Illegal Immigration

By Connie Pillich

Illegal immigration is a federal issue that touches Ohio in many ways. At the state level, we have the responsibility to enforce our wage and tax laws.

Ohio Republicans, including my opponent, talk big about illegal immigration, but haven't done anything. Immigration is an issue of the federal government. And our Republican politicians at the state level exploit the issue: they mislead and frighten the public with their claims about illegal immigrants and public benefits. They purposely misinform the citizens about the realities of the illegal immigrant presence here in Ohio. It is nothing more than race baiting.

I propose that we deal with the real issues and help business and employees:

a. Enact tough penalties for any employer who does not pay state taxes on every employee + regardless of immigration status.

b. Enact tough anti-trafficking-in-persons legislation.

c. Enforce prevailing wage laws and raise the minimum wage.

d. Make it easier for businesses to pay taxes for all of their business by making tax deadlines and payroll related items due on uniform dates in line with federal filing dates and all on a single form.

e. Work to make health care plans affordable for small businesses, because often times US citizens forego taking unskilled jobs where benefits are not offered.

f. Better educate and train Ohio's young people to work in "unskilled" but demanding jobs

g. Keep Ohioans off drugs!

h. Set up sister-state programs (and involve labor unions) that are meaningful with the states in Mexico, Guatemala, Nigeria, Mauritania, and other countries in order to curb the need for those citizens to come to the US.

i. Enforce state laws, not federal laws, thereby curbing crime in our communities. By enforcing state laws, we can encourage all people, including immigrants, to report crimes to authorities. By threatening deportation to all who exist in our state, many immigrants (both legal and illegal) are fearful of reporting crime. This makes our entire community more dangerous. It forces the illegal immigrants into an underground economy -- about which we know nothing. We would be better off knowing about this economy in an open society. And, we would be better able to enforce state laws in that type of society. At the same time, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency would be better able to enforce its duties.

j. Encourage all employees in Ohio to report violations of wage and tax laws to law enforcement.

My opponent has no plan, but his Republican party suggests tactics that would send the US into a third world system, create a vast economic underground, ensure that many crimes would go unreported (because immigrants would be afraid to report anything to police), and do nothing to help our small and large businesses. My plan offers sound solutions for business owners who need employees and are willing to pay good wages, but who cannot find workers. The Republicans and my opponent are out of touch, but manipulating and misleading in order to try to get votes. How shameful!