So Weiner Went—Now Can We Please Talk About E-Verify?
06/20/2011
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[See also Immigration Patriots Divided Over Lamar Smith E-Verify Bill]

Remember that old song from Guys and Dolls with the line "I'll tell you what's in the Daily News, it's a story about a guy", etc.   Well, this time a tale about several girls, a pregnant high profile wife and a real Weiner!  This story had the sort of meat which can enliven and enrage, leaving no stone of sordid information unturned, no talking head without a chance to "inform" us poor benighted listeners about the fine points of the miscreant.  Yes, including photos.

Ok, I rest my case exhausted.  At 2 PM on Thursday June 16, Congressman Weiner made his exit speech, which promptly lost all prominence on CNN.  

My only point:  Will our MSM now give equal time to E-verify—a most important step which could really begin ending the continuing illegal immigration invasion?

Here's just one more recent example of MSM obfuscation: The Wall Street Journal's page 6 June 16th story by Miriam Jordan, "More 'Silent Raids' Over Immigration" made the now-routine claim of increased enforcement under Obama:

"The Obama administration intensified a crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants, notifying another 1,000 companies in all 50 states Wednesday the government plans to inspect their hiring records.

 

"Businesses across the U.S. that rely on low-skilled labor are working to stave off Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits, which can lead to the loss of large numbers of employees, reduced productivity and legal expenses.

 

"Wednesday's surge in so-called silent raids drew criticism from both the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and immigrant advocates."  

Aaaaah, tough!

That the US Chamber complained is encouraging and screams from the likes of LuLAC, and La Raza are pro-forma.

However, the WSJ's Jordan goes to great pains in her piece to offer all the possible arguments for not doing the only essential next step before briefly mentioning what it is in the next to last paragraph.  Examples:

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the past has refrained from making public comments about the audits. But on Wednesday, Randy Johnson, a senior vice president, said: 'We are concerned the audits are being based more on a fishing expedition than firm facts.'

 

"He added, 'Because these audits can cost millions of dollars in lost productivity and attorneys' fees, the government should move carefully and only when based on solid foundation that there is in fact illegal behavior.' ICE doesn't reveal its criteria for deciding who gets audited."

Hey, perhaps obeying the law by only hiring legal workers would be smarter?

But finally, we get to the obvious nub of my argument.  The WSJ's Jordan really has no choice but to mention the best way to begin solving our alien invasion problem.  But not before quoting a partisan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (a.k.a. amnesty):

 "Peter Schey, [Email him] an attorney for American Apparel, called it "a senseless policy in the name of making a down payment on comprehensive immigration policy."

 

"Foes of illegal immigration, such as House Judiciary chairman Lamar Smith (R., Texas), say the audits are ineffectual because they don't result in deportations and enable dismissed illegal workers to find other jobs and displace Americans.

 

"Rep. Smith introduced legislation this week to make mandatory the use of E-Verify, an electronic database run by the government, which checks the work-eligibility of hires."

Then, of course, Jordan ends her piece with a slap at E-Verify, which has proven so effective in allowing employers to avoid the hassle of hiring illegal aliens:

"Wendy Madden, [Email her]a business immigration attorney in Montgomery, Ala., said several of her clients, in utilities and food production, had received notices of inspection from ICE, and were surprised because they have been participating in E-Verify. 'The fact you participate in E-Verify doesn't mean you won't be audited,' she said."

Agri-business may require a new bracero program—but, again, not one where workers are escorted by the Mexican drug cartels that now control much of our southern border.

Resistance to making E Verify permanent remains a Number One priority for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the US Chamber Of Commerce, and all those businesses who benefit from cheap labor imports. 

It is time for our benighted Congress to do the right thing, the proven thing, the smart thing for our future and enact E verify. 

Hey, no excuse left since the major distraction of recent days, Mr. Weiner, has left. 

Go do it.

Donald A. Collins [email him], is a freelance writer living in Washington DC and a former long time member of the board of FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform. His views are his own.

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