Posted by
Patrick Henry on Sunday, July 04, 2010 5:51:07 PM
Figuring out how to cover the costs of legalizing illegal immigrants without either
raising taxes or adding to the deficit will be a solid concession by liberals to fiscally
concerned conservatives. In the spirit of linkage we have described, it will beg a
counter-concession from conservatives, and it will entail changing the way in which
a number of Americans do business.
It is America's dirty little open secret that many employers have flaunted the law
by hiring illegal immigrants who will work "off the books" for less than the minimum
wage and no benefits. The result has been entrenched poverty, human exploitation
and states that have to pick up the burden of caring for those whom employers won't.
That will all have to end! It must end not only because it is scandalous and immoral,
but because it is arguably the only way to really solve the illegal immigration problem.
Most illegals come here for work. The argument runs that whatever they can get here
is better than what they had there, which is akin to arguing that death by starvation
is better than death by firing squad. We claim that we are "a nation of laws," yet wink
when employers wantonly choose to break the law in the name of earning stronger
profits. It is hypocritical, undermines the republic and continues to fuel the problem
caused by an unabated northward flow of humanity. If we hire them, they will come.
When we can't, they won't!
Not only will this process be painful, it should be. Successful immigration reform
legislation must impose Draconian fines and hard jail time for employers who know-
ingly hire illegals. Conversely, workers must be provided with something like
biometric identity cards to prove that they are, in fact, in the country legally and
permitted to work here. A refined E-Verify system and dramatically stepped up
enforcement involving ICE raids, IRS audits and spot checks by INS agents will be
needed to root out and prosecute cheaters. There can be no gray areas, no second
chances and no exceptions. It must be exactly like an alcoholic going "on the
wagon." Some businesses will make the argument that they cannot operate at a
profit if they have to meet such requirements. They must be told politely that in
such a case they need to go out of business and make room for those who find
ways to obey the law and prosper. If there are businesses that can't thrive without
exploiting people and breaking laws then America will be the richer without them.
Businesses wishing to keep illegal employees should be allowed to providing (a)
that they pay a fine, and (b) that the illegal agrees to enter into the amnesty program
with an ultimate goal of achieving citizenship. Businesses who release illegals to avoid
fines should have those fines tripled if they later hire them back. Illegals with regular
employment, and an employer who will vouch for them should, along with their nuclear
families, be first in line for any amnesty that is granted.
Employers who exploit people for profit have given capitalism a bad name. Laws
providing painful sanctions and enforcement with real teeth can end this scandal once
and for all. When the word drifts south that employers fear the INS, IRS and the
Justice Department more than they desire cheap labor, the crowds climbing border
fences will dwindle to a trickle, and many of those already here will return home.
ANY solution not incorporating these provisions will not satisfy those on the left, will not expiate the sins of the profiteers and will not pass muster. Business will have to suffer a bit.
In tomorrow's post we look at the enforcement side, how to control the border,
and what to do about those in the country illegally who do not enroll in the structured
amnesty program. Yes, every day's dilemma gets harder!