Illegals Across America (for 062005)

(Another entry in an irregular series of items worth noting that I’ve come across [usually three in each post] about those in America illegally)
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ITEM 1. An idea whose time has come.

Wizbang on the efforts of Hudson, NH to enforce immigration law by charging illegals with trespassing. Absolutely brilliant.

ITEM 2. An idea that should never have seen the light of day, and should be repealed wherever it has gone into effect.

Having watched in-state tuition at Ohio schools go up at the rate of about 10% per year for the last 4 years, I can’t imagine a crazier idea than this: in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. What a complete slap in the face to taxpayers and to immigrants who have followed the rules to become citizens.

ITEM 3. An idea whose time should not have passed: Stopping employers who won’t verify Social Security numbers.

This 3 year-old entry is about how RICO laws traditionally used against organized crime can be used to rein in employers who don’t research Social Security Numbers and knowingly (who’s kidding who?) hire illegals at cut-rate wages. Question: Why isn’t this tactic being used more often, given that nearly every employer who should be checking isn’t doing so?

ITEM 3 UPDATE:

Good news from The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)–After a phone inquiry about progress on the RICO idea, I received this e-mail along with the court’s decision, which I will not burden you with (it’s a PDF):

(From Howard Foster) On June 9th, the 11th Circuit, based in Atlanta, issued its decision in this appeal. It upheld the plaintiffs’ claims under both the federal and Georgia RICO laws against the defendant (Mohawk), the nations’s second largest carpet manufacturer, for depressing wages by hiring illegal immigrants. I am delighted at this victory, which means these RICO claims have now been upheld in 4 federal appellate circuits comprising most of the nation.

Hear, hear.