Illegal immigration not going away as an issue

Government action doesn’t take a break just because it’s a holiday. On Good Friday the Bush Administration took action to deal with a legal challenge to a crackdown on American businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

The aim of the administration is to advise 140,000 businesses – many in Missouri – that they must address questions about Social Security numbers and the legal identities of their employees … or fire those employees within 90 days.

This plan to send letters to businesses was challenged by a coalition of strange bedfellows including the AFL-CIO, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Civil Liberties Union. Their concerns range from workplace disruptions to discrimination against legal workers. The coalition convinced a federal judge in San Francisco to put the brakes on implementation of the plan.

Friday’s proposal tweaks the administration’s initial plan, but the administration hopes the changes will satisfy the judge’s concerns over workers’ rights and costs to businesses.

Why might this be a big deal in Missouri? The General Assembly is dealing with a number of bills addressing issues about illegal immigration and the costs associated with it. Labor, businesses, and civil rights groups have voiced concerns that have been expressed by those who challenged the Bush Administration in court.

On a related note: Just last month a federal judge ruled in favor of Valley Park’s ordinance penalizing businesses that hire illegals. In so doing, the judge ruled Valley Park’s law does not discriminate and does not violate due-process rights.

Heading into the final eight weeks of the legislative session we'll be watching to see which, if any, of the more than a dozen bills dealing with illegal immigration get passed and signed by Governor Blunt ... then we'll wait for the legal challenges that are bound to follow.

- Steve Walsh