Thread: {Sob}ICE Raid Shows Government Indifference to Immigration L

ICE Raid Shows Government Indifference to Immigration Laws
June 30, 2008 06:25 PM EDT
© 2008 by Ann Weaver Hart
Average Rating: 9.4/10 (15 votes)
Tags: government spending, news, unofficial gatherholics, conservatives, attention gather, justice, social justice, society, politics, illegal immigration

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We can all sleep easier now that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) held a raid at Action Rags USA, a Houston rag-sorting facility on Wednesday of last week. The raid rounded up 160 highly dangerous female rag-sorters who were here illegally, causing the bankruptcy of Social Security, the collapse of American infrastructure, and taking 160 highly desirable rag-sorting jobs from eager, unemployed Americans. The crowning achievement of the raid was the headline in major newspapers.

Such raids serve little purpose except to fan public anger over illegal immigration and deflect criticism of enforcement agencies. The highly visible raids preserve the fiction that the government is "doing something about illegal immigrants." Since being in the United States without proper documentation is easy to prove, many illegal immigrants plead guilty and spend one to six months or so in jail for the offense, supported by taxpayers.

On the other hand, ICE must prove that employers knew that their workers were in the country illegally when they were hired. The investigations are lengthy and expensive, often consuming several years' work. It is not enough to prove that employers do not care whether their employees are in this country legally. Indifference to the law is not illegal, only intentional disobedience.

Imagine being able to defend against a speeding ticket by forcing the police to prove that you intended to break the speed limit. The difference in the enforcement of speeding and immigration laws is one of desire. At bottom, government is reluctant to prosecute employers for numerous reasons. Pro-business politicians know who foots the bill for their astronomically expensive campaigns and are careful not to bite the many hands that feed them.

Concerning the raid that involved some 200 enforcement agents, the Houston Chronicle reports that Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston), whose congressional district includes the rag-sorting plant said, "It sounded like maybe [ICE] had more assets than they really needed to go in and pick up those 160 people there. Most of those ladies who worked there, granted they were here illegally, but they weren't holding up liquor stores or hurting people. They just needed a way to support their families."

Historically, owners of businesses like Action Rags USA are unlikely to face prosecution. No one really wants to cut off the cheap labor, but public opinion has been whipped up against illegal immigrants by an administration that needs a diversion.

The simplest proof that the government has no intention of enforcing immigration laws is in the numbers. Conservative estimates put the number of illegal immigrants in the US at 10 million. Last year, ICE raids swept up 3750 of those 10 million in workplace raids, or less than 4/10 of 1 per cent. ICE is not doing a better job of rounding up illegal workers because it does not have a mandate to do so. It would be difficult to do a worse job. Nor is the problem a lack of staffing.

Companies depend on cheap labor to make money. From time immemorial, business owners have depended on poorly paid workers to produce wealth. During the middle ages, serfs produced wealth for the lord of the manor; in colonial America, slave labor made plantation owners rich. After the Civil War, sharecroppers took over where the slaves left off. Now, in the 21st Century, the illegal immigrant has taken the unenviable position of producing wealth for American employers for too little recompense.

Americans will not work for slave wages, but illegal immigrants will. Americans do not really want jobs sorting rags or picking lettuce. No doubt, there were another 160 workers ready to take the place of those swept up in the raid. Many of those are probably undocumented as well, but until there is no advantage for employers in hiring illegal immigrants, companies will continue to do it.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

28 comments:


Robin G., Jun 30, 2008

The big problem is in sending our industry over to China. If we didn't do that there would be plenty of jobs to share with immigrants.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Robin G., Jun 30, 2008

Now China is polluted, we have dangerous toys and our economy is in the crapper.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Peter Joseph Swanson, Jun 30, 2008

oh my

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Kathryn Esplin-Oleski, Jun 30, 2008

An excellent article pointing out all the flaws in the system. Your article is Featured in the Triple Name Club.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Andrea L., Jun 30, 2008

I am not going to rate your article. I don't agree with some of it. However, if we got rid of the people who were here illegally, then maybe Americans would be forced to take those jobs "that no one wants". Maybe the unemployment rate would not be so high. Did you ever think of that side? Yes, people want to come here for better opportunities. But if they keep on coming and coming then the better opportunities are not going to be here for the citizens of this country. Send the illegals home where they belong. The fact of the matter is that there are here illegally. You and I have to pay the piper when we get caught doing something illegal. Why shouldn't they?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Don H., Jun 30, 2008

You gotta start somewhere. Round up the baby makers and ship 'em out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Naomi G., Jun 30, 2008

As always your article is well written and thoughtful. Keep up the great work of trying to wake up America

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~., Jun 30, 2008

I agree with Andrea

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Don B., Jun 30, 2008

The problem is that over 10 million skilled jobs are also taken by illegal aliens since 1996 and more than 397 billion dollars of taxpayers money has gone to provide social services for these illegal aliens since 1996.
I have friends in the construction trades that tell me of crews of illegal aliens undercutting their prices and putting them out of business. These crews of illegal aliens don't have to pay SS, unemployment, medicare, state or federal tax. And please, don't try to run the "they pay taxes" on me. If they do they're using someone else's SS number. An illegal alien cannot get a SS number.

