hired and some of those would be replacements of retirees, of those choosing career changes, of those whose obligations in the military have called them to serve the US in other areas, and replacements of those either incarcerated for doing their jobs or those who died doing their duty. Again, funding for this force's provision has been glaringly absent, but even more evident has been the absence of intention to see the law executed.

Until at least a half-hearted effort is made to execute and enforce laws which have already been legislated, which have already been pledged to Americans, American Patriots ought and will reject any amendments to immigration code that offers absolution to illegal aliens or grants indemnity to code violators from the justice due them for their offenses. Until Americans see an honest intent, a fair effort invested, American Patriots will rightly proclaim before Legislators, "We simply do not trust you".

Enforce These Existing Laws!!

[TexasCajun]

When the RNC sends me those solicitation letters, this is what they get.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Given the WSJ-Feinstein and other advocates of “reform” can we expect this MSM headline? “White House met with ignorance, hatred, and threats. They call themselves ‘Freepers’ but they may as well be called KKK. “It’s that damn talk radio,” said the Senate Minority Leader. . . .”

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

BTTT

[stephenjohnbanker]

EXCELLENT!!

B U M P

[yooling]

Sir, please remind the President that he took an oath of office to, "Uphold the laws of the United States of America".

I am starting to wonder why anyone should obey any law anymore. The administrations support for this AMNESTY bill is killing our party and chipping away at the foundation of our country.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I am sure that among the 400+ replies it’s been asked but I will ask anyway, Will citizens and legal residents accused / convicted of ID theft, document fraud, and sundry similar crimes be able to pay a few bucks and get a clean record? It’s only fa-a-a-a-a-a-air, ya know

[GoreNoMore]

They haven't done anything with all the current laws passed, my only option is

1. "BUILD THE FENCE"

then we'll talk.

See how many go back before the fence is built then we'll analyze the problem.

As I see it, both want a HILLARY win.

[rockabyebaby]

I am soooooooooooooo fed up! I want the same rights as ILLEGALS, I want to be able to drive a vehicle without bothering with a driver’s license, I want to be able to drive a vehicle without having insurance, I want to be able to drive a vehicle without having to register it, I want to commit crimes and not be arrested or prosecuted, I want to be able to go into an emergency room, get treated before all the AMERICAN CITIZENS and get FREE healthcare on top of it, I WANT THE SAME RIGHTS AS ILLEGALS. I want the US government to pander to ME. Senate Bill #1348 is a slap in the face to American CITIZENS, it WILL BE STOPPED.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Don’t forget we are RACISTS too!!

And we are “ILLEGALPHOBES” too!!

[TomasUSMC]

The Presidents continued march off the cliff necessitates VP Cheney to take constitutional steps to replace President Bush.