STATEMENT BY JOE HANSEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UFCW ON THE INTRODUCTION OF IMMIGRATION REFORM!

[Omaha Steve]

No link.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: [e-mail]

STATEMENT BY JOE HANSEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS INTERNATIONAL UNION, ON THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM LEGISLATION BY CONGRESSMAN GUTIERREZ

Washington, DC — “The bill introduced today by Congressman Gutierrez and his colleagues would help create an immigration system that works for American workers.

“For too long, our nation’s immigration system has fueled exploitation, discrimination and abuse. It has allowed unscrupulous employers to drive down wages and working conditions in industries across the nation, while creating an underground economy where labor laws are shredded and workers are forced to toil in fear.

“This legislation charts a new course for our country. A course that protects workers, respects families and reflects our nation’s interests and our better instincts. It upholds our values as a nation of immigrants and embraces the vitality and diversity that are the fabric of a vibrant and strong society.

“The UFCW applauds Congressman Gutierrez and his colleagues for offering real solutions to address this important issue, and we look forward to working with him to make comprehensive immigration reform a reality.”

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The UFCW represents 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail, meatpacking, and food processing industries. President Hansen and the UFCW have been a leading national voice on immigration reform for more than a decade.

[Craftsman]

1. What about the jobs these illegals are taking from American workers?

[Omaha Steve]

2. Go after the employers

Heavy penalties.

[Craftsman]

3. Go after them both it is more efficient

[Omaha Steve]

4. 14 million illegals

We have seen over the last two years when the jobs for illegals disappear, they tend to go back where they came from. We know that thanks to the recession. If an employer saved $500 hiring an illegal, fine him $5,000 for each time it happened. We don't have the capacity for finding, holding, and transporting, or $ for 14 million people either.

[Craftsman]

5. We need to do both and finance it with the seized property of those that hire the illegals

Then give them long jail sentences to boot.

[Omaha Steve]

6. No problem there

Just so the majority of the effort is aimed at the illegal employers!