Thread: It's Time For City to Take a Stand

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/07 ... _25_05.txt

Last modified Monday, July 25, 2005 7:36 PM PDT


It's time for city to take a stand
By: LINDA WOODS

As the Temecula City Council deliberates on a solution to the problem of day laborers congregating on Butterfield Stage Road, other cities are exploring possible solutions to this difficult problem. Many, however, are not looking at a quick fix by moving the laborers up the street to continue the same activities, but are taking the bold, and in the eyes of some, politically incorrect stance of enforcing immigration law.

In Idaho, Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez is looking to the courts for help to stop the drain on the taxpayers. The legal theory is that immigration violations by employers are costing the county millions for law enforcement, education and social services and are a drain on the taxpayers, as well as lowering the labor wage and removing employment opportunities. They are attempting to recoup those expenses by filing a federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act suit. It is the first time the government will sue a business under RICO.

The suggestion of a day labor hiring center by Mayor Jeff Comerchero is unacceptable. The head of the Contra Costa Building and Construction Trade Council, Greg Feere, states that labor centers put legitimate contractors at a disadvantage. Further, "you get nonunion contractors who don't work by the rules, don't offer worker's compensation and pay with cash." Day labor sites make no distinction between legal and illegal and consequently sends a message that we do not care if they are here illegally, inviting others to take advantage of this opportunity. The day labor managers refuse responsibility to verify legal status, which then falls to the employer. If the local government supports these centers, employers may assume that they are legally entitled to work. Further, it is illegal to spend public funds to aid and abet illegal activities.

The Federation for American Immigration Reforms' Web site, describes several ways to confront illegal day labor issues in your community. Further, Numbers USA encourages employers to use the Department of Homeland Security Electronic Employment Verification Program. It enables employers to quickly and easily verify the work authorization of newly hired employees. Also, if you suspect employers competing with you are using an illegal work force, you should contact the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement at (866) 347-2423. The Department of Labor hosts America's Job Bank at www.ajb.org. Thousands of legal workers post their resumes on this site.

Yes, this is harder than picking them up at the corner and paying them under the table. However, we are talking about America's future.

At the June 28 council meeting, our police chief stated that homeowners should enforce trespassing laws by way of a citizens arrest. However, in New Hampshire, a police chief is using trespass laws to arrest illegals, stating that they are trespassing in this country and thus in his state and town. Perhaps a solution. Temecula has given citations for public urination, but with undocumented workers, is this a deterrent and are they likely to heed the citation? A solution? I think not.

Temecula's City Council must reject the easy, politically safe decision of painting a curb, or putting in a no stopping bike lane, by actively seeking and implementing ordinances and enforcement of immigration laws that will, in the final assessment, protect all of our residents, our economy and jobs, our social infrastructure and culture. I am asking Temecula to take a leadership role with bold plans to solve, not move, our community's day labor problem.

Linda Woods is a Temecula resident.

Oh Good Lord. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and doesn't have any papers, then that's an illegal duck.