Opinion Talk

By rhonda

March 15, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

I not only believe they should be punished but i also believe they should pay higher taxes instead of getting tax breaks so they can help pay for all the medical expenses of the illegals that they don’t furnish health care for.I went to the hospital where I work with chest pain. I have insurance and the collections dept sent a girl so my room wanting to know how I was going to pay my co-pay but they don’t ask the mexicans who use the e.r as a free walk in clinic how they plan on paying their bills. The illegals tell employers they don’t need insurance because they don’t have to pay to see a doctor they go to the e.r I hope all the polititions up for re-election in the state of georgia start realizing we as their employers the voters of georgia are tired of the illegals and all the hand-outs the state provides them at our taxpayers expense

By Ga Liberal

March 15, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

No. These human beings (lets not forget that) are here because they want to work and make a better life for themselves. Contrary to all the bigoted xenophobic Republican talk, they do pay taxes and they do contribute to society. They are entitled to the same public services as everyone else.

It’s the employers that are responsible for people using he ER because they don’t offer health insurance to cut costs. Take Wal-Mart for example. Employers should be required to provide health insurance to prevent this abuse of public health services. Until employers put people before profits, ALL taxpayers will pay.

By bubba99

March 15, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

To Ga Liberal, that’s why you are a Liberal. Get this, they are Illegal, now say this, Illegal, they are breaking the LAW!!! I worked with several, and lived in a apartment complex with them and in general have no issues with them except….They are Illegal, they do a disgrace to the legal immigrants, Legal immigrants. One immigrant from Vietnam explained to me what he had to do to become a citizen and the years it took him, and he hates these people because they are bucking the system. Mexicans are no different than any other citizens from another country that wants to immigrate here except they thing they have some special privilage, and they don’t

By regularjoe

March 15, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

Yes, they should be punished more severly. The main reason illegal immigrants are here is because someone is giving them work and making a lot of money illegally. Making a lot of money because they pay these people under the table cash.

This could be rich Uncle Bubba with the contractors. Mr. Patels’ hotel employees or Ms. Wong’s Chinese restaurant workers. Do you people really care?

By Michael H. Smith

March 16, 2006 02:58 AM | Link to this

Yes employers should be punished very harshly for hiring illegal aliens. This is becoming more absurd every day AJC. We are a nation of laws and these laws should not be changed to serve the interest of commerce seeking an ever cheaper labor force through the wrongful and unconstitutional use of immigration for the purpose of controlling the supply side of the labor market to eliminate shortages that can produce higher wages by a labor demand. In the equal time quest OP ED provoking inflammatory rhetoric has once again been well served. These businesses that demand this ever cheaper labor market – even by illegal means – should move their hamburger flipping, grass-cutting, house building, and bean picking jobs to Mexico. Where there, the corruption assures the poverty pump will never cease to flood the labor market with warm bodies to abuse continually, exceeding any possible demands which might produce a labor shortage. Perhaps then the mercantilists of monopolies once cut-off from this now well over 11 trillion dollar U.S. economy, having to depend upon their cheap impoverished workers will figure it out. The people who build your houses, pick your beans and chop your cotton must be able to buy the products and services they produce, otherwise businesses will eventually fail. Henry Ford understood this, unfortunately far too many in this country – from the White House to the Outhouse, including the chairman of the National Restaurant Association – don’t.

By Glenn Hodges

March 16, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this

An employer that hires an illegal immigrant is performing a criminal act, and a harsh penality will stop many from hiring the illegals. A hospital that takes my tax money and uses it to perform health care services on an illegal immigrant is wrong. If the hospital wants to do it from their profits they are welcome, but do not use my money or do not raise my rates at the hospital to cover the cost of health care for illegals. It is wrong for me to be taxed to pay for the education and school meals of the children of illegal immigrants. If some people in the US want to pay for these benefits let them, but I have been disabled for 8 years, and could not get one dime help from my country so why should I support help going to somone entering this country illegaly and thus committing a criminal act? Instead of getting help I have been made to pay for the illegal support of these people.

By NotMyProblem

March 16, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

Sounds like GA Liberal needs to move to a socialist society like France or Canada. Do you really hate America and our Constitution so much that you’re willing to completely erase the foundation on which this country was built? Do you not believe in personal responsibility at all? I guess not since you think companies should be forced to provide healthcare. Well you and all the illegal aliens who are draining our system can tell your story walking. You are a perfect example of the people who are destroying America and the values we stand for.

