New War on Illegal Immigration

ABC News ^ | October 4, 2007 | Pierre Thomas, Jack Date, Theresa Cook

[yorkie]

It is a new war on illegal immigration that grows increasingly visible and more intense by the day.

I think we're talking about something the American people have never seen before, which is what do we do and what do we see when the government gets serious about using all the legal tools available to make the law work and to enforce the law," Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff told ABC News in an exclusive interview.

"And that's why there has been a tenfold increase or more in the number of absconders [fugitive aliens] that we've rounded up and sent back. And that's why there have been dramatic increases in our removals, [and] we've gone from one or two criminal cases five or six years ago to about 800 criminal cases this past year, because we are really pulling out all the stops," Chertoff continued.

Across the country, federal agents have been raiding businesses and homes in an unprecedented campaign targeting illegal immigrants.

Just last month, federal agents conducted work-site raids in seven cities, arresting nearly 200 undocumented workers. Another 2,357 illegal immigrants previously ordered deported were also rounded up.

In the last week in California, 1,300 illegal immigrants were arrested -- one of the biggest sweeps in recent memory. On Long Island, authorities rounded up 186 people -- most are believed to be gang members. In Nevada, more that 50 workers at McDonald's restaurants were recently targeted.

But the raids have sparked protests in a frightened and frustrated immigrant community.

"They're not criminals. They want to work," said one protestor. "We want to do things right for them and for this country."

[businessprofessor]

Your personal attacks are ridiculous. I have devoted lots of time to call, write, fax, and talk to elected officials about the recent horrible immigration bills. I am a staunch foe of amnesty and a strong advocate for enforcement first and attrition through enforcement.

I admit there are businesses who are actively breaking the law and others who are looking the other way while hiring illegals. I support prosecution of the businesses actively breaking the law. Most businesses are not actively breaking immigration laws. Until better tools are available to check documents and prevent hiring, the situation will not improve much. If your competitors have a lower cost structure, you need to lower costs to stay in business. The tools need to be applied uniformly to prevent competitive advantage by hiring illegals. I support better tools but the other side is preventing development and usage of the tools.

Most businesses are not sellouts or traitors. They are reacting to gridlock on the immigration issue and the lower cost structure. With many illegals hired, it is natural that these businesses become amnesty supporters. They are not being traitors to support amnesty and open borders policies. I strongly disagree with their opinions but they are certainly entitled to their views.

[dragnet2]

I admit there are businesses who are actively breaking the law and others who are looking the other way while hiring illegals.

Well, at least you admit it. I could tell you endless stories about just how greedy, and corrupt many of these corporations/employers are in regards to hiring illegal aliens at all costs.

Entire industries now are all but Spanish speaking illegals including the hotel, heating and air conditioning, all aspects of construction, trucking is going the same way, landscaping, all restaurants and food industry, what's left of manufacturing, etc etc etc.

Like I said, anyone who feels that multi-zillion dollar corporations like McDonald's "hands are tied" and would never knowingly hire illegal aliens is living in fantasy land.

It's so bad, you've got companies assisting illegal aliens and instructing them on what to write down, what to say, and basically how to undermine and go around the system. The fix is in, and the fat cats are basically protected.

I guess there are people still left who haven't a clue what is really going on in their own towns and states.

Most of these employers/corporations much like our corrupt political representatives, are fully aiding and abetting this colossal violent invasion, allowing this endless flood of criminals to completely undermine and compromise everything America, including our electoral process.

It's all about profits regardless of consequences.

And I can only hope those that aid and abet this glaring overt destruction of our country will one day be held directly responsible for what they've done to it.