A story on cbsboston.com reports on a proposed bill that would result in jail time for any business owner that knowingly hires illegal immigrants. The bill, proposed by Ryan Fattman of Sutton, calls for a minimum of six months in jail if an employer is caught for a third time.
Fattman, according to the article, "said employers that hire illegal immigrants need to be held accountable."
While I agree there needs to be a tougher stance on illegal immigration, I don't agree with Representative Fattman's solution. Someone who hires someone who is in the country illegally should not be put in a place designed and reserved for murderers and rapists.
Instead, there is a better solution to deal with these scofflaws: impose fines and don't wait until the third offense to do it. Fining a business owner would get them where it hurts. It would also help raise money in a time where doing such a thing is difficult for Massachusetts. Impose a fine of $1,000 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second offense and $10,000 for the third offense. This is a more reasonable solution. You are bringing more money into the state and not wasting a jail cell or tax dollars on a non-violent offender.
Representative Fattman should amend his own bill and turn it into something that could truly help Massachusetts and its citizens.
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