Yes, employers should be penalized harshly, and if caught a second time, they should endure jail time or lose their business license completely. If we eliminate the jobs and the temptation for all these people to come here illegally, the flood of illegals will slow down.

By Van

March 16, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this

When ICE raids a work site, the site manager should also be jailed.

When a cleaning company gets raided, the manager goes to jail.

When a guy hires two illegals at the Quicky-Mart, he should go to jail also.

It is just that simple. Why do politicians try to make it difficult. Why does the AJC bend over backwards for the illegal.

Some things just don’t make sense. Don’t let an ally manage some ports facilities, but let Red China manage some. Beef up security at the airports, but leave the borders open.

By Van

March 16, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

Ga Liberal,

If companies put people before profits, they would be out of business.

Profits allow a company to grow and create more jobs.

When you graduate from high school and get a real job, not a name tag job, then you will understand.

By Syed

March 16, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

GA Liberal I agree with you 100 %, What I don’t undertsand is, out of all the problems we have why AJC, Lawmakers go after the illegals. Anytime there is a topic on illegals, and these are frequent in AJC, you will some known Bigots who would like to impose Capital punishment on the employers for hiring illegals. I know they are illegals, broke the law. Guess what we all broke the law before, I drove over the speed limit this morning, so I broke the LAW, now hang me

By PoliticalMan

March 16, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this

Those who have built their businesses on illegal labor have created houses of sand. They knew the rules. Picking and choosing laws to honor is contrary to our fundamental beliefs and rights. Of course, illegal aliens should not be hired and those who do so should pay the price.

There are plenty of legal residents to operate our businesses.

By Thomas

March 16, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

I personally believe our economy benefits from an amount of undocumented workers.

That being said, from a purely strategical stand point, if you want to stop illegal aliens from entering this country, make intentionally hiring one a felony – punishable by a $100,000 fine and 5 years in prison, for the first offense. Go to these greedy business owners homes, call the media, knock on their door and arrest them in front of their family and cameras. Send them a maximum security prison and put them in general population.

The illegal immigration problem would end faster than you could snap your fingers.

By E. Lewis

March 16, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

Unless the employers of illegals are punished to the point it actually hurts, nothing will change.

Wal-Mart gets fined $11 million. “This is an equivalent financial hit to an average person making $50,000 per year being hit with a $1.90 fine.”

As long as the benefits far out weigh the risks and as the laws stand right now, they do, low wage workers will continue to come across the border and employers will continue to hire them.

By Brian Curtis

March 16, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

You know, the corporations that are hiring illegals are doing just what the business-driven neocons suggest: putting profits first.

That’s why the only way to control their behavior is with government action: in this case, stiff fines, prison sentences, or even revoking the corporate charter entirely. It’s a good idea to occasionally remind corporations just who’s in charge.

By Nel

March 16, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

It will be very intresting to hear all those here who feel that these people are taking the well paid jobs away when those affordable houses that now go for $200k begin to cost $400k because of hiring legal workers. Everyone is reaping the benefits of these people’s sweat so stop the hypocrisy. The government knows they are here and are only jumping up and down because it’s the topic du jour in an election cycle and their corporate stocks are making money as a result. Take the building industry for instance, when the contractor gets busted, they will of course blame the subcontractor who will say they got papers, which of course will prove to be fake but the govenment will still have collected Fed/State & SS taxes from these people with the fake papers, and they will deport them and keep the money they paid. Everyone will be happy…

By Lou

March 16, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

If we are using undocumented workers - who apparently work for less money than documented workers - in order to keep prices of goods and services down, then that is a shameful form of slavery. There is no justification for us to look the other way at the expense of these people. We can fool ourselves into thinking that these “hardworking people are taking jobs that no one else wants…” But, what we are doing is exploiting these people in order to maintain our lifestyle. If we need their strong backs to keep us going, then they deserve to be paid a living wage - a living wage by OUR standards - and, they need to feel welcome. Get a guest worker program started, punish the heck out of big and small companies that try to circumvent the law, and then get ready to pay dearly for the goods and services these immigrant workers produce. Corporations value bottom line results because that is what our society values. We have to show corporations - and mean it - that we value the condition of the worker EQUALLY as we value corporate earnings. Unless all of y’all are independently wealthy, or out of work - you’re employed by someone…who is watching the bottom line.

By D.A. King

March 16, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

As a human being who is expected to obey the law, I am curious why i am not entitled to move into a Buckhead mansion….after all, I am only looking for a better life.

Put the criminal employers…and the bankers in prison, deport 100 illegals a day after having secured the border and watch the rule of law reurn pronto.

