Friday, April 18, 2008

snitch on illegal immigrants?

rappers

should we get paid to turn them in?

a proposal at the rhode island statehouse would share any fines against employers of illegal workers, with the person who informed on the law breakers.  the idea of a virtual bounty for turning in illegal workers, got rappers thinking.  here are their ruminations.  add yours at the end.

YES YES YES.  Employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants (at lower wages and no taxes) do not support the government nor the state.  So the tattler would be making a profit instead of the business owner.  Hip Hip horary.  Joyce

I am a first time respondent.  I don’t believe “a bounty” should be paid to anyone.  If the racist political machine of Rhode Island wants to find these illegals they should have to take the time to search for them.  This is just another example of the racists in the state house attempting to pit everyone against one another!  The same way they fought against the Narraganset Indian Casino pitting everyone they could against the tribe.
B.W.

Absolutely not!!  Giving a portion of fines collected to those who “rat out” illegal immigrants would be tantamount to condoning vigilantism.
The situation in RI is bad enough now with undue suspicion being leveled at anyone who may seem “different” for any number of reasons.
We need to take a breath and consider more reasonable solutions to deal with this very complex issue.  There are no easy answers to this problem.
Angela R, Warwick

Yes, I think there should be a bounty paid but I also think that there should be a punishment for people that just want to harass hard working, non english speaking citizens.  How can anyone really tell these days who is legal and who is illegal.  Another idea is to give drug tests to all welfare recipients.  That could save us a lot of money.  Imagine no illegals AND money for people that need it.  hmmmmmm, that’s just crazy now.
Bonnie, Pawtucket

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly that a bounty be set in place. It’s about time we cleaned out our state, since it seems the Feds only want to debate the issue, and/or grant an amnesty. Look in any dictionary, and the word ILLEGAL is generally defined as ‘Contrary to established laws.’ If used with the word Drugs, possession of, use of, is a criminal act. Where does the meaning change when describing an Immigrant who has not entered this country by the standards that all previous immigrants have had to adhere by?
Food for thought.
Bill

Would I give some one up for being illegal, yes.  I have been job hunting for a while, and am a bit older.  Most jobs want bi-lingual, Spanish. 
I want a job, I want my kids who pay taxes to have a job.  I don’t want to pay to educate an illegal person, I don’t want to pay for the hospital fee, or a translator for someone who can’t be bothered to learn the hosting country’s language.  I am tired of paying for lazy people, if you want to live legally, in this country, learn to speak the language, pay your way. 
That’s the “American Way”, we also fly one flag! 
Pam, Warwick

yes, there definitely should be. The majority of illegals in RI are getting a lot for free (welfare, food stamps, low income housing) from us legal tax payers. having a bounty for employers or any one for that matter would definitely get many people to turn illegals in.  If they want to be here they should do it the right way and learn our language.
Wilfred A

No, On top of Racial Profiling we will now have Vigilante Justice.  This is not right and should be stopped.
Illegals should be handled by the Feds, Not RI State troopers and Local PDs.  Now on top of that you have people dropping dimes all over the place so maybe they can make money.
The sad truth is that Business owners have a strict set of rules they must go by when hiring and can only go so far without infringing on people’s rights. So, the idiots on Smith Hill want to punish innocent business owners because someone might not be legal.
Reminds me kind of like the Witch Hunts in colonial New England.
Makes me so proud to live in this state.  this Gov needs to get back to trying to figure out how to deal with the budget mess that he and the fools on Smith Hill have created.
Judith

Try this on for size. Obey the laws of the United States and the State of Rhode Island because that’s what responsible citizenship is about. Bounties aren’t desirable as an underlying premise for good or responsible behavior. It would also be refreshing if elected officials and their subordinates carry out their constitutional and statutory oaths to execute the laws. That means all of them. Even those with which they are not in agreement. If they can’t find their way to do that, they should seek other lines of work, period. Meanwhile, why don’t you poll whether or not Rhode Island residents want the immigration laws enforced? Afraid that most residents don’t agree with your biases? Too bad!
Binyamin E

Absolutely! There are rewards given for tipsters for reporting on other criminals – illegal immigrants are criminals. The bleeding heart liberals will undoubtedly say the illegal immigrants aren’t hurting anyone, but they are. Their presence and failure to pay taxes causes a larger strain on our already overburdened budget. They should come to the United States the right way…or not at all.
Tammy C, West Warwick

I’m one of the state employees who is on King Don’s “B” lay-off list, which where postponed to June, I got an idea perhaps he’ll hire me back as bounty hunter, through Smart Staffing!!!!!!!!!!
Wyatt Earp

Oh God no! Where as I do not agree with people being here illegally this is not the way to go about it. The first thing that came to mind when I read that question was Hitler Germany and neighbors turning in neighbors to survive. This whole thing is going to end up making victims out of the illegal aliens. They will be afraid to contact the police if they are a victim of a crime which to some people will make them easy targets. Hey, let get them. they won’t report it kind of thing.
Yes crack down on the employer’s that hire them but having the local police enforce this is the wrong way to go about it. Turning neighbor against neighbor is just wrong.
Gagnet

