Thread: Illegal workers weigh on election

Page last updated at 08:00 GMT, Monday, 25 August 2008 09:00 UK


Illegal workers weigh on election
By Caroline Hepker
Business reporter, BBC News, New Mexico



Despite the crackdowns, many Mexicans still want to go to the US

America's presidential race is picking up speed.

Both parties are preparing to officially crown their candidates and vice-presidential nominees.

But in the coming weeks the hopefuls will have to address head-on voters' greatest concerns.

Here in New Mexico, where Barack Obama and John McCain have campaigned in recent weeks, one of the most divisive issues is illegal immigration.

This is a so-called swing-state, one of those that could decide the election.

A sparsely populated, arid land on the US-Mexico border, New Mexico is a poor state.

Few job-seekers stay here and consequently the unemployment rate of just 3.9% is well below the national average.

It is here that employers must balance the need for a skilled and willing workforce against the severe penalties for hiring undocumented workers.

Businesses can be fined thousands of dollars and face jail sentences for knowingly hiring illegal workers.

'Pay you less'

In March, the Bush administration increased the financial penalties for the first time in almost a decade, whilst criminal prosecutions are on the rise.

We don't see a lot of Americans wanting to come and take these positions

Leslie Miller

Valentin crossed the border into the US illegally, and worked in construction for eight years, until he could get a legal work permit. He knows the dangers of that clandestine life.

"You need to find a job where they will take you on as you are," he says.

"Sometimes you have to tell the boss the truth. Sometimes that's good.


Illegal immigration is a big political issue in the US

"Other times they can take advantage of you and pay you less."

The young Mexican now works for Leslie Miller at a forge in Albuquerque, making steel construction beams.

Ms Miller, who took over the business from her father, admits to hiring undocumented workers despite the risks.

She says she pays them the same as local workers and argues that hiring the men is both the right thing to do, as well as, a necessity.

"We don't see a lot of Americans wanting to come and take these positions," she says.

"These people didn't take the jobs. They were jobs Americans didn't want to take."

'Jail terms'

Last year, there was a wave of demonstrations, debate and legal action in the US over illegal immigration.

The employer wants to protect the workforce, the Department of Homeland Security wants to deport the workforce

Immigration lawyer John Lawit

In August 2007, the Washington-based Centre for Immigration Studies estimated there 12.5 million illegal migrants living in America.

The policy advocacy group wants to see fewer immigrants entering the US.

One year on, its survey shows an 11% drop in the number of illegal immigrants, to 11.2 million.

The Centre credits President Bush's clamp down. Economists says it is more likely the US economic slowdown that is deterring people.

Immigration lawyer John Lawit, who represents Valentin in Albuquerque, says the government's tough agenda is a mistake.

"The concept of making employers into policemen and putting a wedge between employers and employees is nonsense," he says.

"The employer wants to protect the workforce, the Department of Homeland Security wants to deport the workforce."

Caught in the middle, employers such as Leslie Miller worry about being caught on the wrong side of the law.

"It is very expensive if they came down and cited us for having [undocumented] employees. It's jail terms," she says.

"The financial risk is enormous. Until we decide it's important to educate our children and give them vocational skills, these people are the only ones that are coming able to do this work."

Be they Republican or Democrat, this is a dilemma that will doubtless land on the desk of the next US president.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7580453.stm

This is a so-called swing-state, one of those that could decide the election.

A sparsely populated, arid land on the US-Mexico border, New Mexico is a poor state.

Don't know how a sparsely populated state can decide ANY election.

Leslie Miller

Valentin crossed the border into the US illegally, and worked in construction for eight years, until he could get a legal work permit. He knows the dangers of that clandestine life.

"You need to find a job where they will take you on as you are," he says.

"Sometimes you have to tell the boss the truth. Sometimes that's good.


Illegal immigration is a big political issue in the US

"Other times they can take advantage of you and pay you less."

The young Mexican now works for Leslie Miller at a forge in Albuquerque, making steel construction beams.

Ms Miller, who took over the business from her father, admits to hiring undocumented workers despite the risks.

She says she pays them the same as local workers and argues that hiring the men is both the right thing to do, as well as, a necessity.

"We don't see a lot of Americans wanting to come and take these positions," she says.

"These people didn't take the jobs. They were jobs Americans didn't want to take."

Look like Leslie Miller's company should get a visit from ICE.

"The financial risk is enormous. Until we decide it's important to educate our children and give them vocational skills, these people are the only ones that are coming able to do this work."

Oh my what a WHOPPER of a lie! She actually believes that these illegal aliens have been trained to work with steel in their home countries? Well then, why don't they work IN their home countries?!?! We've got plenty of Americans with vocational skills lady, hire them!

She says she pays them the same as local workers and argues that hiring the men is both the right thing to do, as well as, a necessity.

"We don't see a lot of Americans wanting to come and take these positions," she says.

"These people didn't take the jobs. They were jobs Americans didn't want to take."




And THAT, Lisa Miller, is a load of horse crap.

My ex father in law was forced out of his job at a steel plant, along with hundreds of other American employees.......allegedly because the plant was scaling back operations when in reality they replaced those workers with IAs.

Those Americans were making damned good money doing what they did and had full benefits provided by the company. It was a much sought after job with American workers chomping at the bit for the opportunity to be hired on there. You could drive by that plant any day of the week and see the line of people.....AMERICAN people......in line to pick up or drop off applications. High School kids starting their senior years would go and apply in hopes of landing a job there upon graduation.

So please.......spare us your BS stories about how Americans don't WANT those jobs. Those jobs are what MADE the American middle class, those jobs are why ILLEGAL ALIENS are now the ones enjoying the lifestyle and ability to support their families that Americans, who rightfully should have those jobs, no longer enjoy.

People like you make me sick and the day can't come soon enough when ICE raids your ass.

Originally Posted by azwreath

She says she pays them the same as local workers and argues that hiring the men is both the right thing to do, as well as, a necessity.

"We don't see a lot of Americans wanting to come and take these positions," she says.

"These people didn't take the jobs. They were jobs Americans didn't want to take."




And THAT, Lisa Miller, is a load of horse crap.

My ex father in law was forced out of his job at a steel plant, along with hundreds of other American employees.......allegedly because the plant was scaling back operations when in reality they replaced those workers with IAs.

Those Americans were making damned good money doing what they did and had full benefits provided by the company. It was a much sought after job with American workers chomping at the bit for the opportunity to be hired on there. You could drive by that plant any day of the week and see the line of people.....AMERICAN people......in line to pick up or drop off applications. High School kids starting their senior years would go and apply in hopes of landing a job there upon graduation.

So please.......spare us your BS stories about how Americans don't WANT those jobs. Those jobs are what MADE the American middle class, those jobs are why ILLEGAL ALIENS are now the ones enjoying the lifestyle and ability to support their families that Americans, who rightfully should have those jobs, no longer enjoy.

People like you make me sick and the day can't come soon enough when ICE raids your ass.

"POSTVILLE" HER!!!!!

"It is very expensive if they came down and cited us for having [undocumented] employees. It's jail terms," she says.

"The financial risk is enormous. Until we decide it's important to educate our children and give them vocational skills, these people are the only ones that are coming able to do this work."

Here's the very simple answer: on-the-job training for AMERICANS. No fines, no jail terms. Otherwise, she can explain how anyone other than a steel company can train employees to be steel workers. I've never heard of a vocational school teaching that particular skill, or maybe she wants the parents to teach steelworking?

Why would anyone care what an illegal thinks about OUR election?? They will not be voting and they're illegal!! So, who the hell cares???