http://socialistworker.org/2009/09/17/failure-in-the-making"The Democrats have adopted large segments of the Republican program as their own--above all, the "enforcement first" strategy. Thus, the right--in spite of its repudiation in the 2008 election--has been able to hold its ground on immigration and set the terms of the debate."
"As an example of this new crackdown, the Los Angeles-based American Apparel recently announced it will mass-fire 1,500 workers rather than face sanctions after being audited by federal officials. John Morton, the new chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, promised to ratchet up sanction raids, saying that "654 companies are currently being audited, and...many more employers will be notified soon that they also will be under scrutiny by the government.""
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Rather than begin with a call for legalization, which would energize immigrant communities, unions and the Democratic Party base, and throw Republican opponents on the defensive at time when they are weak, divided and vulnerable, the Democrats choose to prop up the Republican Party by claiming its strategy."
"The formula of "getting tough on immigration first, legalization later" has opened the door for a continued anti-immigrant push at the local and state level, and allowed a raft of new repressive propositions and bills restricting immigrants across the country to move forward.
It provides fuel for hate-radio demagogues, anti-Latino crusaders like Arizona's notorious Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and violent anti-immigrant organizations like the Minutemen."
Or perhaps you would prefer a right wing site that supports your position on American Apparel.http://blog.heritage.org/2009/10/01/who-cares-about-citizens-just-give-illegal-immigrants-amnesty-and-the-jobs/From the Heritage Foundation:
"Who Cares About Citizens, Just Give Illegal Immigrants Amnesty and the Jobs"
"The only thing ludicrous about the example cited in the New York Times editorial is the callous disregard the editorial board has for citizens."
"Specifically, the New York Times cites the case of American Apparel, which is a clothing company in Los Angeles, California. As noted by the editorial, upon receiving word of the payroll audit, American Apparel let go roughly 1,800 illegal immigrants. As further noted by the editorial, American Apparel paid the illegal immigrants from $10 to $12 per hour — “well above the minimum wage and industry standards, plus health benefits.”"
"According to the Census Bureau, the unemployment rate in Los Angeles County as of August 2009 stood at 12.4%. I assume that America Apparel will look to fill those 1,800 jobs that had been held by illegal immigrants. At a time of such high unemployment, many citizens will be eager to get a job that pays so well and comes with health benefits. What is ludicrous about that outcome?
The New York Times editorial board should be forced to face the 1,800 citizens who end up in those jobs and tell them why it is unfair that the illegal immigrants were fired from those jobs.
It is high time the New York Times editorial board got itself out of the Upper West Side of Manhattan and spent a little bit of time among the Americans who are fighting to keep their heads above water. Maybe then their sympathy will directed in the right direction."