Thread: Hatch: Legalizing immigrants not a 'boon' to economy

Hatch: Legalizing immigrants not a 'boon' to economy
Napolitano says doing so would allow them to pay taxes.

By Thomas Burr

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 11/20/2009 03:52:24 PM MST

Washington » Sen. Orrin Hatch and fellow Republican senators criticized Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday for her recent remarks that putting undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship would boost the economy.

Napolitano, in remarks last week to the Center for American Progress, said that a "tough and fair pathway" to legal status for millions of immigrants would bring them out of the "shadows" and allow them to pay taxes as legal Americans do.

"Making sure these people become full taxpayers and pay their fair share will both benefit our economy and make it easier to enforce the laws against unscrupulous or exploitative employers," Napolitano said.

Hatch and 11 fellow Republican senators charge that rewarding undocumented immigrants with legal status would hinder Americans' ability to find jobs.

"With all due respect, legalizing those who have no legal right to be in the United States will not be a 'boon' to American workers," the senators wrote. "Rather, it would only exacerbate the unfair competition American workers currently face as they struggle to find jobs."

The senators asked Napolitano to halt any talk of enacting a "legalization program" that would only hurt U.S. workers and impede law-abiding citizens opportunities during the economic downturn.

Napolitano said in her speech Nov. 13 that a rigid pathway to legal status would require immigrants who are in the United States illegally to register, pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, learn English and pay all taxes.

"Our system must be strong enough to prevent illegal entry and to get criminal aliens off our streets and out of the country," Napolitano said. "But it must also be smart enough to reward the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit that immigrants have always brought to America -- traits that have built our nation."

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Matt Chandler would not respond directly to Hatch's criticisms, but defended Napolitano's position.

"Secretary Napolitano will respond directly to Senator Hatch, as we do not respond to correspondence through the media," Chandler said. " As the secretary has said, Congress needs to create the legal framework to bring people out of the shadows and increase the number of productive taxpayers -- otherwise all we have is amnesty by inaction. By disrupting the shadow economy that draws millions of illegal immigrants to this country, American workers will benefit."

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13833418?source=rss

"Our system must be strong enough to prevent illegal entry and to get criminal aliens off our streets and out of the country," Napolitano said. "But it must also be smart enough to reward the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit that immigrants have always brought to America -- traits that have built our nation."

This woman is the head of Homeland Security and she does not know the difference between immigrants and illegal invaders! Amazing

Hurra. Well said Senators.
Finally some offense against the open border lobby from our public servants.

U.S. Sen. Grassley: Senators take exception with administration remarks that legalizing undocumented workers will help economy
11/20/2009



WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley and several colleagues today took exception with remarks made by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to the Center for American Progress about legalizing undocumented individuals.

The Senators wrote a letter to Napolitano to express disappointment when she said, “Requiring illegal immigrants to register to earn legal status…will strengthen our economy as these immigrants become fullâ€

a rigid pathway to legal status would require immigrants who are in the United States illegally to register, pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, learn English and pay all taxes

First, I don't believe illegals want to do any of those things. In the absence of enforcement, they will simply chose to go on as they are, collecting benefits, with no obligation to pay taxes or take up civic responsibilities, speaking Spanish only, and engaging in I.D. theft.

Second, does anyone believe that "hiding in the shadows" garbage anymore? I don't call marching in the streets waving the Mexican flag hiding in the shadows. I call it "hey, look at me, I'm illegal and proud to be leaching off the American taxpayers."

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

a rigid pathway to legal status would require immigrants who are in the United States illegally to register, pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, learn English and pay all taxes

First, I don't believe illegals want to do any of those things. In the absence of enforcement, they will simply chose to go on as they are, collecting benefits, with no obligation to pay taxes or take up civic responsibilities, speaking Spanish only, and engaging in I.D. theft.

Second, does anyone believe that "hiding in the shadows" garbage anymore? I don't call marching in the streets waving the Mexican flag hiding in the shadows. I call it "hey, look at me, I'm illegal and proud to be leaching off the American taxpayers."

The metaphor "hiding in the shadows" was invented on the same day the the open border zealots coined the phrase, "anyone who believes that our immigration laws should be enforced is a racist. "

It always has been a lie and it always will be a lie! Both were created by the illegal invader militants, to drum up sympathy for their illegal invaders (mod edit)

Besides, anyone who lives in California knows for a FACT these (Mod edit) are hiding in broad daylight, unrestrained from any fear or care in the world of ever being questioned, let alone deported! They are out in the open, conducting themselves with that all too familiar bravado and arrogance they are so well know for.

Great letter and both of Idaho Senators signed it, this makes me happy! Sen. Crapo and Sen. Risch...way to gooooo!

BTW....Janet if full of crap! All amnesty will do is encourge more illegal immigration, learn your history Janet!

Quote:
"Here is a copy of the text of the letter to Napolitano from Senators Grassley, Jeff Sessions, David Vitter, Saxby Chambliss, Mike Crapo, Jim Bunning, Jim Inhofe, Orrin Hatch, James Risch, Roger Wicker, John Thune and Johnny Isakson."

Calls, emails, and Faxes of appreciation in order here, especially from these Senators' constituents!

" legalizing undocumented workers will help economy "


Really? They got any proof to back that up? Anything statistical analysis from the GAO? Fact is that a huge amount of Illegals work off the books and will continue to do so. First thing they will do after Amnesty is run down to the local Welfare office and overwhelm an already over burdened Social Safety Net System. Are they going to prosecute the ones working on the books using stolen identities, SS numbers of american citizens?,or give them Amnesty for serious felonies as such. If they do it sets a dangerous precedent because every convicted felon prosecuted for the same serious felonies will want there record expunged and they will be within they rights to petition courts to do just that.

Good post Reciprocity. One other point is that pro-illegal groups claim that these workers will begin paying taxes, when the truth is that the vast majority of them are low income and will, instead of paying taxes, collect EITC. Another flow of tax dollars from citizens to illegals.