Questions of how far US crackdown can go

Questions of how far US crackdown can go

Analysts dubious on immigrant plan

By Yvonne Abraham, Globe Staff | April 22, 2006

A new Homeland Security plan to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants
is being billed by federal authorities as a sharp break from a longstanding policy
of giving companies a slap on the wrist when they break the laws.

But immigration analysts say that real enforcement of the Homeland Security Department
plan would require far more resources than the Bush administration has committed to the
new push, and more political spine than it has shown previously.

As part of the program, announced Thursday by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff,
the agency will dedicate 171 agents of its 2,500 nationwide to investigate and take action
against employers who hire undocumented immigrants.

But effectively combating what has become a widespread business practice would require
the government to hire thousands of more investigators, to streamline methods for checking
workers' legal status, and to show a new willingness to stand up to business interests,
the analysts said.