Democrats blast Bush administration for targeting workers, not employers, in immigration raids

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, blasted the Bush administration today for conducting what Democrats described as harsh and punitive immigration raids, calling special attention to a raid at a kosher meatpacking plant in Iowa last May where nearly 400 illegal workers, mainly Guatemalans, were arrested in the largest worksite immigration raid in U.S. history.

Lofgren, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee's immigration panel, said at a hearing on the raid that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rounded up workers at the Agriprocessors meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa, and then they were "herded into a cattle arena and prodded down a cattle chute, coerced into guilty pleas and then to federal prison."

In all, 306 illegal immigrants ultimately were charged with Social Security fraud for using illegal Social Security numbers, and also a higher offense, aggravated identity theft, which carried two-year mandatory minimum sentence. The government offered a plea bargain to dismiss the identity theft charge in return for their admission to the lesser offense, which gave them a five-month sentence and order of removal.

Lofgren and other Democrats on the panel accused the administration of targeting workers instead of employers in what has become a major enforcement crackdown on illegal immigration since the collapse last year of a comprehensive immigration overhaul that would have eased legalization requirements. The overhaul was backed by President Bush and most Democrats, and opposed by most Republicans. It died in the Senate in June 2007.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/24/MN6P11V1JC.DTL&type=politics

choose to do. This is why the bosses aren't being targeted. It's disenfranchisement and bullying, an attempt to create cheap, abusable, disposable labor.

It's sadistic. There would only be bosses and slaves in their grand vision, and no one to challenge them or hold them to account.

fine the employers for hiring illegals ... once you take away the incentive, the illegals will cease to seek employment here ...

As long as companies are willing to hire illegals and not pay the consequences, they'll keep doing it. As soon as one batch gets shipped off (preferably after the shift is over but before they get paid), there are plenty who will take their place ... that's the Right thought process ...

Fining the employers would only add to their "costs of doing business" and would ultimately be passed on the the customer.
If you want to take away the incentive, how's about a two year mandatory sentence for employing illegals?

I know... what am I thinking? This is MURIKA! Rich white men don't go to prison in MURIKA! :sarcasm:

--MAB

I suggested that the employers get the same option that the RWers had about "adult videos".

Back then, one RWer suggested that there be a license to rent "adult videos". Each copy of each title had to have its own individual license - of approximately $1000. Per tape/DVD.

So, I take their idea ... the employers can use illegal immigrants legally and without punishment - if they get a license to do so. The fee for the license? $1000 per illegal immigrant worker per day.

They are breaking the law by hiring illegals in the first place, they'll just ignore the license and continue breaking the law.

something to the tune of $5k per offense ...

the problem is, the "law and order" police depts seem to look the other way ... no crime's being committed unless it's some liberal protestor jaywalking ... then it's time to "bust some heads" ...

I'm not sure that I have any big problem with "illegal" immigration, myself. I'd prefer a more open door.

But that said, if the goal is to stop it, then start arresting those employers who flaunt the law. Not fines, which as you say are written off as the cost of doing business. Jail time.

Once it actually impacts THEIR lives, they'll start doing something about it.

He makes Nixon and Reagan look like patriots by comparison.

the solution of destroying Poor Immigrant families by cutting their source of income comes out on both sides of the political spectrum.

There is no humanitarian proposal in trying to make people to starve before they deport themselves to their native country, where is the compassion of the american public? not in the democratic or republican party.

at Employers Fight Tough Measures on Immigration

They point out that it is the employers themselves trying to light up on the raids. They also talk about Arizona's law, and that they are trying to ease the restrictions somewhat.

Frankly, I think that if you hire an illegal, you take your medicine. Get a program established that brings folks here LEGALLY. I bet a whole lot of current problems would ease.

Politically, it allows leaders to pretend they are doing their job. Send a couple CEO's to jail and demand may start to dry up.

Sending businessmen to jail is against everything the Reps believe in. Of course if the businessman is a Dem, all bets are off.