When Did We Start This Policy? wrote on Mar 28, 2007 10:54 PM:"It's companies like Golden State that continue to contribute to the (illegal immigration) problem," Alexander told U.S. District Court Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz. "Make sure that these individuals know that violating the law is not something that is acceptable."

Golden State Fence Works to Ensure Legal Status of Employees wrote on Mar 28, 2007 10:56 PM:Maintaining a workforce that includes only citizens and legal residents of the United States is a challenge for all companies, especially those in the construction industry. Golden State Fence has taken a number of important steps to ensure that all its employees are legal residents. Since December 2005, Golden State Fence has voluntarily participated in the Basic Employment Verification Pilot program run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Through this program, all of our new employees are screened by the government to help verify their legal immigration status. Participation in the Basic Pilot Program has enabled Golden State Fence to verify the status of all new employees, while deterring those with fraudulent documents from applying for work.

MK wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:21 AM:"They said all of the company's employees, including undocumented workers, were well compensated ---- with salaries as high as $60,000, $70,000 or $100,000 a year ---- and benefits that included health insurance, life insurance and vacation time. The company also withheld income tax and paid Social Security for all of its employees, the attorneys said." What I wonder is.....How do you withhold income tax and Social Security on the employees that are undocumented???? Don't you have to have a valid social security number in order to have taxes withheld?? Sounds a bit strange.....

Note Bene: wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:15 AM:I hope other companies and corporations take note; similarly I hope that the firing of US Attorney Lam won't stop the investigation and prosecution of other corporate violators.

About Time wrote on Mar 29, 2007 5:13 AM:Two down, zillions to go.

Dubya wrote on Mar 29, 2007 5:28 AM:"In what may be the first case of its kind in the federal court in San Diego..." Now,what don't YOU understand about why illegal immigration is such an enormous problem after reading the first sentence in this article? These idiot Minutemen waste their time harrasing poor people at the border and the day-labor sites because they don't have the guts to confront the rich white men who entice the illegals to come here in the first place!!! And they have neither the courage nor the sense to hold their elected representatives accountable when they simply pay lip service to the problem and do absolutely nothing to ensure reasonable enforcement of existing immigration law. Why is the Basic Employment Verification Pilot program voluntary? With illegal immigrants currently comprising 5-10% of the US workforce, verification of residency status by the Fed Gov't should be MANDATORY for every job. Build fences, dig moats, hire all the Border Patrolmen you want but the plain and simple truth is that illegals wouldn't come here if it wasn't so easy for employers to hire them. There would be no problem with illegal immigration if the Feds simply enforced their own laws with respect to ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS. Stop bashing illegals and put the blame where it really belongs; on the cheaters who hire them and the politicians who simply look the other way.

Roberto wrote on Mar 29, 2007 5:37 AM:If they still have their business license then this punishment wasn't harsh enough.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Mar 29, 2007 6:47 AM:Many of these "undocumented migrants" (aka illegal aliens) are hard-working who just want to earn a living. Unfortunately, we can't continue to allow the flow of illegal immigration to our country. The statistics speak volumes on what it "costs" us as a nation. There's a cost and benefit to just about everything in life. While many people (and businesses like Golden State Fence) have benefitted from the cheap labor, the migrants have benefitted from being employed. However, the "cost" to us has been enormous. It "costs" us in the form of taxes for expenditures for everything from school programs to teach English Language Learners, welfare, public assistance, and health care. It costs us to criminally prosecute and incarcerate illegal aliens and their offspring who oftentimes commit a disproportionate amount of crime. The statistics and studies have proven time and time again that the cost far outweighs any benefit. It's time we put a stop to the practice of hiring illegal aliens and hire only citizens and those legally allowed to be here in this country.

Disgusted wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:10 AM:It seems that with large enough fines, Golden State finally has decided to obey the law!

Tom B. wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:13 AM:Well, maybe I won't fear seeing one of their trucks on the 15 freeway doing 95 anymore! PS - let that be a warning to you out there that are employing illegals, I'll be dialing the INS on my speed-dial if I think you are...

Bill wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:18 AM:Hurrah! At last our judicial system is working to rid our country of the criminals known as illegal aliens. If people would stop hiring the criminals, perhaps they would quit illegally entering our country. Duh!

not amused wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:21 AM:Yes they work so hard to determine the legal staus of their employees, that they pled guilty for their efforts? Sounds like they got caught fair and square...now who is next?

Don't be fooled... wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:23 AM:checking the legal status of someone is as easy as calling social security. It takes 10 minutes, and if the number they give you comes back different, you call INS. Simple. Employers must do due diligence, and that means more than just xeroxing their documents.

LadyM wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:44 AM:Where are the fines that should be imposed on companies like these that knowingly hire Illegal's. We must start hitting them where it hurts the most, In the Bank account!

Too bad wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:47 AM:Now we will have to pay for legally hired employees to build the border fence. That is going to cost way too much money.

Finally our government is applying the law wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:59 AM:After many many years of threats to employers not to hire illegals they have procescuted a company that did that. Thousands of businesses have reaped hugh profits by pay illegals minimum wage, zero benefits while charging top rates. The fines this company got are miniscule compared to the profits they reaped. All the owners have to do is sell one or two of the houses they purchased during the government contracts to pay the fines. The other houses they acquired they can keep.

Tiene Trabajo? wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:06 AM:Many illegal aliens in Escondido walk the neighborhoods soliciting day work. This is an underground economy. Dubya wants only workplace enforcement. In Escondido, the largest four employers are the two school districts, Palomar Medical Center, and the city (all government agencies). I doubt these 'rich white men' need to be confronted by the Minutemen for employing illegal aliens. No actions against employers will affect the underground economy where most illegal aliens work. Dubya knows this and is trying to divert efforts away from enforcement actions directed to the underground economy of the illegal aliens. Interior enforcement and sweeps are needed, and the government must step up to its responsibility.

