Editorial Calls for Reform

The Seattle Times calls for comprehensive immigration reform:

“Among the frustrations about this week’s arrest of 51 illegal immigrant workers at two Auburn warehouses is that so far only the employees are facing consequences.

The operator, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, and hiring contractor Spherion have not been charged, which is especially troubling considering the sites were U.S. Customs-bonded warehouses requiring higher security. To gain access, a bad actor could threaten to expose a worker’s illegal status. A federal spokeswoman said the investigation is still ongoing. We are for enforcement of the laws on the books, but that is only part of the solution to the impossibly tangled immigration system that has permitted — no, fostered — an underground economy reliant on illegal workers. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased enforcement. In the last fiscal year, ICE made 718 criminal arrests in work-site enforcement cases — up from only 25 in 2002. That is not even a drop in the bucket considering the 11 million illegal immigrants believed to be living and working in the United States.” Click here for the rest of the editorial.

bh