c_hawkbob wrote:I think how the states interpret, implement and enforce immigration policy should be up to the state government, not the federal government.
Furthermore, if an undocumented immigrant is working, paying taxes and being a productive member of his/her community, just document them! It's gotta be cheaper than sending them away. If they are a criminal or are a burden on society then by all means send them on their way.
I think how the states interpret, implement and enforce immigration policy should be up to the state government, not the federal government.
Old but Slow wrote:I hate this whole dispute. Good thing that our state doesn't need agriculture, and large harvests of fruit and vegetables, because losing those aliens could cost us a bundle. Whew, no worry.
Old but Slow wrote:I hate this whole dispute. Good thing that our state doesn't need agriculture, and large harvests of fruit and vegetables, because losing those aliens could cost us a bundle. Whew, no worry.
Aseahawkfan wrote:Those companies (agricultural) pay a lot of money to defeat increases in immigration enforcement so they can exploit illegal immigrant workers. There's a lot of downsides for the illegal immigrants that no one discusses like wage exploitation, abuse, and the like. It's a testament to how horrible the nations they come from are that they would rather live in America as exploited workers than their country as a citizen. It's unfortunate that so many nations run so poorly that they have to run from their home to a new nation to prosper at the lowest levels of that nation. How I wish there weren't so many stupid, corrupt people in these foreign nations that cause them to live cesspools they want to leave.
RiverDog wrote:Not from what I've seen, at least not on any type of scale that would qualify it as being widespread. 30-40 years ago, absolutely there was a lot of abuse. But not today, at least not with the larger companies. There's just too many watchdogs out there, from the government to the media to advocacy groups. Additionally, there are a lot of American citizens, seasonal workers many of whom are local residents that speak English and that work shoulder to shoulder with illegal aliens and are a lot more likely to report abuses if they see them.
I personally know people that came into this country illegally and worked in the fields and orchards, so I believe I am somewhat qualified to speak on the subject. They worked long hours for peanuts, but there was nothing illegal or abusive about their situation.
At my former place of business where we traditionally hire immigrants and other entry level workers that are just entering the American work force, we've contracted out our new employee procurement services. We've hired a company that adminsters drug screens, conduct criminal background checks, and verifies an applicant's legal status. They are extremely thorough. In the past 20 years, I know of no one that we hired, either permanently or temporarily, that was not either a citizen or a legal resident.
I view working long hours for peanuts abusive.
Aseahawkfan wrote:I view working long hours for peanuts abusive. It's not about beating on them or anything. It's about using them as disposable workers because they lack the ability to pursue work rights due to their illegal status.
RiverDog wrote:When I was in high school and college, during wheat harvest, which normally lasted about 6 weeks, it was not uncommon for me to work seven 14 hour days per week, or 96 hours, and at that time, farm labor was exempt from overtime, so you're not going to get a lot of sympathy from me if your only criteria for abuse is long hours for minimum wage.
The truth is that if you were to cut back on a migrant or seasonal worker's hours, they would simply go somewhere else because they can't make as much money. They want long hours. Farmers and orchardists, on the other hand, do everything in their power to restrict the number of hours their workers put in. Labor cost is one of the few variables a farmer has that he can control and can make or break their operation.
Besides, anyone in this state 16 years and older has to be paid minimum wage, and at $11.50/hr, our state has the highest minimum wage in the country. So we're really not talking about peanuts. They are well paid considering the skill level required of their work.
burrrton wrote:If it's unskilled labor, it's not worth more than peanuts in most circumstances, and an income is not abuse.
I think you insult them treating them like your retarded little brother-
when they don't have any other way of making money, peanuts is *treasure* to them until such time as they become more marketable.
Not sure where you're getting this interpretation from.
Aseahawkfan wrote:You said peanuts, right? Glad to hear their situation is better now. From what I"ve seen of our government, they are obtaining more help here than many places.
burrrton wrote:And I think it's obvious.
Quit treating them like they're 5-year-olds. They come here because they know they can make in a day what it would have taken them a month to make in their home countries. Sorry, but low-skill jobs don't become upper management positions because you feel sorry for them.
They don't need or want your pity. Quit insulting them.
Here's a challenge- get on Craigslist and look for cheap lawn maintenance. If your area is anything like around here, you'll have more than your share of (likely) illegal workers for hire.
Now tell everyone why you don't pay him $100 every week for a couple hours on your lawn. I'll wait.
My bad for not wanting to see them being exploited. I forgot exploitation is just them working hard for "treasure" doing your lawn.
Second, I wouldn't pay some exploitative wage to Mexicans.
We differ on what we consider exploitation.
Aseahawkfan wrote:I wouldn't pay some exploitative wage to Mexicans. Why? I'm half-Mexican, 3rd generation.
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