As I wrote in April 2009 and in July 2010, “The Obama Administration’s worksite audit policy is resulting in illegal immigrants simply moving to different jobs elsewhere in America.” In today’s Wall Street Journal, that outcome is confirmed in spades.
The story details what happened to the roughly 1,200 illegal immigrants terminated in Minnesota after a worksite audit occurred at two companies, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Harvard Maintenance. A representative of the union that covered most of the workers noted that “most workers stayed in the area and began hustling for other work.” A survey of 200 terminated illegal immigrants found that “only 6% were seriously considering returning to their countries of origin.” Equally troubling: During their time in the United States, the 200 illegal immigrants gave birth to a total of 760 children subject to birthright citizenship.
The story notes that the Obama Administration has roughly 1,000 active audits across the United States. That means more terminated illegal immigrants who simply remain in America during a time of heightened unemployment, more children born here, and less attrition through deportation.
And that is what President Barack Obama considers a “tougher” immigration policy. A wiser approach would include: 1) increased and robust support provided for state and local collaboration through the 287(g) and Secure Communities programs; 2) enhanced workplace enforcement through the promotion of E-Verify; and 3) implementation of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and the REAL ID Act of 2005.
