Thread: Illegals should snitch

Illegals should snitch



By Dimitri Vassilaros
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, May 5, 2006


Cinco de Mayo, a hybrid holiday for Mexicans and Americans to party (especially in tourist-friendly towns such as Tijuana and San Diego), is as good a day as any to propose a devastatingly simple solution to end illegal immigration. Instead of deporting the roughly 11 million illegal aliens in the U.S., put a bounty on the heads of employers to turn illegals into snitches.

One of the most disgusting aspects of the illegal immigration invasion of this republic -- perhaps the most disgusting -- is listening to President George W. Bush, Congress, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Big Media and other advocates of illegal immigration essentially say that America is impotent to do anything about the invaders, other than surrender and offer citizenship so they will quit scaring us with their marches, Mexican flags and racist rhetoric.

That would be the same America that is the most powerful military and economic force in human history.

Apologists for illegals use the "false choice" argument suggesting there only are two solutions to deal with illegals -- deportation or citizenship.


Or "whistle-blowing" for those who think outside the box. Almost overnight, the feds could have 11 million potential confidential informants as 11 million pairs of eyeballs would look to cash in by turning in their unscrupulous employers.

Offer an enticing reward -- maybe $50,000 and American citizenship for the snitch and his immediate family -- for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the employer. How many bosses would risk paranoia and prison by not firing their illegal hires?

Informing the illegals about the potential bonanza would be easy. Spanish-language radio stations could spread the word easily and quickly. And any ensuing debate regarding the new tactic would be that much more free publicity.

No employer, no matter how underground he wanted to be, would be safe. Instead of being on the lookout for federal agents, the de facto potential agents of the feds he hired would be looking at him wondering when they should drop a peso (make that "dime") on him. The very reason he hired illegals -- because they are desperate for money -- could work against him. A snitch would make more working for the feds and earn citizenship for him and loved ones.

Whistle-blowing would be very cost-effective. Instead of sending undercover agents to fan out across the nation looking for the lawbreaking employers and hoping to entice potential witnesses to stay for depositions as they worry about deportation, set up a toll-free number ("push 2 to hear this message in Spanish") and then be inundated with tips.

The Bush administration probably would not consider this nearly foolproof plan because it just might work. However, there would be nothing to stop a state from implementing it. Even though citizenship could not be part of the package, the snitches could be assured of anonymity so they could remain in America.

The program would not be costly because it would not take many high-profile convictions to convince employers to purge illegals from the payroll.

Since the government won't do the work to enforce immigration law, a bounty will encourage illegals to do that job, too.

Dimitri Vassilaros is a Trib editorial page columnist. His column appears Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Call him at 412-380-5637. E-mail him at dvassilaros@tribweb.com.


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 50495.html

Cute Idea. Wonder how long the "soliderty" would continue when there's a buck to be made?