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Employers--partners or part of the problem?A lawn care business owner made a call to the talk show on AM radio. "I know some of my workers are illegal, but they gave me the correct documents. What can I do?" While that attitude seems a little like passing the buck, his argument does hold some water. With illegal immigration at unprecedented levels, employers often have a bullseye painted on their back. "If they just wouldn't hire illegal immigrants," the comment goes. But as with all issues, there's more to it than that. America was founded on opportunity. Our founding fathers, descendants of immigrants themselves, wanted our country to be a land where hard work led to success. Part of that success was an opportunity for business to flourish. So while business shouldn't be allowed to operate without regulation, prosperity for American business means prosperity for America. Some segments of business, many in agriculture, rely on immigrant workers. And often those business find themselves at the point of a double-edged sword. Governmental regulations require them to verify worker eligibility and identity. But if they go too far they can be sued for discrimination. Employers can volunteer for programs that help them identify social security numbers and match names to numbers. But they are not required to participate. And they certainly aren't required to pay to participate in a program that checks to see if that identity is being used elsewhere. It's obvious there needs to be a change. Employers should understand their role in the immigration issue. They are providing the opportunity that so many seek. But by doing so, they must also understand their responsibility. Those immigrant workers that provide good labor to them, also require more of the communities in which they live. They often don't understand or speak English, require medical services they can't afford, and have children who need to be educated. Employers should be required to fund part of this added burden to the community. Employers also have a responsibility to hire legal workers, however we cannot ask an employer to identify illegal workers, but then penalize them for discrimination if they do so vigorously. Employers should be required to participate in a program that identifies those who are providing false documents, but let's also provide an easier way for employers to report workers that are illegal. And when they do, someone should follow up and action should be taken. Don't regulate businesses out of business, but look to them as an ally in fighting the problems. By working together the government and American businesses could make giant steps toward curbing illegal immigration. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com. Date: 7/5/06
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