Breaking the back of the underground economy (by interjecting common sense to fix the illegal immigration problem)
Since I (Chad) have been complaining about illegal immigration so much, I have decided to provide my plan for dealing with the problem.
It is a generally accepted fact that there is an underground economy in the United States that may be worth as much as $1,000,000,000,000. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_economy) This economy encompasses not only purely illegal activity such as drug smuggling, prostitution, etc. but all unreported transactions, including off-the books labor by illegal immigrants. I am concentrating on the last item.
Not counting prostitution approximately $35,000,000,000 is diverted out of the general economy each year, by illegal workers. Some of that is recovered by such things as sales taxes, and general consumer consumption, but a great deal leaves the US to flow to the home countries. In fact that flow of money is Mexico’s single largest source of cash, $19 to $20 Billion, which probably explains why the Mexican government does everything it can to undermine our immigration enforcement tactics. All this is costing you money; every tax dollar that leaves circulation is one that you have to make up. So what do we do about it? Well this is your lucky day because I am here to tell you.
The plan I am about to propose is, fairly simple and I believe almost foolproof:
1. Give all non-documented workers 90 days to report to ICE for processing and beginning the legalization process. After that 90 day period no new workers will be processed under this plan.
• A fine may be assessed at this time for the crime of entering the country illegally.
• Establish a method for verifying social security numbers. Require employers to verify and keep a record of verification.
2. During this same time begin construction of barrier walls at high traffic areas along the borders. (Yes I include Canada in this remember that is where Ressam entered from during his quest to blow up LAX). As the coyotes shift their routes to lower traffic areas expand the barrier.
3. Establish a Guest Worker Visa program with no limits on numbers of applicants but a strict time limit. Also establish a Guest Agricultural Worker Visa program that has a 3 month limit. All Visas’ (Visi?) must be processed within 2 weeks. To prevent abuse by the employers require:
• The employer advertise the job including wages for 2 weeks prior to applying for the Visa
• The guest worker must be paid the advertised rate plus 10%
• The employer must provide health insurance or take out a bond, to insure local and state governments are reimbursed for any emergent care.
4. After the 90 day processing period has ended flood labor markets known to have high levels of illegal labor with ICE agents. Have them check every high risk business in that city. Fine the businesses with undocumented laborers until the owners squeal like a pig. Repeat this as necessary. The idea is to make it unprofitable for the employers to undermine the system.
That really should do it. While there is some tweaking that can be done, this plan should make it unprofitable to hire illegal labor, discourage off the books labor, put immigrants on a firmer footing when dealing with management, increase wages in blue collar jobs with a high ratio of immigrants in the work force, and open up jobs in the entry level market for natives. If Unions were smart they would press for a provision where they can challenge workers documentation and if Republicans are smart they will adopt something like this and present it as a win for everyone. I firmly believe the Democrats have a vested interest in the status quo so I don’t see them adopting a plan like this, but if one does I will support them on it wholeheartedly.
tags: immigration
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April 13th, 2006 at 8:19 am
Based on the people I see winning them on TV, it appears that state lotteries are also a form of taxation for the underground economy. Perhaps marketing efforts should be expanded in agricultural areas and other places where illegal (ie. non-tax paying) individuals congregate? Why not empower those hot lunch trucks to sell them along with Yoo-Hoo?
April 13th, 2006 at 10:11 am
That might work.
BTW to everyone else when I said 90 days to report to ICE, that is 90 days from a set date after a ramp up period, although just registering them should be no more difficult than getting a state ID card. If the gov’t was smart they would issue taxpayer IDs at the same time, so that the immigrants are starting fresh.
April 13th, 2006 at 10:19 am
Yes, there are millions of dollars earned by illegal workers leaving the country. Money goes to families who are going to buy US products -made in China. It somewhat helps the US economy, once again, as not only illegal work helps out the system, but does provide import/export, and lots of it.
What could really help everyone would be to force the employer to provide health care for ALL their workers. What difference would it make: more US and else people in good shape, and if health insurance got to be paid, it’ll have to be out of your paycheck anyhwow. If everyone pays, it is cheaper too. Now, for illegals, that would be the downfall right there. Companies would have to declare all their workers through this insurance, and really commit to all their employees, foreigners -visa process and else- or not -real training and benefits. I think it is simply time to bring responsibility back to the employers.
April 13th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Laetitia,
I didn’t quite follow your train of thought above, but I believe what you are saying is that the money exported out of the US eventually flows back to the US. That is true to an extent but much more of it stays in circulation outside our control.
The point on health care is a contentious one. My employer provides health care, as have all my jobs except one, but ultimately it is my responsibility to ensure that I have a method of paying my medical bills, however when an employer is bring someone in temporarily from a foriegn country I think they have a responsibility to mitigate the impact on the system. Currently in CA, the health care system is going broke because of the load placed by illegals, and that is driving up the cost of care for everyone. There are of course other factors but that is an area for another post.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
Forgive me but I’m partial to a different plan. Here it goes:
Handle the situation in steps.
