Immigration officials targeting criminals, employers of illegal immigrants

[pampango]

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The top federal officials in charge of enforcing immigration laws in Georgia say they are now focusing on busting employers who knowingly hire unlawful immigrants and on deporting violent criminals who are in this country illegally.

Immigration officials in Georgia say they have limited resources and many other responsibilities, including fighting a variety of crimes from child pornography to transnational gangs. Taking their orders from Washington, they say they are concentrating on crimes that pose the greatest threats to the public and national security -- such as murder, rape, and robbery -- and the exploitation of cheap labor.

Illegal immigrants are attracted to Georgia because of the jobs here, especially in the agricultural industry, so prosecuting employers who hire them can make the biggest dent in the problem, the officials said.

“Cheap labor unfortunately was a magnet not just for Georgia but for other states,” said Felicia Skinner, the Atlanta field office director for ICE's enforcement and removal operations. “And that is why this administration has decided it is going to focus on the employers who are exploiting this cheap labor.”

ICE officials are checking up on business owners by inspecting their hiring records. So far this federal fiscal year – which covers October to September -- officials have arrested 341 people on illegal immigration charges at worksites nationwide, according to ICE. Of those, 152 were managers. That is in contrast to 2009, when 114 managers and 296 employees were arrested, and fiscal year 2008, when 135 managers and 968 employees were arrested.

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/immigration-officials-targeting-criminals-594121.html

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Sounds like they have already arrested more managers this fiscal year than in 2008 or 2009.

[russspeakeasy]

1. Agree...This is where the emphasis belongs..The problem

will be when the Chamber of Commerce gets wind of it...Thanks
for the posting...

[groundloop]

2. The adults are back in charge.

[alp227]

3. Good & bueno. Kill the jobs magnet, solve the problem.

Now how about some real reform for those already here without documentation? For now it's a good thing that the feds are cracking down on illegal employment...not to mention many human rights violations by exploiting cheap labor too.

[pampango]

6. The Progressive Caucus agrees with you. Enforce the law AND real reform for those already here.

http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?ContentID=205&ParentID=0&SectionID=93&SectionTree=93&lnk=b&ItemID=203

Congressional Progressive Caucus Adopts Principles for Immigrations Reform

December 9, 2009

· Allowing immigrants currently in the United States a pathway to seek earned legal status and citizenship

· Protecting workers

· Improving temporary worker programs to better meet the needs of employers and workers

· Promoting family reunification alleviating backlogs and waiting periods

· Eliminating discrimination against same-sex partners and their families

· Expanding alternatives to detention and creating enforceable detention standards

· Guaranteeing humane enforcement of immigration law that respects needs of vulnerable populations, including children and seniors

· Ensuring immigrant access to higher education

· Instituting due process reforms

· Ending racial profiling abuses through strict statistical reporting

[kelly1mm]

4. It is about time. I have always thought we do not need to deport 12-20

million illegal immigrants, we simply need to make it impossible for them to make money here and they will return to their home countries themselves. My proposal would be to fine employers $1000 per day, per illegal immigrant worker (including day laborers). Use part of that money to pay for transportation back to the illegal immigrants country. No criminal charges or stigma, just show up to ICE and get a ticket back home on the next available flight/bus.

[junior college]

5. The hard working immigrant has an advantage over the American

Hard work and job appreciation will always draw employers to them

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. It's about time.

[meow2u3]

8. I second that

:kick: