Illegal Immigration

By Connie Pillich

Illegal immigration is a federal issue that touches Ohio in many ways. At the state level, we have the responsibility to enforce our wage and tax laws.

Some politicians talk big about illegal immigration, but do nothing about it. Immigration is an issue of the federal government. But some at the state level exploit the issue: they mislead and frighten the public with claims about illegal immigrants committing violence and stealing public benefits. They purposely misinform the citizens about the illegal immigrant presence here in Ohio. It is nothing more than race baiting.

I propose that we deal with the real issues and help business and employees:

a. Enact tough penalties for any employer who does not pay state taxes on every employee -- regardless of immigration status. If employers have to pay payroll taxes, they have no reason to hire anyone under-the-table. Hence, no reason to seek out undocumented workers.

b. Enact tough anti-trafficking-in-persons legislation. Many undocumented workers were trafficked into the United States and kept in virtual slavery conditions. Prevent the trafficking and we prevent a large number of undocumented workers from appearing in our work sites.

c. Enforce prevailing wage laws and raise the minimum wage. If employers pay good wages, Americans will seek that work. If employers pay substandard wages, only undocumented or trafficked persons will do that work.

d. Make it easier for businesses to pay taxes for all of their business by making tax deadlines and payroll related items due on uniform dates in line with federal filing dates and all on a single form.

e. Make health care plans affordable for small businesses. Often times US citizens forego taking unskilled jobs where benefits are not offered.

f. Better educate and train Ohio's young people to work in "unskilled" but demanding jobs. We do not have a one-size-fits-all work force or economy. We need every job here filled by Americans. Give our youth hope by giving them good jobs that they can live on.

g. Keep Ohioans off drugs! Addiction is a horrible situation that interferes with our work ethic. Drug addicts who are not in recovery have a great deal of trouble holding down a job because of their illness. Treat or prevent the illness, and people can go to work.

h. Set up sister-state programs (and involve labor unions) that are meaningful with the states in Mexico, Guatemala, Nigeria, Mauritania, and other countries in order to curb the need for those citizens to come to the US.

i. Enforce state laws, not federal laws. If our state, county, and local law enforcement groups focus on curbing crime in our communities, we can encourage all people, including immigrants, to report crimes to authorities. By threatening deportation to all who exist in our state, many immigrants (both legal and illegal) are fearful of reporting crime. This makes our entire community more dangerous. It forces the illegal immigrants into an underground economy -- about which we know nothing. We would be better off knowing about this economy in an open society. And, we would be better able to enforce state laws in that type of society. At the same time, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency would be better able to enforce its duties.

j. Encourage all employees in Ohio to report violations of wage and tax laws.

My plan uses state law to create a culture that effectively and fairly addresses illegal immigration on the local and state level. My plan halts the trend that pushes immigrants into a vast economic underground, discourages immigrants reporting crimes, and hurts American workers and businesses.

My plan offers sound solutions for business owners who need employees and are willing to pay good wages, but who cannot find workers. We need not manipulate or mislead our citizens about this issue. We need to act.