Lies about Undocumented Workers and the Immigration Issue

Lies about Undocumented Workers and the Immigration Issue

By R. Miles Mendenhall

7/10/2010

Illegal Immigrants, aka undocumented workers, take jobs from hard working American citizens and legal residents.

They take jobs that involve backbreaking “unskilled”, often dangerous work, at wages and under conditions that no one else will tolerate. If you have a problem with that, talk to their employers. Much of that work requires habits and skills not held by many documented workers. There is a case that can be made claiming undocumented labor serves to drive down the prevailing wage in our economy. Again, talk to the people employing them. They like it that way.

They overburden our public services; schools, social safety net, hospitals, etc.

Undocumented immigrants come here to work They pay taxes; Income, Sales, Social Security, and don’t collect because they can’t. The fact that “we” hire them, but don’t make it possible to get drivers licenses and don’t provide health insurance...again, talk to their employers. Because some of them are among the poorest of the poor here, means they suffer the same problems as all poor people. Is that their fault? Or is it the fault of the society, and its leaders, who allow such poverty to exist?

They’re criminals, drug dealers, drug smugglers, child molesters, murderers, rapists and the scum of the earth.

The vast majority are conservative, religiously devout, family oriented, hard working and law abiding. Many come as young men (and women), separated from their families and communities. Like many young men away from home all over the world, a few fall into habits that get them caught up with the law. There is no proof that the incidence of crime among these groups is greater than among others. In fact, there is evidence that it is much, much lower. But with the emphasis on them in the news, and the rising tide of anti-immigrant hysteria because of these hard economic times, every instance is exaggerated and played up. It’s a good example of Confirmation Bias. Can you say, xenophobia? Racism? Fear mongering? Hatred?

They take more than they put back.

Remittances sent home keep communities and families alive. But the taxes these workers pay stay here. They also pay their way here, for food, clothing, rent (such as it is, crowded into cheap, shoddy and unsafe housing), and other expenses. Got a problem with their living conditions? Talk to their landlords, or should we say, slumlords.

They won’t assimilate and are a threat to the stability of American (U.S.) culture.

This was said about every group in every wave of immigration throughout U.S. history. It is no truer now than it was every time before.

They’re breaking the law!

In the sense that they came here without permission from the State Department, yes. But in every other way they are following a fine old American (U.S.) tradition. Seeking opportunity where it can be found, to provide for their families and secure the blessings of our freedoms for themselves and their children.


What we need is immigration reform that takes into account what these workers provide to our community, our nation and us. If one looks at the history of immigration and borders, the idea of securing our borders to keep them out, is a fools errand. Expanding opportunity in their home countries is probably the only way they'll stay home.

Guaranteeing safe, living wage, non-exploitive jobs to citizens and legal residents, in all areas of work here, is the only way to get legal Americans (U.S.) to take jobs in the fields, meat packing factories, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurant kitchens, yards, nurseries, houses and manufacturing shops (currently “sweat shops”) across the land. But with the current economic arrangement, good luck with that!

The bottom line is, they wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t work for them. If you have a problem with that talk to their employers. But good luck. Huge profits depend on their cheap, easily exploitable and dismissible labor. Same as it’s always been. Those in power will pay lip service to upholding the law, protecting American (U.S.) workers, securing the borders, etc. But even if it were possible to seal the borders, which it isn’t, it’s not going to happen. Because too many palms are greased and too many people are getting a cut.

Calling for tougher laws is tantamount to pissing into the wind. The laws are on the books, they’re not enforced. They’re not seen as a priority for law enforcement. They never will be as long as the very interests who benefit from this labor are calling the shots.


No citations provided. This is all common knowledge to anyone observing the debate. It is known by reading the news, with an open mind in an attempt to find out the truth. I’ve seen statistics and studies supporting all of my claims above. Feel free to dig them up.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by Mad Miles:

What we need is immigration reform that takes into account what these workers provide to our community, our nation and us. If one looks at the history of immigration and borders, the idea of securing our borders to keep them out, is a fools errand. Expanding opportunity in their home countries is probably the only way they'll stay home.

