RSSIllegal Immigration – Has It Gone Too Far?
Imagine a company caught in a vice, on one side is the federal government telling them they face severe fines if they have illegal aliens at their plant. On the other side are union organizers that are motivating the workers to have walkouts if immigration status for employees continues to be checked. That is the pickle the Smithfield Packing Company of Tar Heel, North Carolina is facing.
The company is doing a review of their employees making sure that the social security numbers they were given match up with the records from the Social Security administration. If they do not, the employees have the right to explain why they do not. Simple enough.
Well, not really. Smithfield Packing Company is facing walkouts by its mainly Hispanic workforce because they think this is unfair. So a company that decides to follow the law is being accused by their workforce of being unfair. Don’t you get the feeling that the immigration debate has been turned upside down? I do.
Several weeks ago Smithfield Packing, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods Inc., sent hundreds of workers “no-match letters,” notifying them that the name and Social Security number they had given the company did not match records of the Social Security Administration. In recent days, the company began firing those who were unable to explain the discrepancies.
Eduardo Pena, an organizer for the union, said some of the letters had gone to employees who had valid Social Security numbers, and several workers said yesterday that they would not return to work until Smithfield pledged not to fire any more immigrants over the issue.
But the government has threatened to fine companies that knowingly continue to employ illegal immigrants, and Mr. Pittman said: “If Smithfield were to do what the union is calling for, we would be breaking federal law by knowingly employing undocumented workers. The union should stop trying to pressure Smithfield to break the law.” via the New York Times.
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31 Responses to “Illegal Immigration – Has It Gone Too Far?”
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Good post. There should be some kind of repercussion for the union attempting to coerce a company or individual to break the law.
Amazing the numbers of Mexican Workers. I have nothing against the naturalized citizens of Mexican or Latin descent having jobs, however I must agree the Green card thing is out of control. Something about the Mexican flag unfurled on US soil in that manner is just wrong.
OK…now how many of you white folks down there want a job at that plant?
What is wrong with having a Green card,it is really pink,today?What is wrong with having a work permit?What is the big deal about the race of the many workers at the plants?It seems that no one wants higher prices,but some complain about the illegals.I think the Donkey party will act strongly to curb this problem.Kissa
I agree with Joe…green cards, pink cards, it doesn’t matter. These are the workers who are the working poor.
Large corporations are making record profits. The middle class is disappearing, being replaced with the working poor. I hope the Donkey party does take care of corporations who make their record profits by employing illegals OR Green Card workers.
Donkey Party…Bring back the middle class. Get rid of the feudal system that employs minimum wage workers to keep the members of royalty flying from city castle to county castle to Caribbean castle (in their royal corporate jets).
Send illegals back where they belong. Build the wall to keep them there. Pay American workers a decent wage to work in Smithfield Packing. I’m willing compromise. I’ll pay higher prices IF corporations will give back their record profits!
Corporate greed is GREAT, isn’t it?
Kate,great post.I agree .The green card is pink today.They change colors to confuse terriots for an hour.we need change inn how we do things.Joe
Kate
I think this is something that conservatives and moderate democrats can get behind. Immigration is where the Republicans failed the past few years and now we will be looking at a crisis as the immigrants start to flex their muscles.
Tom
the dems, see illegal aliens as future voters 4 them. they will get amnesty,and ill country will continue to go to hell
The workers will not get paid honest, only CEO’s and Top Level Management will reap all rewards.
PS I still don’t like the flag being there even if it the worse job in the world.
These kids with the Mexican Flags are not Americans.
They are Mexican living in America.
Send them all back.
They have Treason, not Citizenship in their hearts.
I don’t hate illegal aliens. I simply think that they are causing hugh financial burdens that legal Americans are having to pay for. I believe that we are in for a serious reality check if we think any legislation is going to drive these people out of this country. They are feeling empowered and aren’t going anywhere without a fight. This is going to get ugly long before it gets better. The time to “gather” them up and send them away has passed. Too many Americans are now depending on these lower class workers. It’s greed that we are fighting. The illegals are just in the line of fire.
My father used to be in the pig slaughter and meat packing buisiness.
Its really not bad work if you can get it. His hiring practices were all legit I think.
There are two sides to this. The Union made operating expense he** at one of my fathers plants and put that plant down. That was around 1981 or 82. His non union plants had more loyal and more productive workers and had a longer plant operating run.
A crosstown packing plant in Minneapolis, (different family owned) survived for years often bussing illegals in from Texas and providing apartments to illegals. They went out of business last year for different reasons than that.
“give us your tired, your hungry, your downtrodden” so we can change our mind and send them back.
Who do we think we are? We have “In God We Trust” on our currency and we treat others as if we were the superior.
If your family was hungry, what would you do?
