Steve Bannon, a former advisor to the Trump White House, has recently called for a more assertive approach towards immigration enforcement, specifically targeting corporate America.
He advocates for increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the public arrest of CEOs who knowingly employ illegal workers.
During his show, "Bannon's War Room," Bannon expressed his frustration with policies that, in his view, incentivize illegal immigration. He cited Texas as a prime example of this issue.
"I keep saying this is why Id like to see more ICE raids, Kristi Noem, at businesses. And lets perp walk out a couple of CEOs and COOs that know that theyre hiring these people illegally," Bannon stated. He believes that the key to curbing illegal immigration is to eliminate the 'magnet' of job opportunities.
According to the Daily Caller, Bannon also emphasized the need for Republicans to support legislation that would empower local sheriffs and ICE agents. He expressed his disbelief at the fact that Texas still offers in-state tuition for illegal aliens. "In Texas, youre still paying for in-state tuition for illegal aliens. Suck on that for a second. How does that make you feel? All the hard work youve done," Bannon said.
He proposed a system where executives would receive two warnings for illegal hiring practices. However, a third offense would potentially lead to serious legal repercussions. "One of the key parts was it put CFOs and CEOs on the hook, I think, for civil and criminal penalties, and things got sorted out. Ive always said on this, they got to do that. The same thing for the illegal alien hiring," Bannon explained.
Bannon also dismissed the argument that illegal immigrants only take jobs that Americans refuse to do. He suggested that if wages were adjusted appropriately, Americans might be more willing to take these jobs. "And they say Oh, Steve, people dont want those jobs. Well, hey, lets get the wages right. And well see. If thats the case, then people can work out appropriate programs to work with that. But right now, its just chaos," Bannon said.
ICE has indeed been ramping up efforts to hold employers accountable for hiring illegal workers. Several companies have faced substantial penalties as a result. For example, Durable Inc., an Illinois-based aluminum products manufacturer, was fined over $329,000 after an investigation revealed that 92% of its workforce lacked legal authorization to work in the U.S.
Furthermore, Atrium Companies and Advanced Containment Systems Inc. each agreed to forfeit $2 million and implement revised immigration compliance programs after admitting to hiring unauthorized workers. These enforcement actions highlight the federal government's commitment to enforcing immigration laws and the significant consequences businesses face for noncompliance.
In a recent case, Ping Ping Zheng, owner of Kamiya 86 Asian Bistro in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to harboring illegal workers for commercial gain. The Department of Justice reported that Zheng provided these workers with rent-free housing, transportation between the residence and the restaurant, and paid them in cash without withholding taxes.
She now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, with sentencing pending. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential legal consequences for businesses that knowingly employ illegal workers.
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