Are undocumented workers a core Democratic value or just the American Way?

[reddread]

With so much effort directed at reforming laws and enlarging the pool of offshore outsourced talent,
what became of the once proud Labor planks of the Democratic Party?

As the rich grow obscenely richer, why do they utilize cheap labor to build their latest palaces?
is that the trickle I feel?

[KPN]

1. If the past 30 years are indicative, both!

[pampango]

2. I think a "core Democratic value" is reducing 'undocumented workers' by providing a path

to becoming "documented workers" (citizenship and/or legal status). If mass deportation or 'self-deportation' are not feasible or immoral, then this core Democratic value is the only effective way to deal with the problem.

republicans, of course, seem to not accept that mass deportation or 'self-deportation' are immoral or unworkable. Indeed, along with THE WALL, they seem to be the bedrock of their immigration policy.

[reddread]

3. policy?

when either party seeks to punish the lawbreakers who cause this problem,
maybe then.

its all BS smoke screen for the absolute power of greed.

[pampango]

8. "Obama holds record for cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers"

Obama holds record for cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers

Under Bush, workplace raids on factories and meatpacking plants received much attention. But after Obama took office, the Department of Homeland Security unveiled a new strategy and ditched the workplace raids, which also tended to punish employees, in favor of "paper raids" -- I-9 paperwork audits of employers to determine if they complied with employment eligibility verification laws.

The change was dramatic: the number of I-9 audits soared from 503 in 2008 to more than 8,000 in 2009.

Under Obama, ICE announced sanctions against major employers. That included a $1 million fine against Abercrombie and Fitch that grew out of an I-9 inspection and the termination of hundreds of workers at Chipotle restaurants.

In 2007, ICE arrested 92 employers, while in 2012 it arrested 240, according to ICE. Final orders -- rulings at the end of the case which show employers violated hiring rules -- also increased under Obama. In 2007, there were two final orders, while in 2012 there were 495.

Obama shifted away from Bush’s strategy of workplace raids and turned the focus on employers. Between 2008 and 2009, immigration audits soared from 503 to more than 8,000.

We rate this claim True.

http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2013/jul/03/debbie-wasserman-schultz/obama-holds-record-cracking-down-employers-who-hir/

[DefenseLawyer]

4. I'm all for undocumented people being integrated into the legitimate workforce

Not just because it's the fair and moral thing to do for people who are here, but because undocumented workers so easily exploited and as a result they drive down wages. I found it really curious that Sanders has taken a hit from some on the left for being against Guest Worker Programs and that he obviously felt the need politically to say he was only against them because they were exploitive. For me, I am against them for that reason but also because they drive down wages. I'm not sure how that got to be an "anti-immigrant" position, but it obviously has for some. I have no problem with immigrants coming here to work, but they need to be on the same footing as the legitimate workforce. There should be stiffer penalties for companies that hire undocumented workers at substandard wages. I don't find that to be controversial myself, but it seems to be.

[katsy]

5. Labor should be free to travel anywhere.

There should be a universal living wage enacted worldwide.

Free trade is fucking theft by the 1%ers unless the above served as a balance to greed.

Simple. Yes. Simple. Take the highest minimum wage in existence now... Apply it everywhere. Yes everywhere. Pay .50 more a head of lettuce. Who gives a shit when they can afford it. Everybody wins. Apply COLA annually.

The 1%ers just have their shit together better than us.

The Democratic Party needs to turn hard left and represent workers. Labor & capitalism are not mutually repellent as long as you regulate their behavior.

[Orsino]

6. Exploiting every worker is the American way.

Documentation is just a way around the worst of it.

[bemildred]

7. Cheap labor is the American Way. nt