Thread: OR:A booby trap for illegal immigration

A booby trap for illegal immigration
by Editorial Board, The Oregonian
Monday November 10, 2008, 3:24 AM
Rob Finch/The OregonianThe day labor site that Portland opened earlier this year has drawn fire, understandably, because it appears to legitimize hiring illegal workers (it's also drawn some legal ones).
Columbia County voters express their frustration by approving a measure to penalize employers

In the twilight of the Bush presidency, all that he did wrong stands out -- and it's a long list.

Harder to see perhaps is something President Bush pursued that was savvy, farsighted, humane and very, very right.

The president from a border state tried, in vain, to get our nation to wrap its mind around the reality of 12 million illegal immigrants living in our midst.

Recognizing the reality would mean strengthening border security and employer sanctions, yes -- and the Bush administration has begun that process. But it would also mean, simultaneously, supplying guest workers to industries that need them. And giving the illegal population -- including 175,000 living in Oregon -- an incentive to emerge, blinking, into the sunlight and regularize their status.

All three things have to happen at about the same time to avoid economic harm to the nursery business, agriculture, meatpacking and other industries that depend on these workers. Unfortunately, last year, a comprehensive reform effort fizzled in Congress. In the vacuum left by the federal government, a confusing tangle of state and local rules have proliferated, aimed at tripping up illegal immigrants and their employers.

Last week, Columbia County added its own booby trap to the mix. To the surprise, seemingly, even of the man who authored it, county voters approved a measure requiring the county to fine or even shut down businesses that hire illegal workers. A first violation could entail a $10,000 fine, a second the yanking of a business license.

The measure is so wrapped in razor wire, and involves so many flying parts and governmental jurisdictions, that it's hard to see how it could ever be implemented. Also, like other such measures around the country, it's vulnerable to a court challenge.

But let's assume the trap succeeds in bringing down some local businesses and depressing the local economy. The people hurt most would be the 46,220 residents of Columbia County.

An Oregon State University study last summer showed how entertwined we all are, economically. Illegal workers make up only 4.3 percent of the state's work force, but they're consumers, too. If they all vanished overnight, not only would some signature Oregon industries flat-line, but total state employment would decline by 7.7 percent.

The state's economic output would shrink by 3.5 percent to 5 percent, a hit big enough to cancel a year of economic expansion. And state tax revenues would decline by roughly half a billion dollars a year.

Congress and a new president may not be eager to attempt immigration reform again. It's an ambitious undertaking, and the new president will have many other priorities. Still, we repeat: President Bush was right.

We need to get it done.

Until we do, Americans are likely to keep setting booby traps for illegal workers, traps in which these same Americans will, above all, snag themselves.
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index ... immig.html

Last week, Columbia County added its own booby trap to the mix. To the surprise, seemingly, even of the man who authored it, county voters approved a measure requiring the county to fine or even shut down businesses that hire illegal workers. A first violation could entail a $10,000 fine, a second the yanking of a business license.

"BOOBY TRAP"? This isnt a booby trap. It is a much needed bill to stop employers from hiring illegal aliens. And finally its a bill that will make people start following the law. Employers need to hire Americans and pay them a decent wage.

An Oregon State University study last summer showed how entertwined we all are, economically. Illegal workers make up only 4.3 percent of the state's work force, but they're consumers, too. If they all vanished overnight, not only would some signature Oregon industries flat-line, but total state employment would decline by 7.7 percent.

Um did they figure in that maybe legal citizens now unemployeed may now take these jobs??? Open jobs may bring more people to the community and create more consumers would it not?

But let's assume the trap succeeds in bringing down some local businesses and depressing the local economy. The people hurt most would be the 46,220 residents of Columbia County.

An Oregon State University study last summer showed how entertwined we all are, economically. Illegal workers make up only 4.3 percent of the state's work force, but they're consumers, too. If they all vanished overnight, not only would some signature Oregon industries flat-line, but total state employment would decline by 7.7 percent.

The state's economic output would shrink by 3.5 percent to 5 percent, a hit big enough to cancel a year of economic expansion. And state tax revenues would decline by roughly half a billion dollars a year.

Did the OSU study also show the costs of illegal immigration? How many tax dollars were spent on social services and medical services for illegal aliens in Oregon? What were the social costs in terms of increased crime and gang activities? What were the social costs in terms of citizens injured or killed by illegal aliens driving?

I don't know about the traps, but the boobies all seem to be on the Oregonian editorial staff.

These people have know idea what they are talking about...add up all the money they cost the American taxpayer and figure in all the money they send back to their home country that is not going into our economy, it is astonishing.

At least if Americans are doing those jobs the money gets spent in this country.