Rep. Steve King Challenges Obama's WORKSITE NON-ENFORCEMENT

Rep. Steve King Challenges Obama Administration on Worksite Enforcement

Created 05/06/2010 - 2:32p

Ranking Member of the House Immigration Subcommittee Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) is challenging the Obama Administration for its handling of worksite enforcement. In an op-ed released by Rep. King's office, the Congressman said the Administration is doing little to help America's unemployed and underemployed by not cracking down on illegal workers.

Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 14:32
Ranking Member of the House Immigration Subcommittee Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) is challenging the Obama Administration for its handling of worksite enforcement. In an op-ed released by Rep. King's office, the Congressman said the Administration is doing little to help America's unemployed and underemployed by not cracking down on illegal workers.

Rep. King highlights an incident from the winter when Immigration Enforcement agents stopped 65 illegal aliens who were on their way to clear snow at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, and instead of detaining the illegal aliens, the agents set them up with court dates and then drove them to the stadium.

"Not only does the Obama Administration refuse to enforce immigration laws against illegal workers, it is actively aiding and abetting law-breakers with a 'catch and drive them to work' policy for illegal immigrants. Most Americans have to get to work on their own. . .

"While President Obama tours the country claiming he is creating and saving jobs, his administration refuses to consider the most obvious job creation solution: enforcing laws that reduce the number of illegal immigrants holding American jobs. The impact of illegal immigration on American workers is devastating."

To combat employers who hire illegal workers, Rep. King has introduced H.R.3580, Illegal Deduction Elimination Act, which prevents employers from deducting wages for illegal workers, and instead punishes them with a tax liability.

"New IDEA would immediately reduce America's unemployment and result in the hiring of millions of unemployed Americans. It is a violation of federal law for an illegal immigrant to work without authorization. But millions do. The New IDEA Act will crack down on employers and illegal workers and level the playing field for law-abiding American employers and employees. . .

"President Obama now has the answer to the jobs problem. He could create eight million jobs for citizens and legal workers simply by enforcing immigration laws already in place and supporting New IDEA.

"The ride illegal immigrants should be getting from federal law enforcement officers is not a ride to work - it should be a one-way trip to their home country. By doing the opposite, the President is stacking the deck against unemployed Americans at arguably the worst time in history."