BOYCOTT CHIPOTLE: JUST SAY ADIOS WITH YOUR WALLET!

When I work in Washington D.C. I use to sometimes get my lunch at a Chipotle restaurant on Wisconsin Ave. But, I won't stop there again or any of other Chipotle's anymore here's why:

"The hundreds of illegal immigrants recently fired from fast-growing burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc had a pretty good run when it came to job security.Not only did some get jobs with fake Social Security numbers and few questions about their immigration status, in some cases they actually told managers point-blank their papers were no good. And they often stayed on for years.Marta, an undocumented worker from Mexico, twice used false Social Security numbers to secure positions at the chain now being audited by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.She was hired with one false Social Security number in 2003 and rehired as a new employee a few years later under a different name with new, but still fake, number.
The second hire, in 2006, came after Marta told her bosses she needed to change her Social Security number because it belonged to someone else and had caused her mortgage application to fail."-Reuters

I'm not going to use my hard earned American dollars to support the corrupt corporate culture of Chipolte and reward their illegal hiring practices. They knew what they were doing. Chipolte made money by hiring cheap illegal immigrants instead of American workers who in these economic times need all the help they can get and that includes American teenagers who as the headlines often point out are finding it hard to find jobs in this economy too. So it's adios to Chipotle for me! The Chipolte motto is "Food with integrity"  but,  I guess that does not include ethical hiring practices! If they can't hire workers legally than I'll use my legal tender elsewhere. I hope others do the same.

OBAMANATION: No "E" in DHS enforcement!

From the Washington Post:
"Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has delayed a series of proposed immigration raids and other enforcement actions at U.S. workplaces in recent weeks, asking agents in her department to apply more scrutiny to the selection and investigation of targets as well as the timing of raids, federal officials said."

In other words slow down and cutback on enforcement. Now why would Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano try to delay and cutback on enforcement of our nation's laws?

"The raids have enraged Latino community and religious leaders, immigrant advocates and civil liberties groups important to the Democratic base, who have stepped up pressure on Obama to stop them."

Wuups there it is! So it's not really about enforcing U.S. laws and doing what's right for the country it's about doing what right for the Democratic Party. I wish the Obama administration would come to it's senses and understand that enforcement is not the problem when it comes to illegal immigration. It's the lack of enforcement that is the cause of the problem! Or as Leigh H. Winchell, the ICE special agent in charge in Seattle, wrote in an e-mail to his staff :

"You did nothing wrong and you did everything right," "I cannot control the politics that take place with these types of situations, but I can remind you that you are great servants of this country and this agency."

Mr. Leigh is spot on about the dedicated ICE agents. I wish I could say the same about Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and the Obama Administration.

Something ain't kosher in Iowa and at the New York Times

The embattled grey lady of newspapers the New York Times has had a series of articles about the immigration raids in May at a "kosher" meat packing plant in Iowa by Julia Preston. It illustrates some of the reasons why the paper is losing it's credibility when it comes to reporting the news. Here are some of the money quotes from today's article:

"POSTVILLE, Iowa — About 1,000 people, including Hispanic immigrants, Catholic clergy members, rabbis and activists, marched through the center of this farm town on Sunday and held a rally at the entrance to a kosher meatpacking plant that was raided in May by immigration authorities."

Hmmm, the usual pro illegal immigrant activists protesting. But, notice no mention of "illegal immigrants" in this first paragraph. I guess the immigration raid in May swept them all up. Yeah right! Why are these "activists" protesting anyway? Read on...

"The march was called to protest working conditions in the plant, owned by Agriprocessors Inc., and to call for Congressional legislation to give legal status to illegal immigrants"

Ah there it is. Everything was fine as long as the illegal immigrants were allowed to violate U.S. laws, commit identity theft and get paid above minimum wage. But, now that the laws are being enforced and the illegal immigrants are being caught it's time to give the illegal workers legal status. Huh?

You need to read until the last three paragraphs to get quotes from people who really know what the immigration raids where really all about.

“It’s a felony when you take someone’s identity, and we think that needs to be out there when you talk about the supposed injustices against undocumented workers,” said Susan Tully of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an organizer of the counterprotest."

