I've been following the media on the recent I.C.E. raids of Swift, and was compelled to put in my two cents worth. Here is an article about the effects of the raid on residents of Northern Utah, and opinion of some readers, and my response.
http://hjnews.townnews.com/articles/2006/12/21/news/news02.txt#blogcomments
Here are some other facts to consider about selective enforcement of immigration and employment laws. What charges is Swift facing? None. What will they pay in fines? $0. So, tell me, what is the incentive for Swift or other employers to follow the law, verify documents, treat workers with respect? None. I would be very surprised if Swift didn't continue to hire workers they suspected of being in the US "illegally." It is no loss to them to hire someone, withhold taxes from them, and then say, so sorry, when their status is revealed. Remember that only about 10% are facing identity theft charges. What was the documentation for the other 90%? Did Swift even check? The truth about "illegal" immigration is that it cuts both ways. What criticism do we raise against a manufacturer who decides to move off-shore, leaving hundreds of employees high and dry? None; sometimes we actually praise the employer for reducing their costs, to remain competitive. It's not just about competition; in many places it's about survival. If we praise companies for going off-shore in search of the lowest wages in the world, why do we not also praise the initiative of workers who move in search of higher or any wages? Is moving 30 miles from Mexico to San Diego really any different than moving, say, from Cache Valley to Salt Lake City? Corporations and capital are allowed to travel wherever they want, sometimes with the backing of the US government and military. Look at what Paul Bremer did in changing the Iraqi constitution to allow foreign ownership (and keeping of profits) of Iraqi businesses. We are fixated on the nationality of workers while we allow corporations to become stateless. Our laws about borders are arbitrary and punish workers, while allowing corporate elites to make higher and higher profits at worker expense. Look at your own paychecks and prospects for success over the past few decades, and compare with the skyrocketing salaries of CEOs. Are you getting ahead, or have you become content to allow yourself to become pawns, and to demonize fellow workers ?