Despite the fact that many Americans are strongly opposed to illegal immigration, there is the realization that life in America would not be the same without the jobs performed by the illegal immigrants. Some people have even suggested shuttling illegal immigrants daily into areas near the Mexican border in order for the immigrants to perform necessary tasks which otherwise would remain festering. Currently, Texan legislators are attempting to create a law which would punish people for hiring illegal immigrants to perform odd-jobs in their localities. Punishments include fining citizens $10,000 and jailing the illegal immigrant for up to two years. Although it is already a crime to hire illegal immigrants, employers of the illegal immigrants rarely get prosecuted because one has to do so “knowingly.” An exception to this law is applied to homeowners and “average” citizens, as opposed to companies who are disallowed from using illegal labor in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage in business. It is also interesting to note that if such a law were to be placed in effect then literally more than 30% to 40% of the Texan population would be up for prosecution, not to mention that their economy would be severely impacted. The belief that Americans will face wage decreases due to an influx of illegal immigrants still persists, but the American thirst for labor has not yet been quenched, and when that occurs then new issues will arise.
Two Things
1 hour ago
7 comments:
I can't believe what the world has turned into! I don't understand why there has to be so much prejudice in this world. We've already experienced prejudice in prior years and all throughout history, but still people treat others so badly, especially if they come from other countries, and they are nothing like the citizens of this country. I just think that laws, such as this one that they are trying to pass in Texas, and the one that they've passed in Arizona are so unfair! And I hate how they categorized immigrants as illegal. No one is illegal, simply undocumented. I honestly hope that this law doesn't pass because it would just show how prejudice this country really is.
I don't think this law should be passed because honestly undocumented immigrants help the economy too. They usually perform the jobs that many Americans are unwilling to do and many of them actually do pay taxes even though they don't receive benefits and don't have social security.
I'm a little bit surprised by the harsher punishment, seeing that jailing illegal immigrants would only eat up state funds. I suppose the $10,100 is where the money maker is. And isn't Texas technically still keeping them in the state then? I would think that deportation is the usual punishment for immigrants.
This law will not solve any problems any time soon. In Obama's State of the Union Address, he did bring up the issue of immigrants, but only the educated ones. He didn't say a single word about how to deal with uneducated illegal immigrants who come here for hard labor. Obama mentioned keeping educated immigrants in America in order to give them opportunities (and benefit America at the same time), but there is a whole population of another type of immigrants (much bigger proportion than educated ones) that he failed to address.
i don't understand how politicians want to drive out immigrants (let alone jail them, that takes big $$$), when they seem necessary, especially in our agricultural state of CA. they perform jobs that most people would never want, all to support a family. and while i know that their lack of legal residence causes some awkward problems, you can't help but to feel for the plight of the immigrant worker.
I personally do not agree with this law, for it not only will put thousands of people out of jobs but also what Tim said is that it would hurt the economy of Texas and probably more states. I know that immigration is a serious issue that must be addressed but I do not think that this is the way to go at it. I guess that this is being used as a scare tactic from preventing immigrants to want to come to America, but I just can't see this amounting to anything besides hurting an economy and putting people out of jobs that no citizen would want.
I don't know why people are trying to get rid of the illegal immigrants. They are people trying to make a better life for themselves by doing jobs that no one else wants to do and are being paid so little for them. Isn't this suppose to be a country full of opportunity, where one who works hard will become succesful? I guess not. I don't think this law will pass, but if it ever did I think there would be a lot of protest. Yeah, the otherside will argue that they don't want illegal immigrations due to overpopulization. But I still believe that we should give these people a chance to prosper and work hard so they can support their families.
I definitely agree with all the comments that have been posted. The governement would be wasting a lot of money driving out and jailing these immigrants. And now they are trying to fine people who hire undocumented immigrants. Most Americans have to much pride to do some of the jobs that these so called illegal immigrants do for example house cleaning and gardening. Not to be racist but how many people of white skin have you seen cleaning peoples houses...not that many because American think they are better than that. It's a shame.
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