Unemployment and “Unauthorized” Aliens: How our security failures are affecting our wallets
In the June 2009 Employment Situation Survey, the Bureau Of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported unemployment figures at 9.5%, or, 14.7 million citizens of the United States looking for work. “Large declines occurring in manufacturing, professional, business services, and construction” continue to fuel a recession despite spending $789 billion on a stimulus plan that tapped our national treasure, but, continues to fail in execution. Forecast.org estimates unemployment to increase to 11.2%, or, 17.3 million by February.
In a December 2007 report, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the “unauthorized” alien population around 12 million persons. With 14.7 million citizens currently unemployed, and a possible 17 million in six months, we have arrived at a nexus where border security and alien status has converged with the recession and the pocketbooks of the American taxpayers.
While the good citizens of our country struggle to make ends meet, “unauthorized” aliens continue to take advantage of our weak security systems. Once here, they take positions that could be held by citizens or those aliens that have taken the necessary steps to enter our country legally.
The CBO stated that “most available studies conclude that the unauthorized population pays less in state and local taxes than it costs state and local governments to provide services to that population”. In short, it cost taxpayers for them to be here.
The report also cited a Pew poll that shows California’s “unauthorized” alien at 8% and further goes on to show higher rates of government service use coupled with lower levels of education. With many sanctuary cities, California is a shining example of how to mismanage taxpayer dollars.
Right now, Americans everywhere are debating the fate of the Health Care bill. An estimated 9.6 million “unauthorized” aliens are prohibited from paying premiums on page 170 of that bill. That means “unauthorized” aliens are not only taking away jobs, but, are and will cost American taxpayers more money as they freely take advantage of our health care systems meant for citizens.
E-Verify, a government program meant to check a worker’s valid status though Social Security, could easily be employed in its intended use to curb “unauthorized” alien employment. This would allow millions of citizens the opportunity of employment during the financial hardships brought on by the current recession. However, on the front page of it’s website E-verify states, “Federal contractors may NOT use E-Verify to verify current employees until the rule becomes effective and they are awarded a contract that includes the FAR E-Verify Clause”, referring to a Sep 8th, 2009 decision whether or not to enforce an Executive Order by President Bush to force government contractors to have a legal workforce, a policy dating from 1996, and the Clinton Administration.
A substantial decrease in tax burdens would occur, if we could just enforce border security and immigration laws. There is an existing process to enter our country legally. The process happens every day. Many valued international workers come to this country to engage in the different industries available. These workers enjoy the fruits of our society and contribute to our overall success as a nation, unfortunately, the millions that have not done so legally contribute to the dysfunction of our government. These “unauthorized: aliens affect the security and finances of our nation. As we struggle to find our way out of the mess of this recession, true reform is screaming for attention from many directions.
We can not afford to look the other way anymore.
Sources cited:
June 2009 Employment Situation Survey: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
U.S. Unemployment Rate Forecast: http://forecasts.org/unemploy.htm
The Impact of Unauthorized Immigrants on the Budgets of State and Local Governments: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/87xx/doc8711/12-6-Immigration.pdf
E-Verify: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD
Now that our legislators are supposedly on the same track with E-Verify, it needs to be rigorously enforced? California–a Sanctuary State–will need exclusive attention along with other border states, because they have been occupied by millions of illegal immigrants, causing major damage to their economies. Once E-Verify is fully implemented on a permanent basis for all the working population, including all persons on a payroll? My suggestion is an army of federal inspectors of perhaps retired civil servants, senior citizens in their resident community, to make unexpected inspections on large and small businesses.
The inspectors will probably have to be armed with a general search warrant, but honorable business will hardly impose this restriction if they have nothing to hide? This will be a strict deterrent to parasite businesses, who will never be aware–WHEN THAT FEDERAL OFFICER–is going to turn up, to observe their workers? They will audit their books and check for irregularities in the workplace. This is happening in Italy and other countries, because of the importation of illegal foreign labor, has caused major concerns amongst the countries bona-fide workers. If Washington is really sincere about the10.5 jobless Americans, then we need to impose heavy penalties on those business that scorn the law. Another possibility is a reward system for informants, who have positive knowledge of companies that are scoffing at E-Verify, and committing the offense of hiring illegal aliens. Business are living off taxpayers taxes, because they don’t convey health care to their illegal hires.
Get on the phone and tell your Representative, you support–THE SAVE ACT– 202-224-3121 Believe it! Your voices are having the right effect.?Support for the bi-partisan SAVE Act, which will expand E-Verify and protect American jobs! We must focus on the key to this major problem-the jobs that attract illegal aliens. It would phase in a requirement for every employer to use the electronic verification system. We must also be aware that the Democrats are ready to open the gates to our nation, once a path to citizenship is announced. Search out the facts at NUMBERSUSA, AMERICANPATROL
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