Guaranteeing safe, living wage, non-exploitive jobs to citizens and legal residents, in all areas of work here, is the only way to get legal Americans (U.S.) to take jobs in the fields, meat packing factories, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurant kitchens, yards, nurseries, houses and manufacturing shops (currently “sweat shops”) across the land. But with the current economic arrangement, good luck with that!

The bottom line is, they wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t work for them. If you have a problem with that talk to their employers. But good luck. Huge profits depend on their cheap, easily exploitable and dismissible labor. Same as it’s always been. Those in power will pay lip service to upholding the law, protecting American (U.S.) workers, securing the borders, etc. But even if it were possible to seal the borders, which it isn’t, it’s not going to happen. Because too many palms are greased and too many people are getting a cut.

---

I agree with these parts of your post.

It is a gross injustice to lump them all together in that rosy-glasses view as workers who will do jobs that Americans won't (but that Americans did before they showed up).

I've marched among them. I've observed them proclaiming reconquista, that they will drive the whites and Jews out of Aztlan, that they are engaging in Socialist Revolution, that "today we march, tomorrow we vote" for candidates who represent Mexico rather than America.

Sure, I'm singling out the invaders from Mexico, the nation that is orchestrating a massive invasion and takeover of the American political system by demographic conquest. Adherents to the takeover effort include Los Angeles Mayor Villaigarosa - a who violated his oath of office by making his city a sanctuary for illegal invasion.

This isn't just about work or the billions of dollars the invaders ship out of this country every year. It is about the very survival of the American System. They are saying it openly. Why can't we take them at face value?

And for the person who insists that many of the invaders are just here to make an honest living - I challenge you to select them, then forcefully (as the Constitution requires) drive all the others out. Do like Mexico does - punish any foreigner who attempts to interfere in domestic political issues.

See for yourself what I have seen. In their own words.

Illegal Immigration Socialist/Communist Agenda
YouTube - Illegal Immigration's Socialist/Communist Agenda


Reconquista Agenda
YouTube - Reconquista Extremism

Machete!!!!!

"Lies about 'undocumented workers"...

I agree...It seems our situation is another case of just needing to enforce the laws we've already had in place...And good luck with that...Many employers love cheap labor...
---------------------------

The 'Machete' thing is not funny...
It's pretty sickening what is happening in Mexico, and what has been happening here...
I am getting kinda' sick of the 'white bashing' mentality that seems to go around in some circles...
I've known plenty of 'white people' (myself included) who have done many of the jobs people say 'whities' won't do...It's horsecr*p...

Not many seem to care about 'brown' people who are pathetically racist also...
And it's sickening those who come here illegally, and commit crimes, like DUI, rape, murders, killing...The gang problem is disgusting...Those people need to get kicked out pronto...
People are not owed a job, or a car, or the privilege to drive...And there seems to be that mentality growing that we owe illegals that...
If people want to support the poor coming into this country to make a better life...Then put your money where your mouth is...Sponsor them so when the jobs aren't there, or if they need medical help...YOU can support them...not more draining of our tax dollars...
That use to be how many people came here - sponsorship...
We need to bring that back...
Yeah, I still think we should be taking care of our own citizens first...and make that a priority...

If I went into a country illegally...I sure would be taking my chances...
I would feel lucky if I got paid to do a job, and could better myself...But, I would also know, I could just as easily get kicked out of the country...That's the chance I would be taking...

speak2truth..."See for yourself what I have seen. In their own words."...

The political agenda of 'Aztlan' is pathetic...
Many Mexicans treated the Indians like crap too, and forgot about them...How convenient...
They really need to go put their money where their mouth is - go create their paradise in Mexico first...
But, alas we are doomed here too...

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

I agree...It seems our situation is another case of just needing to enforce the laws we've already had in place...And good luck with that...Many employers love cheap labor...

---

---------------------------
I agree with the gist of that too. But some labor laws are in need of changing. For example: 1- piece work that can be below minimum wage, 2- the overtime rule that exempts hourly labor wages for "Farm Labor" from those requirements for example.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

I am getting kinda' sick of the 'white bashing' mentality that seems to go around in some circles...
I've known plenty of 'white people' (myself included) who have done many of the jobs people say 'whities' won't do...It's horsecr*p...