A study done on the hourly wages of illegal aliens says that after figuring in welfare, housing assisstance and other social services, these illegal aliens make between $30 -$40 dollars an hour. NOTHING they do is cheap.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


amy s., Jun 30, 2008

Sending you a point to let you know that you are special to me. Happy Fourth of July.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dorine Houston, Jun 30, 2008

ICE absolutely did the right thing. Female or male, rag-sorters or doctors, illegal is illegal, so they are by definition criminals. What part about breaking and entering do you not get? They need to be deported to some remore part of the Yucatan to make it all the harder for them to find their way back here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Donna S., Jun 30, 2008

woe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MJ W., Jun 30, 2008

Damn! I had better get my butt down to Texas before all the premier rag picking jobs are snatched up by illegals! I was wondering why I couldn't break into that industry.

Face it. US citizens are not going to some jobs because the wages are so low. I watch "Dirty Jobs" so I know there are a lot of jobs out there that Americans do that are disgusting, gross, and icky. But if they're paid well enough, they'll proudly clean up crap and reach into slime.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Doyle ( aka The MAN of the 6 Senses ) C., Jun 30, 2008

"...more than 397 billion dollars of taxpayers money has gone to provide social services for these illegal aliens since 1996. "
Love the lack of sources(shocker, eh?). How mauch do you figure they paidIN during that time?

"And please, don't try to run the "they pay taxes" on me. If they do they're using someone else's SS number. "
So they pay IN but do NOT collect? Got it!

"A study done on the hourly wages of illegal aliens says that after figuring in welfare, housing assisstance and other social services, these illegal aliens make between $30 -$40 dollars an hour. "
Do you have a source other than the Don B. pull it out of my backside study? Do share! :P

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


RJ H., Jun 30, 2008

Robin G, I love your China comments!


RJ )
http://www.HerbalSoapbyRJ.com
Supplies for the Soapmaker
http://www.RJsCloset.Etsy.com
Vintage Art Supplies & Oddities, Felted Wool & More!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Anko, Jun 30, 2008

I agree with your analysis that shows that that illegal immigrants are playing the role of the serfs and slaves in the current system. I disagree though that it's only their employers who benefit. We all benefit, and we all contribute to the system (as well as to the outsourcing to China) when we go to the store and look for that "bargain", as we've all been trained to do. If we as consumers want the cheapest stuff, those who produce it compete to make it as cheap as they can. Part of it is paying as little to the workers as possible.

I don't know what the solution is--I'm just sorry for the "illegals" caught up in the system. To my mind, they're the least guilty.

Punishing the employers may sound fair, and you're right about the reasons they're not really doing it. However, if they did, the consequences would be that people with a foreign, especially Hispanic name, appearance, accent, etc. would have difficulty getting a job, especially in the kinds of jobs most "affected", regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. An employer has no training as an immigration officer and can't determine the validity of all the different kinds of documents presented to him or her at the level of certainty and criminal responsibility. It would simply be safer for them to not hire anyone who appears to be "high risk". (But then such discrimination is against the law too, as the I-9 form clearly states right up top.)

This is why they're trying to introduce a centralized e-verification system. That would certainly protect the employers, but it would be less friendly to some employees--like all systems, it's bound to have a certain rate of error, and there will be American citizens told "sorry, there's something wrong..." And no employer will wait until the problem is cleared, I can assure you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Doyle ( aka The MAN of the 6 Senses ) C., Jun 30, 2008

"US citizens are not going to some jobs because the wages are so low."
If NOBODY does it . . . then they have to RAISE wages. Wheres the people screaming for supply and demand NOW?

"...so they are by definition criminals."
So are Jaywalkers.

LoL!

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Anko, Jun 30, 2008

Dorine, the number of illegal doctors is just staggering.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Mary Ann E., Jun 30, 2008

I have an article I am workin on that is on the opposite side. I have lived in the border area all of my life and there is a lot to say about what isn't int he news, there is a danger in having people come in illegally, and not going through medical and legal checks. WHile most come in willing to help and be productive, some are parasitical in nature and those are the ones that some folks chose to 'forget'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Doyle ( aka The MAN of the 6 Senses ) C., Jun 30, 2008

When did Aniko become Anko?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Joe T., Jun 30, 2008

If these companies did not hire them they would not be here. It is that simple. Enforcement of the laws that are already on the books is what is needed. It is highly exaggerated that illegal immigrants drain our social safety net. In many cases they do not and are quite self reliant. They try to stay under the radar so even the act of applying for benefits can be daunting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ron B., Jun 30, 2008

Good article Ann. Ford is going to close several truck plants in favor of producing smaller, more fuel efficient cars. Part of the plan includes building a new car factory in Mexico. The loss of those jobs hurts everyone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Angela B. (trying to find my happy place), Jun 30, 2008