Give the workers legal status after breaking our laws and committing felonies? I don't think so.

ICE making things hot.

I rejoice when I read stories about immigration raids by ICE like this one. Because it shows me that after years of inaction that the Federal Government may actually working to enforce our immigration laws. Here are some more of the money quotes:

"I like my job. I like my work. I like it here in Iowa," said Escobedo, 38, an illegal immigrant from Yescas, Mexico, who has raised his three children for 11 years in Postville. "Are they mad because I'm working?"

No stupido we are mad because you are working here illegally and because you have no respect for our laws. Why don't you go look and see how your Mexican government treats illegal workers.

"Half of the school system's 600 students were absent Tuesday, including 90 percent of Hispanic children, because their parents were arrested or in hiding."

And the problem is? Just think of the savings to local taxpayers if those here illegally no longer have to be educated on the U.S. taxpayers dime.

Eh tu New York Times

Speaking of liberal mainstream corporate media. This New York Times in a piece by Nina Bernstein plays the sympathy angle about recent immigration raids in Greenport Long Island that were aimed at gang members but, also picked up illegal immigrants in the sweep.

To which I say: And the problem is?

You don't have to look to far to see the bias of "The paper of record". The headline reads "Immigrant Workers Caught in Net Cast for Gangs " A little fact the Times editors seemed to have forgotten is that illegal immigrants are not supposed to be working in this country in the first place. But, the Times does not seem to let facts get in the way. Just like the law does not seem to stop the wealthy folks out in the east end of Long Island from hiring the illegals (or paying $10,000 for their bail). There is a priceless photo in the piece of Charlotte Gemmel and Maureen Sanders the "retirees" petting their dog and in the forground their illegal immigrant gardener they provided bail for. It is a photo over looking their gardens and water view property.

Speaking of jobs to fill...

With the crackdown on illegal immigrants and more importantly those that hire them the lobbyists for the corrupt businesses that hire illegals are running around that the sky is falling if U.S. enforces it's laws on illegal immigration.
But, some economists are not buying it. Here is a recent smackdown quote from Business Process Management:

"David Rosenberg is one of a number of economists who say the concerns about too few workers are vastly overblown. Rosenberg recently studied the issue and put out a report entitled Is There a Labor Shortage? If employers are having trouble filling jobs, "perhaps they're not looking hard enough," he says."

A wake up call for Michael Chertoff!

I was listening to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff yesterday on MSNBC's Morning Joe program. I thought Joe Scarborough let him off easy and allowed Chertoff to get away with his talking points without to much questioning. Like when Chertoff complained that in some cities where ICE conducted raids on illegal immigrant fugitives Chertoff got complaints from some of the mayors. People like Mayor Destefano of New Haven. Once again we have the head of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff crying that a few people like Mayor Destefano are complaining about that the Department of Homeland Security when it is actually doing it's job. Maybe the rest of us should start to complain to Mr. Chertoff too about how he should continue to do his job which is to protect the borders and enforce the immigration laws after neglecting it for so long. Maybe if he gets enough complaints he will realize that is why we are paying him. Here are some numbers for you to call at Homeland Security:

Citizen Line
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495


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Chertoff just shut up and do your job!

Cabinet officials were not so polite. As Bush was meeting with senators, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff adamantly defended the administration's record on border security. His department is on track to hire 18,000 additional Border Patrol agents and complete 370 miles of fencing along the southern border by the end of next year, he said. He added that a series of workplace raids in recent weeks has yielded more controversy among immigrant rights groups than praise from conservative critics.- Washington Post

Well, Mr. Chertoff as a United States taxpayer let me add my appreciation for the efforts of you and the Department of Homeland Security are doing in conducting raids to remove fugitive illegal aliens as happened recently in New Haven Connecticut. Let me further add that you just shut up and DO THE JOB YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO which is to stop the illegals from coming into the country in the first place and not push the Bush/McCain/Kennedy/Graham amnesty plan.

