Granted, our immigration policies are something I haven't studied up on. Yet. But this doesn't make sense:
MILWAUKEE - In a pilot program escribed as the first of its kind, an agency created by the state government is making it easier for illegal immigrants in Wisconsin to obtain mortgage loans.Now, does that make sense? How is it that on the one hand employers can get into huge trouble for hiring illegals (paying as much as $10,000 per person in fines), but on the other hand the government is providing mortgages for the very same people? Am I missing something here?
Hat tip to my brother for sending me the link above.
Here's a story on "Operation Rollback", which was a 1983 bust of Walmart, whose cleaning contractors had hired illegals:
"We are always looking at companies that are knowingly exploiting people for the purpose of making money," Courtney said. He said businesses that employ undocumented workers often pay low wages and offer few or no benefits.Really? They're always looking at companies who knowingly exploit people? But wouldn't making money off a mortgage also be exploitative? I'm not getting this.
My opinion: I'm in favor of liberal immigration laws. Practically speaking, we've got an incredibly low unemployment rate, which means that we need immigrants to fill jobs that otherwise wouldn't be done. Historically, we've always welcomed immigrants; it's one of the best things about this country. My great-grandparents were immigrants, and I'm very thankful that this country let them in. Morally, we've saved countless lives and changed millions more for the better by allowing people in.
I just would like our laws to make sense. Someone help me out here, if I'm really missing a big part of the story.
2 comments:
I too have limited knowledge of immigration laws, but as this story points out:
"Financial experts say WHEDA's program was simply a reaction to the country's changing demographics. Estimates of illegal immigrants in the country range from 10 million to 12 million.."
It raises the question - how many legal immigrants are in the country? Are our immigration laws so stringent that 10-12 MILLION people need to be here illegally? Yes, there are the stereotypical stories of the humble, good illegal immigrant who struggles to come here for freedom and opportunity. But to get one's start here by breaking the law is not desirable, no matter how good and humble the intentions. I wonder how many law-breaking illegal immigrants broke other laws in their own country before they got here. My great grandparents were immigrants from Europe but they came here legally.
I agree with the quote in the story from state Senator Glenn Grothman in which he states this policy rewards people for breaking the law. "It is an insult to border guards and immigration officials who are trying to enforce the immigration law," he said. "It is an insult to people who are waiting patiently to enter the country legally."
The other interesting item in this story was the mention of Mitchell bank here in Milwaukee:
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Ooops, I accidentally posted before I finished:
The other interesting item in this story was the mention of Mitchell bank here in Milwaukee, which participates in this ITIN loan program:
"The bank on Mitchell Street served European immigrants in the neighborhood in the early 1900s. As years went by, Hispanics replaced the Germans and Poles..."
"The bank now hires Hispanic employees, has all documents in Spanish and is authorized to help immigrants obtain ITINs. "
I wonder if the bank in the 1900s had it's documents in English or Polish and German?
Anyway, I'm all for home ownership, I think it makes for a better world, but how about focusing on giving the legal immigrants this leg up instead?
TJS
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