Ray
Just because we haven’t enforced laws regarding legal vs. illegal citizenry, does that mean that we should continue to allow every “tired, hungry, and downtrodden” man, woman, or child, to stake out a claim to FREE medical insurance, FREE food, FREE housing, and FREE schooling? Plus, for those willing to make chump change…jobs that pay so little that they still qualify for all of the above entitlements?
We’re not changing our minds and sending them back, we’re just going to tell them that they have NO RIGHT to be here in the first place…because they are not legal. And now, they have to go home.
Every other country in the world strictly adheres to immigration policies. Why can’t the US? Because we have two parties in Congress who can’t put their political egos aside and make decisions that are healthy for the country.
But, the time has come to do the right thing for the citizens (legal ones) of the United States. Let’s start with English being the only language taught in elementary schools.
Ray,
We have a longstanding policy on letting in immigrants that we have used effectively. There are people all over the world who are following the immigration proceedures.
But to break the laws of the United States as the first thing you do, and we are a nation of laws, and then expect all of the fruits of legal citizenship is outlandish.
All I am asking is that we behave logically and respect the law. Not that much if you ask me.
Tom
I agree with Ray. How many of us are descended from immigrants from other countries? All of us except Native Americans. Seems pretty hypocritical for us to deny other people the right to seek a better life like our own ancestors did.
I work in Phoenix at a small Landscape Company. We don’t knowingly hire illegal immigrants. All of our workers provide us with legal documents. But many of our workers have family members who are here illegally.
It really irks me when I hear people complain that companies paying immigrants minimum wage. Most of those who complain are the same ones in Washington who can’t get their act together to increase the minimum wage to a decent level. I am thankful that Arizona voters did approve a bill earlier this month to increase our minimum wage, though I think it is still too low.
Our landscapers start at $9-12 per hour DOE and with a valid drivers license, they can start at $10-14 per hour DOE. That’s not bad in this area and it’s well above minimum wage. And let’s face it, this isn’t rocket science here. These guys are mowing, blowing, and trimming. I have white clerical employees, single moms, in those same pay ranges and they have to have computer and software skills. I don’t hear anyone complaining that clerical employees (mostly women) are not paid enough.
More experienced landscapers can move up to supervisory positions. Those who are skilled in repairing irrigation or lighting systems, can make $16-20 per hour. I am an office manager/bookkeeper with 35 years of experience and I’m not anywhere near $20 per hour.
Yes, all of our crews are Hispanic. That isn’t because we don’t want whites, we are more than willing to hire any qualified applicant, regardless of race. But we seldom have any white’s apply and the one or two we have employed, quit within a few months.
Many of our workers send most of their paychecks back to their families in Mexico. They just want to support their families like everyone else. I feel we need to help those who are already here be able to stay and work legally.
There are an estimated 12 million illegals in this country. many of whom are working, going to school, etc. There are those on welfare collecting food stamps, etc. and that upsets alot of people. But it’s really a complicated issue.
This is also 12 million consumers we are talking about. Many work, go to school, raise children who go to college and are contributing members of society. It would devastate many industries to send them back now and send prices for some goods and services soaring. And bear in mind, these workers have social security taxes withheld from their checks even though they can never collect benefits. So they are helping to support our failing social security system.
I am not opposed to tighening up the border, and by all means, please do background checks on those coming into this country and those already here and send those who break our laws back. But, our government has not enforced our own laws regarding illegal immigration. Our borders have been wide open and we are doing nothing to help create jobs for them in their country.
Perhaps we could make the following offer to those illegal immigrants in this country now: Join the Army, Navy, Marines or Airforce and serve wherever we need you. You would get a paycheck like every other soldier. After your tour of duty, you have earned the right to become a citizen, since you are willing to fight for this country. This would provide a way to become a citizen and boost our troop levels, which we really need.
It doesn’t matter who it is or why they come here, they must enter LEGALLY and OBEY OUR LAWS. It took eight years to get citizenship for my husband. We had two children before it became final.
Others can play by the rules or be deported just as we did. Many people in this country do not have access to all the free services such as medical care that illegal aliens can claim.
Yes, some industries need cheap labor but that is still no excuse for illegal entry. It is the same as stealing, taking something that does not belong to you.
if they ain’t american residents and citizens get the f*** out of the country.
white landscapers dont apply for jobs because they dont speak spanish.if a american citizen crosses the mexican border illegally, and was caught he would be in jail.
I see it this way, if you knowingly hire illegals you should be punished by the terms of the law.
Also, the illegal aliens are doing identity theft, when you steal someones ss# that in itself is a punishable crime.