First things first. Secure the border with the military. Use National Guard and or Army and Marines. That’s right folks. Screw the wall or using the Border Patrol. A wall won’t work because a fortification with out armed support is a waste of time. The border patrol is a police force, what we are dealing with is an invasion and that requires a military response. When illegals are intercepted bring them to detention camps for holding and processing. Record their indentities via photo and finger prints (start a data base). Then deport them. Also, make them a “persona non grata” for ten years. If they are caught again, either trying to enter or in the U.S. within that time give them a stiff prison term with hard labor to boot. this will stop the flow in. Once stiff penalties and rigorous military enforcement are in place word will get out that the U.S. is no longer a free ride.
Once, the number of illegals in the U.S. is finite due to securing the border we can begin the business of clearing out those that are here. Give them 90 days to leave, not to begin any AMNESTY. After that time period expires those caught here will be treated the same as outlined above.
I know what your thinking… I’m a racist, Nazi, unfealling, blah blah blah. But getting tough is the only way to fix it.
Mexico will protest. We need to remind them that the U.S. is a sovereign nation and has an obligation to protect its borders with its military just like Mexico already does with its border. Not to mention we give them a hell of a lot of foriegn aid. In short tell Fox to shut up and sit down. Americans need to stop whining and stick up for them selves. This our country not Mexico’s dumping ground for their poor and unwanted.
As far as “they do the jobs Americans won’t”… Bull Shit. Americans won’t do those jobs because they don’t pay enough. Business interests are drunk on cheap labor. People who they can exploit in ways U.S. citizens would never tolerate. You say well the price of fruit and vegetables will go up, who will mow my lawn for $5, or wipe my kids ass for a pittance. Shame on you, you are assholes. You want a virtual slave work force to do your dirty work for near nothing instead of protecting your country. That’s right those types are the real racist. They figure brown skin workers with no rights and or recourse is the way to go. Plus they sell out their own country to have it.
Finally we need immigrants. A legal, Humane and mutually beneficial method needs to be drawn up and then adhered to. Which is another subject for another discussion.
April 13th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
OK John, here are the problems I see with your plan.
First where do the troops come from? I have no problem with reinforcing the border fence / wall with troops but to have that as the sole barrier is unrealistic. I have previously advocated putting the troops that redoply from Korea and Germany on the border but that is only 50,000 troops, and the mexican border isnt the only one we have to worry about. This country also has high levels of illegal immigration from Europe and China. In addition are we going to build new bases on the border that is a lot more expensive than a fence. There is also a problem with a little thing called the Posse Comitatus Act. Unless we can get a border enforcement zone (which I have advocated) declared the military can only assist the Border Patrol they can’t enforce the law.
Second, the courts are not going to allow you to round up 12,000,000 people and place them in detention camps.
Third, Illegals make up about 5% of the workforce. If by magic you could somehow miracle them all back to where the came from I am willing to bet the economic disruption would be pretty severe. With my plan that would be minimized.
Fourth, your plan violates the principle of simple fairness. We may like not to admit it, but America as a country tacitly encourage illegal immigration for years. We turned a mostly blind eye to it and when we could have nipped it in the bud we did nothing. Now we have to live with the consequences of our choices.
Fifth, If they pay fines it isn’t an Amnesty. That would entail no punishment.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&safe=off&rls=GGGL,GGGL:2005-09,GGGL:en&defl=en&q=define:amnesty&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
I do agree Vincente Fox needs to shut up.
The idea behing my plan is to attack the problem in managable pieces and actually fix the problem instead of keeping anything from happening by harping about no amnesty.
April 14th, 2006 at 2:35 am
What you have outline is indeed a logical approach to solving the illegal immigration problem and if implemented would probably resolve about 90% if the problem.
The “if implemented” part is the hook though. We have not shown the political will to address illegal immigration and this is the ingredient that is essential. Telling Fox to shut up and sit down won’t work unless you are willing to make it happen.
The public needs to organize and demand of our politicians that the problem be addressed and let them know at the ballot box we want change not half assed measures that won’t do the job.
A politician’s job security is his first interest and if he knows that it is in jeopardy he will give you his undivided attention. That is the key.
Chuck
April 14th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Chad,
The way I see it half measures won’t work. I’m well aware that what I propose is drastic and there would be a huge amount of whining and crying.
First I would like to point out where we agree:
1. “I do agree Vincente Fox needs to shut up.”
2. “We may like not to admit it, but America as a country tacitly encourage illegal immigration for years. We turned a mostly blind eye to it and when we could have nipped it in the bud we did nothing. Now we have to live with the consequences of our choices.”
Now for our differences:
1. “This country also has high levels of illegal immigration from Europe and China.”
-Seems to me most come from Mexico and Latin America. It is alot easier to walk across a common land border than swim an Ocean. Also, Asian and European “illegals” aren’t making demands in the street backed up by a thinly veiled threat of telling us we’re in their homeland of “Azland”
2. “In addition are we going to build new bases on the border that is a lot more expensive than a fence. ”
-We have bases throughout the South West we would not have to build all new bases.
-Also, a fence won’t work. So, if it only cost you $1 to build it, it is still a $1 wasted.
