http://www.idahostatesman.com/politics/ ... 29426.html

Craig pushes immigration reform
Senator predicts millions will lose jobs after Social Security crackdown.


Pressure to pass immigration reform will intensify as millions of undocumented workers lose jobs as a result of a crackdown by the Social Security Administration, Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, said Thursday.
"What will happen over the course of the next two months is several million workers will be laid off or fired and there is no one to take their place," Craig told the Boise Rotary Club.

Craig said the Bush Administration is sending "hundreds of thousands" of letters to employers about bogus Social Security numbers. "Sorry, that name and that number don't match, or we don't have that number, or that number belongs to somebody who's already on Social Security — that's a mismatch," Craig said.

"Then you must do one of two things. You've either got to check the background of your employee, or you've got to fire them and get them off your payroll. And if you don't do that, then you're liable for the following fines starting at about 30-plus-thousands of dollars. That's the law. It's being enforced, and it should be enforced."

Craig said he's already had word from an ally in his fight for a guest worker program, a California agricultural company that laid off about 200 of its 500 employees as a result of "mismatch" letters.

Consumers will feel the impact of the unprecedented enforcement action. Craig said $3.5 billion worth of crops rotted for lack of workers last year. He predicted that figure will double because many crops are "highly dependent on the hands of working people."

Craig's AgJobs bill would allow 1.5 million guest farmworkers to obtain "blue cards" over five years. They would be eligible for "green cards" — permanent worker status — within three to five years, after paying a $500 fine and showing they are current on taxes. AgJobs is part of an immigration package stalled largely because of opposition to legalizing undocumented workers.

But if immigration laws aren't reformed, Craig said, the economy will not grow at the 3.5 percent rate he said is necessary to support Social Security benefits earned by baby boomers.

"If the borders are shut and we become a closed society, then the most we can grow is about 1.2 percent a year," Craig said. "Control it, legalize it, manage it, but recognize that if we want to continue to grow and that our grandchildren would wish to achieve the American Dream as we have, then growth is essential."

Send Sen. Craig's an E-Mail
http://craig.senate.gov/webform.cfm

Washington, DC
US Senator Larry Craig
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-1203

tel: 202-224-2752 fax: 202-228-1067

Scheduling requests only may be faxed to 202/228-4509.
My office is located in room 520 of the Hart Senate Office Building.

DC Visitor Resources Page

Boise
US Senator Larry Craig
225 North 9th Street, Suite 530
Boise, Idaho 83702

tel: 208-342-7985 fax: 208-343-2458

City of Boise Homepage
Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau

Coeur d'Alene
US Senator Larry Craig
Harbor Plaza
610 Hubbard, Suite 121
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814

tel: 208-667-6130 fax: 208-765-1743

Coeur d'Alene Visitors Bureau

Idaho Falls
US Senator Larry Craig
490 Memorial Drive, Suite 101
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402

tel: 208-523-5541 fax: 208-522-0135

City of Idaho Falls Homepage

Lewiston
US Senator Larry Craig
313 D Street, Suite 106
Lewiston, Idaho 83501

tel: 208-743-0792 fax: 208-746-7275

City of Lewiston Homepage

Pocatello
US Senator Larry Craig
275 South 5th Avenue, Suite 290
Pocatello, Idaho 83201

tel: 208-236-6817 fax: 208-236-6820

City of Pocatello Homepage

Twin Falls
US Senator Larry Craig
560 Filer Avenue, Suite A
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301

tel: 208-734-6780 fax: 208-734-3905

Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce Homepage