Well said, Ann. Hubby works for a company that builds, installs, and maintains septic systems -- a dirty job, indeed. It's a family-owned company, and other than the members of the family that owns it, Hubby is the only Caucasian employee. I know that at least some of the Hispanic employees are legal immigrants, because they have to go back to Mexico for two months out of each year in order to continue to work there. Whether there are any illegals or not, I don't know. But I do think it's telling that there is only one white man working there. Doesn't seem like our local Americans are scratching and clawing at one another to get at these jobs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ann Weaver Hart , Jun 30, 2008

Mary Ann E., I'm wondering what "side" I was on. My thesis is that the law is not being enforced because the beneficiaries of illegal labor are business owners, and that raids like this one in Houston are for show.

Aniko, I agree with you that we all benefit from the slave labor economy as it exists.

Don B., I want one of those $30-$40/hr jobs! Which country do I have to bust into?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jim G., Jun 30, 2008

Ann: I'm probanly going against the grain here. People vote with their feet. The gov't of Mexico is corrupt. For the most part, these people are trying to make a living. When you're trying to survive, borders aren't important. Boy, I bet this pxxxxx some people off. Well, lol.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Debra B., Jun 30, 2008

The problem I have is footing the bill to provide medical and education benefits for them. I can't get financial assistance to return to school, but there are illiegals that do. I have to pay for my medical bills, some illegals do not. I cannot move to Mexico without meeting a long list of requirements. But Mexico expects the U.S. to allow thier illegals to move here, no questions asked. The list goes on.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sparky (The Anti-PC) L., Jun 30, 2008

The problem is that when those rag sorters have children here in the US, they cost the taxpayers a fortune in government subsidies. End the subsidies, and illegal immigration won't be a problem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jan S., Jun 30, 2008

I believe any legal immigrant should have the right to apply for a job, citizenship and the other privileges given to and earned by Americans. Our current economy cannot support freeloaders. We must each do our own share and give some to others, too.



http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?a ... 4977386302

Concerning the raid that involved some 200 enforcement agents, the Houston Chronicle reports that Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston), whose congressional district includes the rag-sorting plant said, "It sounded like maybe [ICE] had more assets than they really needed to go in and pick up those 160 people there. Most of those ladies who worked there, granted they were here illegally, but they weren't holding up liquor stores or hurting people. They just needed a way to support their families."

Nice try Greene,you sir, are a MORON, for they ARE robbing us. They are stealing from us to support their families. Their children are educated with OUR money, not theirs. They drive without auto insurance or licenses which raises OUR insurance. They overtax our emergency rooms because they do not have insurance, thereby OUR tax $$$ are used to pay for those visits. They have baby after baby with no thought to the cost (why should they? WE'RE stuck paying for them!), each anchor baby receives welfare, medicaid, WIC, housing vouchers, food stamps which WE pay for. THEY are not supporting their overbred families, WE ARE FORCED TO!

Well NO MAS buddy boy, increase the raids! ENFORCE THE DAMN LAWS!

miguelina well said, you should post it to the site see if they print it

http://grades.betterimmigration.com/tes ... &VIPID=808

Might be a good time to find a replacement for Rep. Green.

"It sounded like maybe [ICE] had more assets than they really needed to go in and pick up those 160 people there.

Spoken like a true liberal! The Democrats in Congress (most of them) are all in this together (attempting to stop enforcement). The proof is in the pudding. Combine Rep. Green's words with Rep. David Price's recent actions as chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and it all comes together.

Shiela Jackson Lee, ( Go figure) is going after ICE for raiding business in Houston. There was a story on her in the houston Chronicle today. This anti-American is totally Pro Illegal. Sadly her district is mainly black so she keeps getting re elected. ( And I am not racist, but the truth is the truth )

Concerning the raid that involved some 200 enforcement agents, the Houston Chronicle reports that Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston), whose congressional district includes the rag-sorting plant said, "It sounded like maybe [ICE] had more assets than they really needed to go in and pick up those 160 people there. Most of those ladies who worked there, granted they were here illegally, but they weren't holding up liquor stores or hurting people. They just needed a way to support their families."




Oh, they weren't hurting people? I suppose 160 people suffering the consequences of ID Fraud, committed by these IAs to get and keep those jobs, constitutes NOT hurting people?

maggieb wrote:

Shiela Jackson Lee, ( Go figure) is going after ICE for raiding business in Houston. There was a story on her in the houston Chronicle today. This anti-American is totally Pro Illegal. Sadly her district is mainly black so she keeps getting re elected. ( And I am not racist, but the truth is the truth )

In view of her position on illegal immigration, it amazes me that the voters in her district put up with her. It's a well known fact many of the jobs lost to illegals are jobs that were once held by many from the black community.

..and taking 160 highly desirable rag-sorting jobs from eager, unemployed Americans.

Calling these job and benefit stealing ilegal entrants Americans makes Ann Weaver Hart a TERRORIST