---

Most "Americans" can not afford to work for the pittance-pay that is offered to Farm Laborers; it is simply not enough for our "required" living standards: I.E. Rent or property tax and mortgage, Auto insurance or other commute expenses, health care, child support, Union dues in some cases, etc..
Then there is the out-sourcing issue.
BTW I also have done some (very little) Farm Labor harvesting walnuts during a drought year (the walnuts were tiny, it was piece-work. Before travel expenses {I did car pool} I got for 8 hours labor about, $11.).
Obviously, if minimum wage labor laws were in effect, the walnuts would not have been harvested that year because it would have been a net loss for the farmer, which it may have been that year I worked there as far as I know.
I also worked a couple of seasons in the Pear Sheds in Lake County when I lived there. It was for a slightly over minimum wage (about between 10-25 cents depending on seniority, as I remember it) after a certain amount of time (of which I forget) all people processing the fruit were required to join a Union and were required to pay a flat fee Union Due every so often; which was more than the 10-25 cents over minimum wage @ 8 hours 6 days per week during the seasonal work.
We also (of course) were taxed for workmans comp, Social Security, and Fed and State withholding income too.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

Not many seem to care about 'brown' people who are pathetically racist also...

---

I do!... ...I've noticed it. I notice it coming from all spectrums. I am quite sensitive to discrimination. Supremacists and their fascism with all the by-products that go with, SUCKS period!

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

...And it's sickening those who come here illegally, and commit crimes, like DUI, rape, murders, killing...The gang problem is disgusting...

---

It's equally "sickening" to me wherever, or whomever commits heinous crimes comes from.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

Those people need to get kicked out pronto...

---

After serving the prison conviction sentence for the crime they have been convicted of in a fair trial with an impartial jury.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

People are not owed a job, or a car, or the privilege to drive...And there seems to be that mentality growing that we owe illegals that... ...Yeah, I still think we should be taking care of our own citizens first...and make that a priority...

---

I agree with the gist of 1 of those 2 points.
We do owe “It” (gainful, safe employment and adequate, safe housing {homes}; not necessarily "cars") to ourselves first: FDR's State of the Union Message to Congress, January 4, 1944 is a good foundation to start that process.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

...That use to be how many people came here - sponsorship...
We need to bring that back.

---

I did not know that sponsorship ever went away!?:hmmm:

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by lynn:

...They really need to go put their money where their mouth is - go create their paradise in Mexico first...

---

Because of the “ Mexican Drug War” and the historic vast deeply rooted corruption in Mexico it is likely that "They" will need (allot more of) our American military assistance and also, Major (American) Drug Law changes to eliminate the high profits from the drug cartels.
Your suggestion to the honest, hard-working, undocumented coming over the Mexican United States border is basically a moot point because of the real situation on the ground there.

Main wiki link to subject of the Mexican drug war: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Drug_War

Another link that describes some history regarding Mexico and the drug trade going back to the 1970s: https://borderlinesblog.blogspot.com...n-and-now.html

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by Hotspring 44:

---------------------------
I agree with the gist of that too. But some[FONT=Arial] labor laws are in need of changing. For example:2- the overtime rule that exempts hourly labor wages for "Farm Labor" from those requirements for example.

---

Im interested in learning more about the overtime rule that exempts hourly labor wages for workers like myself who are "farm labor". Could you elaborate please Hotspring?

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by someguy:

Im interested in learning more about the overtime rule that exempts hourly labor wages for workers like myself who are "farm labor". Could you elaborate please Hotspring?

---

1- CA State: But the rest is so. Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Posted By Cal Labor Law

By Kent J. Sprinkle

Schwarzenegger Vetoes Proposed Overtime Legislation For Agricultural Workers



2- Federal: Minimum Wage and Overtime Pay
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes standards for minimum wages and overtime pay. The FLSA requires employers of covered employees who are not otherwise exempt to pay these employees a minimum wage of not less than $5.15 an hour as of September 1, 1997. While virtually all employees engaged in agriculture are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act because they are associated with the production of goods for interstate commerce, there are exemptions from the minimum wage provisions, the overtime pay provisions, or both for certain agricultural employees. For more detailed information visit the
U.S. Department of Labor.

