They (the press) are acting like Trump's immigration policies are so radical but all he's done is ask federal agencies to enforce the laws that are already on the books. The wall itself is something that has already been passed by congress, and signed during the Bush administration.
That's where it gets difficult, especially here in California. I have no idea if Alfonso, my Gardner is here legally or illegally. I'm pretty sure he's legal but I'm not positive. His wife speaks perfect English ...he doesn't. I pay him with a check and that's all I know.
I'm sure Alfonso doesn't get any benefits. I hope he's legal and gets to stay. He is the nicest guy I know and also very hard working. Trustworthy also, he's the only person that had a key to my back gate while I was gone for a month. They're probably a lot of Alfonso's and I hope they at least get to stay.
I think there's a difference between someone hiring someone to mow their lawn and trim their hedges and a construction company hiring a work crew. During the Clinton administration, such employers were required to collect documentation showing that their employees were legal, but homeowners weren't required to ask the same of people they hire for occasional or part-time work. I assume you're not required to file an F-9 form for your gardener? The problem now, and this began with the Bush administration and carried over into the Obama administration, is that employers are not allowed to even question an applicant's immigration status.
Yes, I realize that, @Ken Anderson .....and you're right. No, I don't even know what an F-9 form is. Well, if I get in trouble for hiring an illegal, so will the whole subdivision....nobody mows their own lawn here. Besides my part in any of it, I do worry about people like Alfonso and hope he's legal...everything seems to point to the fact that he is but you never know.
This is something that has worried me, as well. We have always had people that came here, did their best to learn the language, and wanted nothing more than to become a happy American citizen. Even now, we have people who have come here illegally who also want that, and I think that the Alfonso's of this country should be able to become legal citizens. It is the ones who were criminals in Mexico, Honduras (or wherever they came from)that concern me. Many of these are not here for a better life, they are here to escape punishment for the crimes they committed before they came here, and are still living a criminal lifestyle here. It appears that these are the first ones that our new president is going to have removed from this country, and I believe that this is a good thing. We actually need workers here. Even though we say there are not enough jobs, the sad fact is that our younger generation of Americans contains a lot of people who think that they are too good to do any kind of hard work. Some never try to work at all, and many others only want a part time job and get government benefits. The other large group is we who are seniors, and have retired. I think that young Hispanic families coming here, joining the workforce, and paying their taxes like everyone else can be a good thing for this country. We are at a nearly zero growth rate in this country, as far as having children; meanwhile the Islamic people are multiplying like crazy. This country needs more people who are working, and less who are unnecessarily collecting government benefits.
Yes, true! Was surprised when I heard that about the Wall being passed way back when, heard all of that, and that it's only enforcing laws already made God knows how long ago!!
I remember, years ago, when INS done "sweeps" at different companies around Orange County, California. Myself, I never worked for a company where there was a "sweep" done, but my wife did. I worked for mostly electronics/computer companies that hired whites and a few southeast Asians (Vietnamese). The Vietnamese were completely legal and even had electronics degrees. They kept their last name, but changed their first to an American name. There are multiple areas in So. California that have Mexican's working. One area that I worked in, was Santa Ana. I worked for a company that hired a number of Mexican people to run their large injection molding machines. They pretty much kept to themselves during lunch and break-times. Thru these people is how I learned some of my Spanish. Back to my wife's job, where a "sweep" was done: An INS van pulled up into the parking lot with a few Agents in it. As they walked towards the office, my wife told me that she could hear a runkas going on in the machine and warehouse areas. People were running everywhere. Don't remember how many of them couldn't produce legal docs, but many couldn't and were hauled away in the van. I think the company got a formal letter and fine. Basically, there are only two jobs that I've seen Mexican's working at here..........landscaping and construction cleanup.
How about we make those who did all that damage of property, in protest, 220 or so people, and make them work off the money helping build the Wall, LOL!!