Thread: New Immigration Policies Focus on Employers

New immigration policies focus on employers

Corpus Christi Caller-Times
November 18, 2009

It hasn't attracted much attention yet, but the Obama administration has been quietly implementing its new immigration policy, one that cracks down on employers of undocumented workers and goes a little easier on the workers themselves.

As the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported last week, the policy's first test case took place there in October. More than a thousand workers were fired from their jobs at American Building Maintenance Co. after federal immigration agents audited the company's employment records and found that many lacked the proper documentation.

So far, nobody seems to know what will happen to the company. Will it be fined, or punished in some other way for breaking the law in hiring undocumented workers?

But the workers, while suffering from the loss of their jobs, are largely relieved. They didn't have to go through what some undocumented immigrant workers endured under President Bush: arrest, separation from family members including children, and sudden deportation.

Instead, the ABC workers had plenty of warning. They started hearing rumors about the employment file audit back in June. Those without valid documents were given a month to get their papers in order, followed by a three-month extension. Families were offered help to deal with potential home foreclosures, legal needs, etc. Those eligible to gain legal status were helped to do so.

But the rest are gradually dealing with the consequences of job loss - selling their cars, selling their homes, getting help wherever they can find it. It's not easy, but it's far better than it was under the Bush-era raids.

Interestingly, the Obama administration, presumably after months of carefully studying this issue, has proposed a path to citizenship and a temporary ("guest") worker program. These are precisely what Texan George W. Bush and Obama's 2008 opponent, John McCain of Arizona, also had sought, though they failed to win congressional support. Bush's above-mentioned crackdown came in response to public pressure after his failure to get a comprehensive immigration package passed.

To us it has long been apparent that a comprehensive policy is the only practical way to achieve true reform. Few Americans would support the continuation of the inhumane roundups that took place under Bush, or wholesale deportations of those who are here illegally. While blanket amnesty is widely opposed, a path to citizenship for those who truly want to become Americans, and a guest worker program for those who do not but who still want to work here, are the only realistic ways to get the situation under control.

In addition, the legal immigration process should be simplified and expanded. With a quicker system that allows a greater number of people to enter the United States legally, fewer would resort to illegal entry. That in turn would make it easier for the Border Patrol to focus on the drug traffickers and gun runners who pose a real threat to this country.

While we see hope in the administration's changes, it's also clear that the problem isn't licked yet. Until comprehensive reforms can be passed, signed, and implemented, the government must continue to do all it can to control the border. Another positive from the Obama administration is the expansion of cooperation between federal immigration agents and state and local police, announced last month.

And the administration needs to find a way to keep those who lose their jobs under its new, humane employer crackdowns from just moving on to another job. As the Star Tribune pointed out, the fired Minneapolis workers weren't planning to move back across the border. All were hoping to get another job - which they will likely do, unless prospective employers start being more careful in checking identification.

Of course, with crackdowns looming, employers may be less willing to hire Hispanic workers.

But there is no reason to reject Hispanic workers who are here legally, and have the paperwork to prove it. If employers follow the rules, making sure that the required forms are properly filled out, they will be fine. So will the workers, and their families.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 51&start=7

Evidentally they are still not hearing the people on this issue:

Few Americans would support the continuation of the inhumane roundups that took place under Bush, or wholesale deportations of those who are here illegally

Our former President Reagan gave amnesty although it was not called that.

http://www.answers.com/topic/immigratio ... ct-of-1986

The new employer sanctions, however, could cause great hardships for illegal immigrants who had been living and working in the United States for many years. The IRCA provided a program for certain illegal immigrants who had lived in the United States since at least January 1, 1982, to apply to become legal residents with the right to work. A different program allowed seasonal agricultural workers to apply for legal residency. Newly legal residents could eventually become citizens.

In fact back in 1986 I do not ever remember even hearing news of this amnesty that was given to MILLIONS of ,then,illegal alaiens!

Those eligible to gain legal status were helped to do so.

Just who were they? Something is telling me these are illegals who have no right to legal status and should have been deported.......we all know their is a defacto amnesty going on here!

It hasn't attracted much attention yet, but the Obama administration has been quietly implementing its new immigration policy, one that cracks down on employers of undocumented workers and goes a little easier on the workers themselves.

Thats not true. Everyone is aware that Obama and Homeland Security have stopped enforcing all of our laws and are now concentrating on making sure that illegal aliens and their families are protected from getting arrested and deported. EVEN E-VERIFY when added as an amendment to several bills has been knocked out by the dems. So employers will continue to hire illegals and not be charged for it.