A letter writer in Tuesday's MDJ posed the thought that he didn't see a problem with illegals working on government construction projects; just let locals compete. One problem with that thought is the math doesn't work. Illegals are paid in cash. Since they are here illegally, there is no record of them with the IRS, thus no threat of being hunted down and prosecuted for tax evasion. Then there are other costs like worker's compensation insurance the employer would have to pay on legal workers. As far as health insurance goes, illegals just head to the emergency room.
So if we add it up on a 160 hour month, an illegal worker might get $10 per hour in cash - $1,600. For the same take-home amount, a legal worker would cost the company $1,600 plus $320 in federal income tax, $96 in state income tax, about $160 in Workers Compensation, about $100 in Social Security from the employee and another $100 from the employer and $300 in health insurance. For the legal worker to take home the same $1,600, the company would have to shell out a total of $2,676! How does a legal worker compete?
There is another problem with illegal workers. Because they have not had to wait and prove themselves worthy of entering this country, they have little pride in being here and no intention of assimilating. They view our country as something to take advantage of, not something to contribute to. This is not inclusive of all illegals. However, we are kidding ourselves to think our country will survive if we encourage its dismantling from within.
We need citizens who love, honor and will defend our country and its principles. We do not need people who simply view our country as a collection of fools to be manipulated.
Jon Wilhoit
Marietta
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We are also subsidizing the employer's lack of worker compensation insurance. All the job injuries get free healthcare thanks to taxpayers, not through mandated workers comp. Since illegals are inexperienced, they do not know safety rules and regulations, and serious injuries occur frequently and are extremely costly, to taxpayers.
We are also supporting the children of these workers, unlike American citizens.
We need employers who follow the rule of law, and are severely fined as well as jailed when they do not.
1- including ALL employers - public & PRIVATE
2- penalties, fines, loss of business license
3-allocating funds for performing audits
4-assigning specific depts. & agencies for oversight & ENFORCEMET
5-making it a felony for giving any false information on affidavits or documents that could result in jail time
The lack of any CONSEQUENCES for breaking the law has resulted in companies continuing to employ illegals throughout the state!
ALL of these issues were throughly covered in South Carolina's Illegal Immigration Reform Act- Bill-4400 , that's why it's working in South Carolinaas they HAVE begun enforcement measures. After auditing 89 companies, they have fined 36 so far!
After contacting Sen. Rogers this week-end on said loop-holes, he stated there are 256 other legislatures that can introduce bills & he was working on OTHER issues now.
Georgia legislatures have IGNORED the American citizens while giving a wink & nod to illegal labor!!!!