3.”There is also a problem with a little thing called the Posse Comitatus Act. Unless we can get a border enforcement zone (which I have advocated) declared the military can only assist the Border Patrol they can’t enforce the law. ”
-A simple act of Congress can change the above problem, otherwords change the law. Which is what we are talking about.
4.”Second, the courts are not going to allow you to round up 12,000,000 people and place them in detention camps.”
-The Courts are in No way able to tell the Congress and the President that they are not able to protect the Country from invasion. I view this as a military matter. The Mexican Army has been filmed aiding drug dealers in crossing into the U.S. This is pretext enough to put the matter out of the Judiciary’s realm. Oh, and lets not forget that 500,000 people who are not citizens protesting in our streets is a threat that has to be delt with. When there were riots in LA in 92, by citizens, the Marines and Army were used to restore order. I don’t remember the courts getting involved. Finally we don’t have to round them up all at once. We can get them at our leisure picking them up when they make a mistake; like trying to use our public services or being arested for other crimes and such.
4.”Third, Illegals make up about 5% of the workforce. If by magic you could somehow miracle them all back to where the came from I am willing to bet the economic disruption would be pretty severe. ”
-Unemployment is at about 4.7% right now. I’ll live with the .3% and the disruption for the time being. Besides, it would become a worker’s market raising wages. I know I’m a mean bastard but I do like to think positive some times.
5.”Fifth, If they pay fines it isn’t an Amnesty. That would entail no punishment.”
-Not harsh enough for me. Invading my country and threatening me with mass demonstrations deserves much stronger punishment. Thowing them out is soft in my opinion but it will do for now.
My idea is to stop pussy footing around. Does this country belong to citizens and legal immigrants? Or does it belong to those who break or laws and then threaten us while waving the flag of a foriegn nation on our own soil?
In closing I think there is one thing we can agree upon. The politians in D.C. have no spine or will to do anything that will bring change. Why? Becuase as Charles Bannerman said, “The public needs to organize and demand of our politicians that the problem be addressed and let them know at the ballot box we want change not half assed measures that won’t do the job.” We as a people have lost our will. We complain but do nothing. Hell only about half of the electorate votes, let alone demand action.
I give you credit Chad, you at least have the balls to put forth a plan and discuss it in an open forum. Good job.
April 14th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
John,
IRT your points:
Also, Asian and European “illegals” aren’t making demands in the street backed up by a thinly veiled threat of telling us we’re in their homeland of “Azland”
- Give them time. I know that sounds like a joke but the entitlement mentality will build.
We have bases throughout the South West we would not have to build all new bases.
- As a Marine you know that there is only so much ground a patrol can cover per day. Currently the majority of our bases are not place to effectively cover the borders.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra/DOCUMENTS/BASES.PDF
So unless you are willing to leave portions of the border with no coverage at all a fence line backed by patrols is a preferable solution. I will go further and say we need to expand the border patrol and give it the same status as the Coast Guard.
-Also, a fence won’t work. So, if it only cost you $1 to build it, it is still a $1 wasted.
It is working in Israel. I am not saying it would be perfect, but nothing is. Look at the Korean border. The most heavily defended border in the world and North Koreans still manage to get to the South, and the North Koreans have repeatedly dug tunnels under the border large enough to move a regiment per hour through.
Again the idea is to make illegal immigration costly enough that legal immigration becomes a better alternative.
-Unemployment is at about 4.7% right now. I’ll live with the .3% and the disruption for the time being. Besides, it would become a worker’s market raising wages. I know I’m a mean bastard but I do like to think positive some times.
I know that seems like an easy switch, but I am doubtful about it. I can’t give any references but I have a feeling that a good portion of that 4.7% are chronically unemployable.
-A simple act of Congress can change the above problem, otherwords change the law. Which is what we are talking about.
Your right, but at the same time do we really want the military to have general law enforcement powers? I don’t it detracts from the main mission.
“The public needs to organize and demand of our politicians that the problem be addressed and let them know at the ballot box we want change not half assed measures that won’t do the job.” We as a people have lost our will. We complain but do nothing. Hell only about half of the electorate votes, let alone demand action.”
On your points regarding the use of the National Guard and Marines in the LA riots. That was a special case as was the use of the 101st Airborne in Little Rock in the 50’s.
Until someone declares illegal immigration a clear and present danger to our national security it is a criminal matter, and that means the judiciary gets involved. Hell look at Gitmo and that is a national security / military matter and they have their noses stuck in there.
I think we are just going to have to disagree on whether fines are enough punishment. I think when you look at the wages most illegals make and the impact any substantial fine would have it would be a very effective punishment.
I agree with both you and Charles on this point
The politians in D.C. have no spine or will to do anything that will bring change. Why? Becuase as Charles Bannerman said, “The public needs to organize and demand of our politicians that the problem be addressed and let them know at the ballot box we want change not half assed measures that won’t do the job.” We as a people have lost our will. We complain but do nothing. Hell only about half of the electorate votes, let alone demand action.
And that is why we need a concensus plan so pressure can be brought to bear.
Finally thanks for the compliments.