Fear and loathing in New Haven

Earlier this week the city of New Haven Connecticut officially started to condone law breaking by making New Haven a "Sanctuary City" for illegal immigrants and even offered them official cards so that they could use city services and conduct other business transactions. Two days later ICE officials conducted raids that resulted in the arrest of 31 illegal immigrants. New Haven's mayor DeStefano and those who support continued ignoring of U.S. Immigration laws where shocked that the ICE agents might actually enforce the laws that are written. Well, I was shocked too that Homeland Security is finally starting to enforce our laws. That is what is supposed to happen and this is the right way to do it. I agree with those who say we just can't round up twelve million illegals in this country overnight.But, these 12 million did not just come here overnight either. Many came in groups of ten, twenty etc.. or over stayed their visa's and that is how they should be arrested and deported. There are consequences for breaking our laws and the sympathy arguments by the pro illegal groups do not justify lack of respect for U.S. laws. Here is the money quote:

"There is truly no safe haven for fugitive aliens,' said Marc Raimondi, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that conducted the raid."

My sentiments exactly! There are millions of people currently outside of the country who would gladly come in LEGALLY to work and take the place of the illegals in places like New Haven if those in Washington would come up with the mechanism for them to do it. You don't have to and should not reward illegals here with amnesty. In the meantime enforce our immigration laws as ICE did in New Haven have this week. And what about those businesses that hired them? Yeah enforcment of our laws should raise the fear level of those who break them. Let's hope the Federal Government does more enforcment

The Democrats are still not listening to the American people!

The Democratic candidates still don't get it! This article in the Washington Times points out that the clueless Democratic candidates are still ignoring the concerns of many middle class voters on illegal immigration. The very people they want to have vote for them. Here are some of money quotes:
"Democratic candidates remain firmly behind legalization of most illegal aliens. Still, they are almost apologetic as they make their pitches."

Earth to Democratic candidates! You are running for office in a Republic you are supposed to listen to the people who will vote for you!

"You can be in front of a very, very rabid Democratic crowd, and there will be a lot of people in the room who do not agree with what I just said," former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina said earlier this month in a speech at the University of New Hampshire as he defended his support for legalization. "The very same people ... are strongly against the war and strongly for universal health care. So there is nowhere close to unanimity among Democrats about this issue."

Duh!

"Advisers to several candidates said privately that Mr. Richardson is in a good position to attack the other candidates on their support of building more fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. "

If Bill Richardson is in the best position on illegal immigration the Dems are in trouble. He shot himself in the foot when he called for a pardon for Elvira Arellano an illegal immigrant fugitive hiding in plain sight in a Chicago church. Richardson and the other Democrats had better start to realize that the American people want our immigration laws enforced and and don't want our U.S. politicians to surrender to the Mexican governments pro-illegal immigrant lobby. If they don't show that they can stand up and represent the wishes of the majority of the American people on illegal immigration. Democrats like myself will vote for someone who does!

Hypocrisy on Immigration? How about enforcement!

The latte licking liberals in the editorial offices of the Washington Post really made me laugh with today's editorial Hypocrisy on Immigration. They complain when the government does not do enough in situations like occurred at the Walter Reed Medical Center and now they complain when the government does the right thing and actually tries to enforce it's laws. Which happened last week when Immigration and Custom enforcement arrested 360 illegal immigrants working unlawfully in a leather goods factory. The real hypocrisy is elite liberal media outlets like the Washington Post editorial board who have no problem with illegals breaking U.S. laws for years. Meanwhile, the Post editorials remain silent about the costs of illegal immigrants in local communities and the burden on middle class tax payers who are forced to pay higher taxes to subsidize the illegal workforce with programs like WIC which are used by businesses that cater to the illegal immigrant population.

Bush speaks but still does not listen!

President Bush on his tour of Latin America stopped in Guatemala where he spoke on immigration issues. Here are some of the money quotes:

"The system needs to be fixed,"

No, Mr. President the laws need to be enforced and the borders secured and protected!

