Employed Illegal Immigrants

New bill targets employers who hire illegal immigrants

On Wed. 9, 2011 State Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball filed a bill against employer who hire undocumented workers.  She said her bill would make it a state felony to "to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly hire a person who is not lawfully permitted to be in America."  Ridde believes the hiring of undocumented workers is the key reason to the immigration problem.  No longer will these businesses be able to hire illegals without consequences.  Luis Figueroa from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) says this could be problematic for legal immigrants and that it would be too much of a burden on police.  Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business, says it's too hard for employer to determine someones legal status to work.

As a Mexican-American I am for this bill.  Taking away an illegal immigrants chance to work is ridding them of a reason to come to this country ILLEGALLY.  I'm all for going through the proper steps to obtain legal work status.  A co-worker of mine who came to the USA legally from Mexico believes all the illegal immigrants give Mexicans a bad name and i agree.  I think Luis Figueroa is making excuses for illegals and Bill Hammond just doesn't want the responsibility.  I don't believe its too much for LAW ENFORCEMENT to enforce the law, that's kinda what their job is.  If the employer is supposed to check on legal status i don't think it would be problematic for the legal.  Your employer should already know your information and can check your status.  The proposed bill is more focused on stopping employers from hiring illegals not finding the illegals.  It should be the employers job to check on who they are hiring.  As Americans i think everyone should do what they can for our country.  Checking on the legal status of someone you hire is not that much too ask.  It should just just be part of the hiring process.