Also:

The Act... (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA)(https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statute...orStandAct.pdf ), as amended (29 USC §201 et seq(https://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/29/201.html ).; 29 CFR Parts 510 to 794(https://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/ESA/T.../Chapter_V.htm) ...exempts some employees from its overtime pay and minimum wage provisions, and it also exempts certain employees from the overtime pay provisions only. Because the exemptions are narrowly defined, employers should check the exact terms and conditions for each by contacting their local Wage and Hour Division office(https://www.dol.gov/whd/america2.htm ). The following are examples of employees exempt from both the minimum wage and overtime pay requirements: Executive, administrative, and professional employees (including teachers and academic administrative personnel in elementary and secondary schools), outside sales employees, and certain skilled computer professionals (as defined in the Department of Labor's regulations) 1 Employees of certain seasonal amusement or recreational establishments Employees of certain small newspapers and switchboard operators of small telephone companies Seamen employed on foreign vessels Employees engaged in fishing operations Employees engaged in newspaper delivery Farm workers employed on small farms (i.e., those that used less than 500 "man‑days" of farm labor in any calendar quarter of the preceding calendar year) Casual babysitters and persons employed as companions to the elderly or infirm The following are examples of employees exempt from the overtime pay requirements only: Certain commissioned employees of retail or service establishments Auto, truck, trailer, farm implement, boat, or aircraft salespersons employed by non‑manufacturing establishments primarily engaged in selling these items to ultimate purchasers Auto, truck, or farm implement parts‑clerks and mechanics employed by non-manufacturing establishments primarily engaged in selling these items to ultimate purchasers Railroad and air carrier employees, taxi drivers, certain employees of motor carriers, seamen on American vessels, and local delivery employees paid on approved trip rate plans Announcers, news editors, and chief engineers of certain non‑metropolitan broadcasting stations Domestic service workers who reside in their employers' residences Employees of motion picture theaters Farmworkers Certain employees may be partially exempt from the overtime pay requirements. These include: Employees engaged in certain operations on agricultural commodities and employees of certain bulk petroleum distributors Employees of hospitals and residential care establishments that have agreements with the employees that they will work 14‑day periods in lieu of 7‑day workweeks (if the employees are paid overtime premium pay within the requirements of the Act for all hours worked over eight in a day or 80 in the 14‑day work period, whichever is the greater number of overtime hours) Employees who lack a high school diploma, or who have not completed the eighth grade, who spend part of their workweeks in remedial reading or training in other basic skills that are not job specific. Employers may require such employees to engage in these activities up to 10 hours in a workweek. Employers must pay normal wages for the hours spent in such training but need not pay overtime premium pay for training hours. Article found here: https://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/minwage.htm

BTW this topic was specifically addressed by me in a previous topic that both of us were active in. I do not remember which one at the moment.

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by Hotspring 44:

BTW this topic was specifically addressed by me in a previous topic that both of us were active in. I do not remember which one at the moment.

---

Hmm... I must not have taken note of that before. Maybe because I wasn't a farm worker back then. Thanks for the terrible news....:wink:

Quote:

---

Posted in reply to the post by someguy:

Hmm... I must not have taken note of that before. Maybe because I wasn't a farm worker back then. Thanks for the terrible news....:wink:

---

:adhd:Oops! My mistake, (the links and text in reference to piecework and minimum-wage regarding farm labor) was in a thread called Need a job? Of which was started by Thad.
Specifically, number 6 on that thread: https://www.waccobb.net/forums/showt...965#post116965

I do recall at some point in time I did put the link leading to that post, as shown above on another post that I made in a conversation, which (I think?) you were in. That is probably what I (almost?) remembered. But after looking at all of the posts in the “Need a job? thread, I realized that you did not post in any of that whole thread.

I'm sorry, the news is so “terrible” but you're welcome anyway.