Absolutely!  Illegal is Illegal no matter what race, creed or ...... !  Need we say more?
‘Tired of paying people who break the law’
Ann-Marie
No Bounty.  Concerned citizens should do this without a bounty.  All police should do their job and turn illegal immigrants over to immigration officials for deportation. Immigration officials should deport them ASAP.
Also, police/court system should notify immigration if someone that is here with a green card commits and is convicted of a felony.  These immigrants are supposed to lose their privilege of being in the USA as soon as they commit a crime.  Who’s checking on these folks I wonder.  All of us are paying the price for these criminals too.  We are the victims of the crime and then we get to pay for their jail time or their probation and they don’t get deported.  We can spot a Taliban fighter from a drone but we can’t seem to find criminals right in front of us.
Kelli, South County

I am still amazed that logic on this issue seems to be non existent. I spent my life trying to obey the laws of this country, state and locally, the word “illegal” seems to be selective depending on who you are.
As for paying a “bounty” for reporting illegals, why reward anyone for obeying the laws or reporting law breakers. Its a sorry state of affairs when people who DO obey the laws are made to feel they are doing wrong by expecting the same from people who come into this country, state or locality.
MAS

What part of illegal doesn’t every one understand. It’s OK to call if you see a drunk driver! If your going to let illegals off, the next thing should be bank robbers and drug dealers. Or are they not illegal?
Sea Rap

Although I agree to harsh penalties against employers who hire illegal aliens; I certainly don’t want to reward someone for reporting the act. It should be done because it is the right thing to do.
Rene L.

Why should the state pay us to snitch? Whether we are supposed to turn in a person who is breaking the law or not, what’s next? Ten dollars for every stop-sign creeper? No thanks! 
Jeff, Pawtucket

I believe no rewards should be tendered to anyone “ratting out” another worker.  Too many people would use this avenue to make a buck and to advance themselves in the company workplace.  We deplored Hitler why should we be copycats.
Bob

While acknowledging that illegal immigration is a problem in which people hold deeply held convictions, one can’t help but be offended by the: “Are you broke?  Wanna make a fast buck?  Turn in that neighbor ya know is just some illegal alien!  That guy that got the promotion at work, ya know he’s not legal.  Right?  Yeah, make an easy $25!  Operators available 24/7.  Call now… “
No matter which side of this matter one happens to be on, this methodology will create far more problems than can be addressed.  What would the verification process be, and who would control that function?  Would those “Identified” be ousted within 48 hours, 72 maybe?  Where would they be held?  The list of logistics goes on, and with stretched police forces, and a decimated National Guard, would this function be “Outsourced”?
One can easily envision lines of people waiting, en masse, to be deported.  Many of the people identified, by neighbors and coworkers, principally, will be identified, not because they are known illegal aliens, but because they may be unliked or resented simply because they’re from another country.  McCarthyism returns- in 2008!  Whodathunkit! ?
Mark-Alan L, Providence

There is no homeland security with out border security !
Breeding an atmosphere of contempt with individuals that are coming across the border based on their race, rather then focusing on how they get through that border and how to reform that border system in a manner in which the border can be enforced in a humane and professional manner reveals how out of touch this administration is. Out of touch ? Nay they conspire to build a North American Union. The vehemently anti-labor party with its “free” markets, “free”
trade, free-floating currencies, deregulation, privatization, globalization, derivatives, hedge funds, private equity, wildcat mortgages and leverage-without-limit collateralized debt obligations
(CDOs) credit default swaps(CDS) and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) exotic “financial innovations” that are not regulated. Has gutted out the working class.
They’re even eyeing our pensions. Enriched beyond imagination with windfall profits while We lose our jobs, our homes, our sons in wars without end to protect their lifestyle they seek a scapegoat; a fascist gestapo system is being put in place.

A strong economy requires a strong workforce and an equitable distribution of wealth. When money is concentrated in the hands of the few, and the political system to the needs of its people; and the nation’s laws and institutions are shaped to reflect the ambitions of rich and powerful; That is not the American dream its a Ponzi scheme.

As long as the borders are not secured, illegals will keep coming. hold the administration responsible for its utter failure to keep them out.
Zuke

I live in the area of the country where whistle blowing is frequent.  There is no difference between a whistle-blower and a “tattler”.  If there is compensation for one, there should be for the other.
Grace, N.M.

I don’t think we should reward American citizens for doing what is expected of them. It is the responsibility of every American to report illegal activity. This is my country and I do not need rewards to help defend her. Thank You.
Lee L. Woonsocket

What is wrong with this country?  No I don’t believe anyone who rats out these illegals should get paid.  They are here illegally and should be thrown out asap.  Stop paying for their health coverage, their food, etc. Why are they given benefits when they should not be in this country?  THEY ARE ILLEGAL and should be treated as such.  What would happen to us US Citizens who wanted to get into their country?  This is unbelievable.
Kathy, Harrisville

I almost didn’t answer this one because I couldn’t decide if that was a good idea. I think the law already allows people who point out government corruption or tax fraud to share in the spoils, so this seems an extension of that.
However, encouraging people to snitch on their neighbors was a Nazi tactic.
Bill, Portsmouth