Or am I being extreme?

By Lyrazel

March 17, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this

Well of course EMPLOYERS should be charged with violation of laws. But really, official enforcers would go after the little people with this, the lawn care folks, not the homebuilders nor the chicken processing plants because those industries are receiving subsidies from the government. Yet ask yourself how much government outsourcing is happening now that allows illegals on government jobs & crews? Ah ha! They would have to penalize most government contractors—and it isnt going to happen. When it comes time to build the wall I am sure it will be defined as a job Americans dont want and be built with illegal labor crews.

By Van

March 17, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this

Lyrazel, you would think the IRS would come after the businesses. If they have hired illegals, either the SSN is false, a violation, or it is stolen, a violation.

No matter how you cut it, the employer is guilty of tax fraud if they hire an illegal. If they pay them “under the table”, then the IRS should come down hard. Just ask anyone that has been audited - they have ways.

By Syed

March 17, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

It’s easy to say, sitting behind a desk of a white collar job. illegals are illegal, employer should be charged for that blah blah blah. Here are the facts. Yes, illegals are illegal, hiring them is illag too, but ask why do they hire them. Fact, all the employers are Americans, they don’t hire illegals to have fun with the others, they are forced to. Why ? First, for small business there are so many tax and permits involved, then comes health, 401K, paid vacations etc. Small business can’t afford those stuff, so the choice is either go out of business or hire some illagals and stay in buiness. If they stay in business, at least some americans are employed there, like the managerial positions. Also, different needs of business- example, gas station, it’s easy to find and employee to work from 7-3 and 3-11. But, it’s very very hard to find one for the night shift, for 8-9 dollars an hr. I am sure none of you bloggers won’t work 6-7 nights, 11-7 . Here is a tip, if you work 6 nights and gete a night off, you won’t be able to sleep on that night. Besides, if a business makes money out of illegals, yes, the owner get rich, but that also expands the business which ultimately employs more americans. Also, due to hurricanes in south florida and ice/snow in north, lot of business moving their offices to Atlanta, one big reason is cheap real estates, thanks to the cheap labors of illegals. So, before we penalize the employers, we should change the laws and rules to take care of the businesses. If laws and rules don’t help/fit people’s need, they will keep bending/twisting the law. eaxmple, arresting the drug dealers is a part of the drug solution, we must also focus on the kids why and how they get hooked into drugs.In fact, if we can manage our kids to say no to drugs, we wouldn’t even have drug dealers. I hope it was a good analogy.

By PinestrawGuy

March 19, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

Syed,

Once again you state an opinion that leaves out pertinent facts.

Fact, all the employers are Americans, they don’t hire illegals to have fun with the others, they are forced to. Why ? First, for small business there are so many tax and permits involved, then comes health, 401K, paid vacations etc. Small business can’t afford those stuff, so the choice is either go out of business or hire some illagals and stay in buiness.

If they can’t afford to pay a livable wage to their employees, they DESERVE to go out of business. Just because it’s economically expedient does not mean it is LEGAL. The laws that are on the books today were put there to protect American workers from the very problems we are experiencing today.

Besides, if a business makes money out of illegals, yes, the owner get rich, but that also expands the business which ultimately employs more americans.

That is a patently false statement, Syed. Let’s use a little elementary logic, shall we? If a business owner makes money out of illegals to get ‘rich’, what possible incentive would that business owner have to hire an American? None! He would simply hire more illegals, thereby increasing his profits to the detriment of the native, legal workforce.

American citizens need to wake up to the fact that all these ‘jobs Americans won’t do’ have historically been done by Americans, and would continue to be done by Americans, if employers were forced to HIRE Americans. The tsunami of ILLEGAL immigration is flooding our nation, and drowning our poor and working classes in a sea of lost opportunity and corporate greed. America needs to protect Americans FIRST, after all, it IS OUR COUNTRY!

By Syed

March 20, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

PinestrawGuy

let’s consider a Hypothtical small Business, ABC Lawn Care. the owner Jane Doe employs 10 illegal worker and makes a load of money. Now, remember, those 10 are working in the lawn. He has an office, an office secretary and may be person to recieve calls from the customer, now you have 2 amricans on those place. If he makes a load of money, he will either expand his business, say hire 10 more illegals to work on the lawns, but he will also have to hire 2/3 more americans for customer calls and so forth; he will open a new business. So, in a sense, those illegals just created 2/3 positions for the americans too. Now, say the business is huge, employs 100 illegals on your construction site. If it goes on, soon there will be a Taco Bell or McDonalds there, which will employ some more americans. you see the picture here I hope. Make no msitake, I am not saying border shouldn’t secured or emplyer should be encouraged. Border must be secured and employer should be taxed more for that, not froced to shut down their business. Also in the issue of Legality, I think it’s pure difference of our views. I wouldn’t go after 10 illegals if I see it will hurt 2 of my own.Remember, those 2/3 didn’t hire the illegasl, nor do they own the business and those 2/3 will have kids.