Get to work and get it done.
the illegals are mad because they think we should allow them to stay here illegally and populate more illegals. just ike rabbits ! these same illegals want access to our social security benefits without being citizens. KICK THEM ALL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY. they drive without insurance and we have to pay for their accidents. they destroy rental properties and are generally allowed to run around at will without paying their dues. if we took over mexico and ran them all over here, then they would want to come back to mexico. and last but not least, THEY CAN ALL SPEAK ENGLISH BUT THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS.
Dave for the past 35 years, all of the presidents (republican and democrat) and the congresses have been looking the other way when it came to illegals…..now the problem is so large it has to be dealt with. Even the citizens who are working thru the proper channels are PO’d because of the illegals, and you know what,,,,I say it like it is, you are illegal if you are in the USA without a work permit or visa. I have stopped doing business with a lot of companies that hire illegals.
But read this is you wanna get pissed
http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/001610.html
As of this past summer I have a bashed in side on my PU truck from an illegal allien, no insurance, no real drivers license, and false SS ID. So maybe my opinion is a tad influenced. But I want them all out of here. There is no shortage of humanity here. Let everyone stay closer to home and munch some birth control.
In our area of Texas I never noticed a problem with Mexicans. Now there is. Too many have come here illegally, then have the gall to make demands of their rights. Well just go back home, we need no extra tax on our system by thieves who see what we have and invade us to get it. Two stories right close by in this very area, are of big fat non workable gals extra weighted at the belly planned a trip accross our border to dump their poor choices onto our citizenship rolls, right in a near the border, easy access hospital. Who can turn them away…a stray wiener dog you can, but not these.
It is sad indeed that more Mexican true Americans do not come out against this outrage. Sad too that one neighbor does not chastize more often the other greedy new age slave owner for providing work for these criminals.
I had to get me a new barber, find a new place to buy lumber, let go of my weekly trip to WallMart, get going with a smaller pharmacy, and my withdrawal from my neighbor to my south has been costly to him. Because if the service person speeks in broken or near no English I do not go back; if the store repeats each PA announcement also in Spanish I will not shop there; if my neighbor uses wetbacks for cheap slave labor to put up his own lazy butts fencing and do his cleaning, he goes life alone. The divission and anger over this invassion strenthens in my area, it will where you are soon. Oh, and the little Spanish I have learned to speek living in this area all my life…I need it no more, and will not speek it.
WHOA… Deja Vu…I feel like I just got trapped in a time warp and went back 45 years… some of you guys are saying the same things that were said about Blacks….Do you hate them too? Sure sounds like the same old bigotry and hatred to me…
It is really unfortunate that 9/11 gave us the perfect opportunity to to secure and really tighten our borders. Alas and alack, that did not occur.
Not only are there more illegals than ever, we have no idea how many terrorists crossed that inviting river. Why? That’s basically the only question I have on this issue.
With a protected and secure border we could have accomplished a dual purpose and minimized the influx of the illegals as well as keeping an eye out for terrorists.
Make no mistake about it, this was a bipartisan effort to keep these borders as wide open as ever. Fence? What fence are you dreaming about? Oh, that fence. Yeah, right.
We do not need a fence. We need manpower deployed for this effort and yes, that will work.
#26: are you here illegally ? sounds like de ja vu to me. all the illegals want something for nothing .
Thought you guys might find this interesting.
By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Published April 5, 2005
STOCKTON, California — Illegal aliens contribute $7 billion a year to U.S. Social Security coffers, and, given their immigrations status, are unlikely to ever collect benefits.
With debates in Congress over immigration and Social Security, the cross between the two issues has taken an interesting turn. There are an estimated 7 million illegal immigrants in the United States and they pay some $7 billion a year into the Social Security system, The New York Times reported.
The newspaper said the Social Security Administration, beginning in the 1980s, noticed a large number of W-2 reports with incorrect or faked Social Security numbers. Over the 1990s some $189 billion worth of wages were records by the SSA, the Times said.
The time frame coincides with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which set penalties for people who knowingly hire illegal aliens. A brisk business in fake identification and SSNs quickly grew, provided legal cover for the employers and, so far, a windfall for the SSA.
An SSA official told the Times the administration estimated 3/4 of illegal immigrants — estimated by the Census Bureau at 3.8 million households — pay payroll taxes. Those immigrants are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits.
Another interesting statistic, illegal immigrants send $16,000,000 per day back home to Mexico to their families.
I WILL NEVER CONSIDER ANY OF THESE PEOPLE TO BE AMERICAN, EVER.
THEIR BEHAVIOR, ATTITUDE, VALUES, AND CULTURE IS ANYTING BUT AMERICAN.
DAVEY CROCKET, SAM HOUSTON, JIM BOWIE, AND STEPHEN F. AUSTIN ALL AGREED!
OK lets face facts. This company knew they were hiring illegals from the start. Now, they make the pretense of trying to follow the law and were all supposed to feel sorry for them. Boo freakin’ Hoo!!!