Chi. Tribune: Chertoff issues warning to firms who hire illegal immigrants

[Eugene]

(Chicago Tribune via mercurynews.com)

Posted on Thu, Apr. 20, 2006

Chertoff issues warning to firms who hire illegal immigrants

BY FRANK JAMES
Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON - A day after federal agents arrested 1,187 people on illegal immigration charges
in the nation's largest-ever work-site enforcement action, Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff on Thursday warned of an intensified campaign to target employers whose businesses
rely on large numbers of undocumented workers.

But there was suspicion among some immigration lawyers that the crackdown was more a Bush
administration response to criticism that for years it had done too little work-site enforcement.
They questioned whether the administration would follow through with the new get-tough approach.

<snip>

Legislation that was part of a Senate compromise that might be taken up next week when Congress
returns would create a new guest-worker program and allow undocumented immigrants to apply
for legal status in the United States, a path that could lead to citizenship.

Congressional and other critics of legalization have pointed to the lack of work-site enforcement
of immigration laws as a reason to oppose the proposal.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14391307.htm

Related AP story: Feds Warn Companies Using Illegal Workers

If history is any guide, the government will crack down, but it will back off
as soon as business leaders start screaming.

[rodeodance]

1. Chertoff was on TV with the announcement. He was talking of intell

survailance. It was like her was after terrrorists. I just think this whole thing has gone too far. It was just too much of a photo op opportunity for me.

[napi21]

3. I agree with the photo-op for sure, but if you believe what was

on Anderson Cooper last night, the announcement yesterday was only a small piece of what they've been doing. At leaast on his show, they talked about many thousands of illegals have been flown out of the Country and returned to their homeland since September 2005, and that most were back to South America. They talked about at lest 3 MD80's a week and lately there have been more than that.

I know, I'm very hesitant to believe anything I hear in the news too, so I guess we'll have to see if this proves true or not.

[aquart]

2. Yeah. Halliburton's real scared.

[cap]

4. this is really to scare the demonstrators...

the company targeted is a german company doing business in the mid-west.

They wont go after the illegals working in NO for cleanup purposes. They wont hit a major American owned corporation.

Amazing isnt it .... how this all happened after major Latino demonstrations. They want to dampen Latino action on May 1... They dont want Latinos to show their economic muscle.

[rodeodance]

5. thanks, I did not know about the specifics of the company.

[justice1]

6. You're completely right.

In addition, I'm wondering if it's a dry run for their internment camps, so they will be prepared when Americans have hit their limit, and start to protest.