Thread: NO AMNESTY; TOUGHER EMPLOYER ENFORCEMENT : BRIAN BILBRAY

No amnesty; tougher employer enforcement

By: BRIAN BILBRAY - Commentary
North County Times
January 7, 2007

The United States is the most open nation in the world. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that every year, more than 328 million visitors come to the United States via our land borders. These borders serve as the gateway for trade, commerce, tourists and cultural exchanges. They are also points of entry for more than 12 million illegal immigrants who have crossed our borders and stayed in our country. If Congress, led by the new Democratic majority, grants amnesty to illegal immigrants, the repercussions will be significant and long-lasting.

As Congress prepares to re-examine the illegal immigration issue, it is imperative that we avoid re-enacting the failed policies of the past. The facts speak for themselves. The driving force behind illegal immigration is the promise of employment. Employers who hire illegal immigrants knowingly are undermining the entire immigration process. This is why so many illegal immigrants are drawn to America: They want jobs and jobs are being made available to them.

The strong incentive created by employment opportunities is forcing us to change the standards employers are using to hire workers. If we create a tamper-proof Social Security card that every new worker would need to gain employment, employers would have the tools they need to distinguish who is here legally or illegally. Once this system is put into place, it will be much easier to hold employers accountable for hiring illegal immigrants.

There couldn't be a better time to implement employer enforcement measures than with the commencing of a new Congress. That is why I have partnered with Congressman David Dreier, R-San Dimas, to introduce legislation that would put into place a tamper-proof Social Security card that every new worker would need to gain employment. Unfortunately, there is another effort under way to adopt a "comprehensive" bill similar to the amnesty legislation passed by the Senate last year. There is no wall big enough to keep out the flood of illegal immigrants we can expect if we put the 12 million who are currently here on a path to citizenship.

There is no single solution that will make illegal immigration disappear overnight, but we do know from past experience what solutions won't work. This growing problem demands a new approach. The residents of Mexico and Central and South America are looking to the United States to see how we handle illegal immigration. If Congress passes an amnesty bill, thousands of illegal immigrants will flood our borders in pursuit of jobs. We must have the will to enforce our existing laws, create a tamper-proof Social Security card and punish employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Escondido, represents the 50th

Congressional District of California.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01 ... 1_6_07.txt

No amnesty; tougher employer enforcement

By: BRIAN BILBRAY - Commentary


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