Illegals and the economy

Employers discuss how undocumented immigrants affect businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Friday, November 03, 206
By ANTHONY SALAMONE
The Express-Times

HANOVER TWP. | John Brinson hired a Mexican immigrant he believed had legal documents.

About three years later, Brinson learned otherwise.

"I called him in, asked what happened," recalled Brinson, who's CEO of Lehigh Valley Racquet & 24-7 Fitness Clubs. "He said, 'I paid $3,000 for my documents in Los Angeles.'"

The employee has returned to Mexico to apply for a visa that would enable him to re-enter the U.S. legally, according to Brinson.

That was at least two years ago, Brinson added, "and he's still not back."

Brinson and attorney David Vaida shared experiences Thursday about how illegal immigration affects the Lehigh Valley during a forum at the Best Western Lehigh Valley Conference Center

Vaida said immigrants like the Mexican whom Brinson hired have found what has become a "tremendous black market" for illegal documents. He insisted that for $100, someone could get fake identification documents.

"Unless we come up with a compassionate position that a broad spectrum of American people is willing to accept, what you're going to have is a fight and no exit," Vaida said.

The topic, "Illegal Work? Immigration Law & the Ethics of Employment" was intended to focus on the issue related to the workplace. It turned into a general discussion involving Vaida and Brinson on illegal immigration.

Both men favor reforming the system, but they differ on exactly how to do it.

About 90 people attended the event, which included table discussions and a question-and-answer period.

Attorney Peter Lehr asked how employers should act if they find out they have hired illegal workers.

Brinson said he hired an immigration lawyer to find out his options with the Mexican.
Brinson suggests the U.S. shut down the entire border with Mexico, decrease the length of vacation visas and increase sanctions against violators, including deportation, among other steps.

Vaida supports President Bush's plans to control the border, deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. and create an "administrative system" that permits employers to hire immigrants.

"I did everything I could to keep the guy," he said. "Couldn't be done."

Vaida said as long as employers act in good faith, the government should be willing to "cut you some slack."

"But at the end of the day, if you can't adjust that person's status, legally you've got to let them go," he added.

The forum drew a mix of people from business, education, government and churches, according to the Rev. Thomas Dailey, director of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture, which sponsored the event.
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