To open up jobs, round up illegal immigrants

Is there anything more infuriating than hearing a politician or government official say that it would be impossible for government to round up the estimated 10 million to 12 million illegal immigrants and visa overstays and then turn around and complain about the high unemployment numbers?

In fact, the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” used so effectively by the Clinton campaign in 1992 has been resurrected by Republicans as they hammer away at the president’s failure to create more jobs and improve the economy. And yes, the president has to share some of the blame with Congress for the number of unemployed and weak economic numbers.

So why at a time of high unemployment and a struggling economy does government continue to issue Foreign Worker visas and allow an estimated seven million illegals and visa overstays to fill jobs that could and should be filled by Americans?

Don’t believe the politicians when they tell you that it would be too difficult and expensive to round up 10 to 12 million of them, because it simply is not true. The answer to greatly reducing the number of illegals now holding down jobs is very simple and it could be done in less than 18 months and probably even much sooner.

All Congress and the administration would have to do is agree to enact tough immigration laws making the penalty for employing them so severe that no business or contractor would chance hiring an illegal or continue to employ a visa overstay.

By passing legislation making the fine $50,000 for businesses and contractors that hire/employ illegals, Congress would in effect open up millions of jobs for Americans and begin reducing the financial burden on communities and school districts.

Let’s finally put to rest the myth that it would impossible for government to round them up because it is just an excuse for the failure of Congress and the administration to deal with a politically sensitive issue.

Victor Darst

West Dundee