Re: Immigration enforcement...in Whitewater
This story irritates me for several reasons, and all those "free market" supporters should be sounding off for their own separate reasons.
There's more to the story.
First, the employer did what was required of him. Given the low level of English among many first- and second-generation immigrants, it's not reasonable for him to suspect them simply because they are brown and speak Spanish. Do not be tricked down this slippery slope.
Second, the investigating officer could easily have contacted INS and asked for the appropriate follow-up. We do have a department for this; if they aren't doing their job, that's another matter.
Third, why hit the small-fry in small towns? Because political fallout will be minimal. kneenor's point in the comments is dead-on about certain areas where this kind of investigation and follow-up should be happening but isn't.
Finally, it looks like rather than using the proper channels to uphold the law, Whitewater officials are using intimidation to force employers to do investigation that isn't required of them.
The laws should change to reflect the greater need of our state for background checks; hassling smaller businesses isn't the way to accomplish this, and frankly I'm peeved that tax dollars and police time is being wasted this way.
There's more to the story.
First, the employer did what was required of him. Given the low level of English among many first- and second-generation immigrants, it's not reasonable for him to suspect them simply because they are brown and speak Spanish. Do not be tricked down this slippery slope.
Second, the investigating officer could easily have contacted INS and asked for the appropriate follow-up. We do have a department for this; if they aren't doing their job, that's another matter.
Third, why hit the small-fry in small towns? Because political fallout will be minimal. kneenor's point in the comments is dead-on about certain areas where this kind of investigation and follow-up should be happening but isn't.
Finally, it looks like rather than using the proper channels to uphold the law, Whitewater officials are using intimidation to force employers to do investigation that isn't required of them.
The laws should change to reflect the greater need of our state for background checks; hassling smaller businesses isn't the way to accomplish this, and frankly I'm peeved that tax dollars and police time is being wasted this way.
posted by Jane Bellwether @ 11:10 AM
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