Our "Chicken" Immigration Policy

I know I took a shot at Mike Chertoff already today, but this is over a different issue.

As noted here, he politely chided Senate Repugs who derailed the immigration bill last week, saying that “it would be difficult for the government to crack down on illegal workers.”

This of course is all a gift to the Dems as I previously noted because the Repugs totally let their knuckle-dragging, hammerhead “base” all gather around their radios tuned to talk (hate) radio and their TV sets that have their channels locked forever to FOX so they could listen to their preferred demagogues vent about how horrible it would be to provide a path to citizenship for these people, even though the vast majority of this country supports such a path.

Well, if Chertoff were serious about punishing illegal immigrants, to say nothing of the employers who hire them, he could follow up on other companies besides IFCO Systems North American. As noted here, he could actually investigate mega beef and poultry producer Tyson Foods, for example (hence the post title).

I believe post author Jim Kouri makes a good point when he wonders why Chertoff and DHS aren’t “swarming all over” Tyson plants that the company closes because the suspected illegals are participating in protests, boycotts, and demonstrations (not contesting the right of the illegals to participate, but they should know the risks if they do).

Or does Chertoff keep away from Tyson because the company has been a big campaign donor to both Dubya and the Clintons (hey, they’re allowed to donate to whomever and do whatever is legally allowed, but if they’re harboring illegals, they and any other company that does so should be prosecuted).

I thought this excerpt spoke volumes…

As part of its mission to ensure national security, DHS is charged with enforcing the laws requiring employers to employ only individuals authorized to work in the United States. The Form I-9 requirement stems from Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act and implementing regulations, which require all U.S. employers (including agricultural associations or employers who recruit or refer persons for employment for a fee) to verify on the Form I-9 the identity and employment eligibility of all employees -- including U.S. citizens -- hired to work in the United States after November 6, 1986.

Completed Forms I-9 are not filed with the federal government. Instead, they must be retained by the employer in its own files and made available for inspection by DHS, the Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, or the Department of Labor for three years after the date of hire or one year after the date the employee's employment is terminated, whichever is later.

Recruiters or referrers for a fee are required to retain the Form I-9 records for three years after the date of the hire. Failure to properly complete and retain the Form I-9 subjects the employer to civil penalties ranging from $110 to $1,100. Hardly a penalty for companies making millions of dollars in profits due to low wages paid to illegal aliens.

So, Mr. Secretary, I would suggest you do some more work on the enforcement end of this equation before you decide to lecture Congress on its role in this boondoggle, because, even though you have a point, this mess was created by the poor-to-nonexistent adherence to existing law regarding the illegals. And now that they’re here and likely to stay for awhile, all you, your party’s politicians and your Repug constituents can do is scream at each other over it.