"The president's visit put him in the awkward position of defending tough new enforcement actions and expanded barriers along the southern U.S. border while assuring Latin Americans that he remains committed to not expelling from the United States most illegal immigrants. President Oscar Berger pressed him about recent deportations of Guatemalans that upset a country where 10 percent of its population has moved north of the Rio Grande.
"I'm sure they don't want to be sent home," Bush said during an appearance with Berger at the National Palace. "But nevertheless we enforce laws."

Enforce our laws? Like your are doing with convicted felons like Elvira Arellano?

While you were working...

While most Americans were working hard to meet expenses and to pay their taxes it seems some businesses and their workers were not...

"Three top executives of a janitorial service used by such national restaurant chains as Hard Rock Cafe and ESPN Zone face charges of tax evasion, fraud and harboring illegal immigrants, U.S. officials announced yesterday, after overnight raids in 18 states netted about 200 undocumented workers"<BCP NEWS MEDIA BIAS ALERT: aka illegal immigrants

"Commercial cleaning services are a $100 billion U.S. industry employing nearly 1 million workers across the private sector. According to prosecutors, RCI supervisors and about 155 on-site managers allegedly hired hundreds of workers since 1997 without job applications, W-4 tax withholding or I-9 employment eligibility forms, or W-2 wage and tax statements. The company recruited through word of mouth and advertisements at job fairs, festivals and in Spanish-language newspapers. In one case, an employee allegedly bought 20 phony green cards.

"The trio allegedly failed to pay $18.6 million in federal employment taxes on $54 million in custodial and grounds-keeping contracts between 2001 and 2005 at the chains, which also included House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Dave and Busters, Yard House and China Grill, U.S. officials said."

How many other businesses are breaking U.S. laws while hardworking middle class taxpayers work and play and pay by the rules?

How to read illegal immigration articles in the mainstream media!

Bias in covering the illegal immigration issue prevalent in the mainstream media. Here on Long Island Newsday is notorious in their biased coverage of the issue along with Cablevision's News 12 newschannel. Both of these corporate media outlets have a vested interest in the illegal immigrant population growing as they have interests in Spanish language media. The latest show of bias comes in today's Washington Post in an article written by Sylvia Moreno.

It starts with the headline: "Immigration Raid Leaves Texas Town a Skeleton" making it appear that enforcement of U.S. immigration laws is a bad thing.
It should have have read: "Raids Show Extent of Illegal Immigration Problem in U.S."

There are other signs of how big the problem regarding the influx of illegal immigrants into communities like Cactus Texas that are buried in the article. Like this little tidbit shoved down into paragraph ten:

"Some local officials recently said that 75 percent of the city's estimated 5,000 residents before the raid were illegal immigrants. Aguilar disputes that, saying it was only 15 percent."


If I were a legal resident in Cactus I would be concerned that even 15% of the residents were criminals who violated U.S. law. But, it turns out the Mr. Aguilar who tries to downplay the lower amount of illegal residents in his community is also the Mayor. In fact he was also an illegal immigrant himself at one time. But, thanks to the 1986 amnesty was granted citizenship and now also has a vested interest in keeping the illegal immigrant population in the town high . As this quote in paragraph eight shows:

"These are my people," said Aguilar, 50, who today owns the largest house in Cactus, a nearby 575-acre ranch, a laundromat and the town's only full-fledged grocery store. About half of his 26 rental units are empty now."

You need to read all the way down to paragraph thirteen to see why the raids occurred in the first place:

"But authorities charge that these immigrants had false identity documents, enabling them to get driver's licenses and jobs illegally, victimizing U.S. citizens and fueling the fraudulent document industry. Traffic stops or crime reports became confusing events in Cactus in recent years. Immigrants would offer two names, said former Cactus Police Chief Tim Turley. The had "el verdadero," as they called it -- the true name -- and their work name."

Translation these illegals where not only in the country illegally they also used identity theft to get jobs in the country. These are felony criminals in addition to being illegal immigrants. While people Mayor Aguilar chooses to look the other way and not enforce U.S. law and mainstream media outlets continue to downplay the problem it is up to the law abiding citizens of this country to say enough is enough and make people respect our laws including immigration by enforcing them.