By RWH

March 20, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

I come to know a country called America! We are strong in bond and weak in unity. We do more for others than we do for our very own. It appear that we hate eachother because we are taking from each other. None of that make any sense! We can’t even begun to give America-own Labor force a decent wage for building our own homes; yet, we employ others who have no legal rights to build, work and enter America illegal and quickly move to pay lower wages; under the table payments for this or that. We do not owe illegals anything; what we can do is get back being America for those we love and for t hose who have rights to work for that decent wage. We have system to do things right and better; not to just do them for the sake of doing it cheaper and less safer. 500K to 1 million dollar homes look good from the exterior, yet, in months and years…owners find that they get what they pay for; a house less a home; and it was built by those for working for cheaper wages and the builder fatten his pocket and bank accounts off of that cheap wages; thus leaving the homeowners in the dirt paying for something that they paid for in the beginning yet, the quality was not delivered as promise. Its to late because it is the little things that no body tell you about. That’s why employer hire illegals to do what other America professional labor force will not do. Punishment won’t solve anything; like animals; if they can’t make a living in one place, they move on where they begun the process all over again. To many in numbers…that’s why its hard to track illegals labor workers. What consumer can do; stop buying homes built by illegal labor workers…in the end, your dollar will get what you pay for! Something that can be solved by all America who are tired of illigals coming in and taking their jobs. America can stand up; be counted, you want America Construction Labor Force; your voice and your dollars counts.

By Syed

March 20, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

Here is a blog that RWH wrote on natural Gas issue.

” No! Companies that do business for america needs to stop sticking their cost on consumers bills. We are already paying to much for Natural Gas, Automobile gas, electic, etc. “

By Robert Gama

March 21, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

It’s very easy to forget the history of this country and the policies it has advocated that have caused this so called “tsunami of illegal immigration”. In our own hemisphere, we have supported despotic regimes when it suited our purposes (see Central America, e.g.), regardless of how many human rights’ abuses were being committed. This has, in turn, bred corruption, in which only a relatively few are able to stay above the poverty line in those countries. Why is it a surprise, then, that people that have no means for survival in their own countries, immigrate to the U.S., seeking a better life? This is a human rights’ issue, and until this government starts advocating sound policies that elevates human rights above corporate profit, illegal immigration will continue at unprecedented levels.

By Van

March 21, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

Robert Gama,

By its definition a “despotic regime”, implies a corrupt regime. I can not think of but one benvolent dictator, and that was Franco of Spain.

I can assume that you would open the borders to all that wanted to come here - right?

Back in the late part of the 19th century and first part of the last one, we did have a come one, come all attitude. We also have Ellis Island(My Grandmother came in through here) and Angel Island(West Coast) as immigration receiving points. Are you proposing the same thing? Detroit and Larado would make good cities for this.

When the immigrants came here there was no welfare system and they received no aid from the Feds. Are you proposing the same thing? What would we do with the newly arrived?

While your goals are noble, it would be a nightmare for the cities to absorb an even greater tsunami of people, if we were to swing open our borders.

By dario

March 25, 2006 02:02 AM | Link to this

what happening if the north were the south? i’m immigrant, I am learning english, have many knowledge, payment my taxes and I make everything to surpass itself, if I am going away you wrath to make my work of dishwasher? it does not say that I have legal services, because I do not have any. you are right this is your country and it is of laws,, but economy of the United States is of a thread also, we watch the following example, a Californian apple right now this mediating in $ 2,00 the pound, imagine that there are no agriculturists because they return to his country, you if you wish to work there you are going to want much but benefits and that they pay to him but, then each will up pound of apples but of their one hundred percent. it is putting an example, are many bad and good things I it, I am allows, but it tries to see it of my way, we needed its aid. if i back to my county, i will kill.

By Van

March 26, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this

dario, what would happen if I was migrating, without papers, from Panama to the US through Mexico.

How would the Mexican version of the Border Patrol or Military treat me. Would they release me? Would they jail me? Would they send me back? Would I disappear?