By: Diane Benjamin
The Bloomington City Council appears to want illegal immigrants and undocumented people welcomed here. Most weren’t fazed by Chief Heffner’s statement that passage would make it less safe for legal citizens. https://blnnews.com/2017/12/18/welcoming-ordinance-tonight/
I’ve wondered ever since how these people are supporting themselves. It’s illegal to hire anyone who is undocumented, the welcoming ordinance isn’t going to change federal law. The Council could be guilty of harboring illegals if they pass it.
Here’s a recap of the law: https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/penalties-for-employers-hiring-illegal-immigrants.html
What Are the Penalties for Hiring an Illegal Immigrant?
Hiring illegal immigrants can lead to many severe penalties, such as:
- Criminal and civil fines
- Loss of business licenses
Most fines are broken down to the following:
- First offenders can be fined $250-$2,000 per illegal employee.
- For a second offense, the fine is $2,000-$5,000 per illegal employee.
- Three or more offenses can cost an employer $3000-$10,000 per illegal employee. A pattern of knowingly employing illegal immigrants can mean extra fines and up to six months in jail for an employer.
This does not include “harboring” illegal immigrants, or employing ten or more illegal immigrants in one year. Harboring an illegal immigrant can lead to ten years of prison time.
Since it’s illegal to hire anyone who is undocumented, how are the undocumented here supporting themselves? Are employers willing to risk the above penalties? Are taxpayers supporting them? In Illinois, receiving benefits from the government is possible – especially if children are involved: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/government-benefits-immigrants
There’s more!
There is a non-profit locally called The Immigration Project: http://www.immigrationproject.org/
I found the 2015 tax return they filed: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431700482/201523209349300837/IRS990
Part VIII shows this:
They receive taxpayer money!
Your tax dollars are being used to help the undocumented even though the law has severe penalties for hiring or harboring them.
Both Republican and Democrats created this ridiculous system. Undocumented persons are handed benefits they didn’t earn while being told they can’t legally earn anything.
What other country allows this nonsense?
Is the Council silly enough to make it worse by handcuffing law enforcement?
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Perfect! Bloomington is in decline with a dwindling population, a major employer shedding 100s likely 1,000s of jobs which will never come back, no creative class, and taxes and fees continuing to rise into perpetuity. With the Welcome Ordinance, we’ll have a liberal paradise resembling Detroit, Newark, and Baltimore. Glad I’m moving!
It is time for those supporting this ridiculous proposal to show their true colors. I want you to remove the front door on your house your door threshold will now be considered a border put a sign in your yard all those wishing to migrate can cross the border to my house we will house you feed you and pay for your healthcare. When your house becomes so overwhelmed with your new residents and your income can no longer support your lifestyle maybe you will think twice about your support of becoming a sanctuary city.
Perhaps a billboard on Veterans Parkway advertising “illegal-friendly” homes in Bloomington-Normal? It’s the new pink flamingo. 😉
Where is the money coming from? Is it in-kind or actual cash?
If you are talking about grants, it looks like cash.