Thursday, August 23, 2007

Bush hit over jobs for illegal workers.



If President Bush is serious about getting tough on U.S. employers who hire illegal aliens, he can start with his own administration, which employs thousands of unauthorized workers, says the top Republican on the House immigration subcommittee.

A 2006 audit showed federal, state and local governments are among the biggest employers of the half-million persons in the U.S. illegally using "non-work" Social Security numbers — numbers issued legally, but with specific instructions that the holders are not authorized to work in the U.S.

"Let's clean up our own house, let's especially clean up the federal employment of all those working for the federal government," said Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican and ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee.

The Social Security Administration used to, but no longer does, issue non-work numbers to legal aliens who were not authorized to work but needed a number to obtain a federal or state benefit or service. Still, hundreds of thousands of those immigrants used the numbers to get a job.

According to the 2006 audit by the Social Security inspector general, 17 of the 100 worst employers using employees with non-work numbers were government agencies: seven federal agencies, seven state agencies and three local governments. That means the government knows who those employees are, but usually does not go after them.

Earlier this month, Homeland Security and Commerce departments announced a new crackdown on illegal entry that includes stricter enforcement against employers. The departments said they will encourage businesses to use E-Verify to check employees' Social Security numbers, and said the federal government will write new rules requiring all private contractors and vendors that do business with it to use E-Verify.

Under current law, neither business nor federal agencies are required to use E-Verify, formerly known as the Basic Pilot Program.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

imagine that.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite pictures! But it should be the worst disaster in the world not just the US.
I am not suprised this administration is getting away with doing something illegal, nor is anyone at this point.

SP Biloxi said...

The Gerbil preaching two sides of his tongue. Reporters need to check the Gerbil's Crawford Ranch and his payroll check on how many undocumented workers has he hired and are currently working there.

Anonymous said...

I am sure he has his behind covered with fake IDs or something.