There is a simple fix for immigration from Mexico. Punish the employers.

[Hamlette]

I've worked at the unemployment office for 20 years. Illegal immigrants do not get unemployment benefits but what is clear is they come to this country for work. If there was no work, they would not come. They are ineligible for any welfare program except emergency medical if on death's door.

During Reagan and again during Clinton we passed strong laws to go against employers. During each administration we prosecuted at least one employer for hiring illegals. Problem is, the political will was not there. I remember the case under Clinton, US Senators put pressure on the federal government to drop the charges because the employer was upstanding and "a job creator". The outcry became so loud that we dropped the charges against the employer.

In a mid western state (can't remember which) the governor decided to crack down on meat processing plants because they hired so many illegals. They did raids, locked up the illegals and fined the employers. The employers just moved to the state next door and open their businesses there because they couldn't afford to stay in business if they didn't hire illegals. The state that cracked down lost lots of industry.

And remember, the Chamber of Commerce has also been against clamping down on immigration, especially illegal immigration. Let that sink in. Businesses want the cheap labor.

So we do nothing. Except stoke the flames of hatred against illegal immigrants but let them in because businesses control the policy. Stupid punishment and exploitation of vulnerable people to protect business.

And what drives me crazy is, no one talks about it. Why not?

[2naSalit]

1. It's a trade secret....nt

[Trust Buster]

2. This is the argument that I use when talking to a right winger. But, in truth, this country needs

immigrant labor. We need a system to admit and account for immigrant labor in industries of our choosing. Being able to come out of the shadows would increase their wages as well as improve their working conditions.

[Hamlette]

3. bingo, that's why we don't stop it, we need it. But we gotta feed the rubes. Disgusting.

[Trust Buster]

5. If migrants didn't have to fear deportation, they could command higher wages and better working

conditions. Many employers like migrants having no legal status. They use that to impose inhumane wages and working conditions upon them. We are better than that as a country.

[treestar]

12. The current immigrants are just like the ones of old

doing the jobs like the ones those immigrants did. But our ancestors were not saddled with "illegal." This immigration is natural like the previous immigration. We just like to look down on them for coming "illegally" when there were no such restrictions on our ancestors.

[napi21]

4. I've said that for years! When I worked, we were very careful to fil out the info on the I9.

What happened since then I have no idea, but now apparently a lot of employers don't care. They're more intent on getting cheap labor and making as much $$ as possible. Every time I propose punishing the employer for hiring the undocumented I'm reminded by the Pubs that "We win't punish the employers. THEY provide jobs!

[Trust Buster]

6. Then tax their greedy asses and let them pay for the wall since they're the ones reaping profits.

Right wingers talk in circles. They think they're tricky assholes when they're really just assholes.

[Sherman A1]

8. Agreed

You hit the nail on the head. It would be the quickest and easiest way to clear up the whole issue.

[Hamlette]

7. they have developed ways around the I9 but it is still used and honest employers require it

the problem is, the employers do not have access to the social security records to check employees. And the SSA does not want to give all their records to employers. We have access and there has been talk of having us verify the SS# but it never passed. In part because they are not serious about stopping illegal immigration!

Hundreds of construction companies in my state formed limited liability companies and made all of their employees "members" who were in theory entitled to share in the profits. Since they were no longer employees, they had no rights. We shut it down but it took us about a year to figure it out and find a solution and enforce it. Who knows what they will come up with next.

I had a boss years ago who was a real tea partier. She did not believe employers would be dishonest, just workers. She required all kinds of proof. And for a group that hates rules and regulations twice as many were passed under her than anyone else.

[Warren DeMontague]

9. Exactly.

[treestar]

10. The cheap labor makes prices lower

We just like holding "illegal" over their heads and complaining about them being here while enjoying the lower prices their cheap labor provides. Solution is to create a visa, and allow enough of them, for them to work here legally, go home off season. But if they were legal the laws would apply and they'd have to be paid minimum wage. Prices would go up.

Reagan passed that amnesty in return for the employer sanctions in 1986. Nobody really wants to sanction the employers or wants no one to do those jobs or having to pay minimum wage. There is a reason we don't enforce the laws.

[LittleGirl]

11. In AZ

where my bff works for DES, they do not ask about citizenship. So your notion that illegals don't get welfare is wrong. They ask for the healthcare system because I know that for a fact. I was asked when I signed up.

[safeinOhio]

13. Much cheaper to just require a photo

on all SS cards. Anyone that hires undocumented workers gets ten grand fine for each one and six months in jail for each one. That would be the highest person in the company.