Elsinore wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:13 AM:I need the exact numer to INS I have called before, and the illegals are still working at a local company here in town, how long does it take for INS to get them

Day Laborer Tax Cheats wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:17 AM:Day laborers would be classified as independent contractors under the IRS code. This means that each day labor is a 'sole proprietor' of a business, and must file a Schedule C and a Schedule SE (self-employment tax - over 12%).

Huh? wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:18 AM:Tom B. has INS on speed dial? lol! Get a life!

Still Looking wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:24 AM:I'm still looking for white workers - which is whom all these posts are crying over, this isn't about legality, it's about race - who are unemployed to line up along the street corner and sign up for jobs like fence building, or anything else that comes there way. No, white workers want a minimum wage, benefits, vacation time... blah, blah, blah. Roll up your sleeves and do whatever you have to do to put food on your table, and these jobs won't go to immigrants.

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:28 AM:I remember a math teacher telling us that you must always find the crux of a problem to solve it. Like Dubya (5:28 am) points out, it is the companies that hire illegals that are the crux of our problem. If GWB had any sense at all, he would go on national TV and say that the government will be strictly enforcing the law against hiring illegals. The exodus would be instantaneous. Now, how about all the construction and landscaping companies (that I can see out my window right now)?

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:31 AM:I do have a question. If these illegals were making 60,70 and 100k a year, why wasn't Golden State hiring U.S. Citizens? Would US Citizens make more than that? And, we're these illegals making a decent wage displacing US Citizens from those jobs? (sorry two questions, but it would be nice to know the answers)

Skiperooski wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:39 AM:It would be okay if the aliens were on the SOUTH side of the fence. Then when the fence is complete, they're already fenced out! We need more aliens working on the south side of the fence!

To Too bad wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:47 AM:I am sure that a lot of legal citizens would gladly build the border fence for free, I know I would!

A step in the right direction wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:50 AM:It's a good day when companies are held responsible for hiring illegals. They should face fines along with jail time. We ALSO need to enlist public schools in the fight. If illegals were not hired and their children were not ALLOWED to enroll in the public school system maybe, just maybe, they might consider coming here legally. Illegals are a burden on our society. They are a burden that we cannot financially afford. We need to impeach Bush and start holding our politicians accountable. After all, these people work for us. If they do not enforce the laws of our country they should be fired! We can no longer afford to look the other way. Schools and emergency rooms need to send illegals back to their homeland for education and medical care. Please don't sit on the sidelines anymore. Let your local policitian know your views. We need to take our government back, this ruling is a step in the right direction.

Lilathe wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:58 AM:The basic pilot program is a FREE simple easy to sign up for and use program that will check the status of all employees. (just google basic pilot program). Look it up, you can check your state and town to see who is signed up for it. Remember it is FREE. Yes, you might have a few false negatives because of how Latin Americans have two last names (mothers and fathers last name) and our system only accepts one. But the employee could be given 6 weeks to clear up anything simple like that. Or just simply check the number against BOTH last names (doh). There is no excuse for not using the basic pilot program. NONE.

to "Too bad" wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:03 AM:we wont need a fence if businesses don't hire them. no jobs = no northerly (illegal) migration. it starts and ends with businesses doing the right thing

Irony wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:28 AM:I heard that the 700-mile fence approved by Congress (between the U.S. and Mexico) will be built by companies like Golden State. See the irony. Lazy whites not only want a fence to keep the "illegals" out, but they also want the same "illegals" to built it.

mark wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:29 AM:i highly doubt they were paying any illegal laborer 100,000 like they said.

White Elephant in the Room wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:36 AM:What was the benefit to the fence company in hiring illegals in the first place? If they were well compensated, received health care, had state and federal taxes taken from their earnings and paid into social security, were these jobs that American's won't do? This case is embarrassing at least because certainly one of the 37 million Americans living in poverty surely could have been recruited for one of the positions held by illegals! This case exemplifies why the American people just don't buy the arguement by business that the illegals are just doing jobs that Americans won't.

Mark wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:37 AM:Can any of you, fine citizens, honestly tell me that these type of "strict enforcement" is truly practically and morally worth it? Do you notice? The article says "hiring illegal immigrants [to WORK].." On other ocasions ICE has raided factories where illegal immigrants were WORKING. See the trend here? They are working. This is what I call real Amerian hypocrisy. We want to have our cake and eat it too.

Michael of Carlsbad wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:41 AM:As far as illegal immigration is concern, we cannot arrest our way out. NCT could you tell us what happens to the American born children of these illegal workers. Oh wait, that would portray immigrants as humans not mere objects, thus not worth any compassion.

Sam wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:44 AM:This is a fluff story to make us all feel like the invasion is being managed. We have millions of racist invading violent reconquesta's to deal with, these 10+ invaders mean nothing.

American wrote on Mar 29, 2007 10:12 AM:Greg in Oceanside posted a well-written post, but I respectly disagree, particulary with "The statistics and studies have proven time and time again that the cost far outweighs any benefit." The statistics I have seen actually say quite the opposite. According to Professor George Borgas of Harvard University, illegal immigration has a short period cost to each tax paying family in the U.S.--in states such as Texas the cost is about $1,000 per year. "However, in the long run the effect is reversed once the immigrant starts working and paying taxes," said Borjas. Conventional wisdom would argue that most undocumented immigrants never pay taxes and merely leach off the rest of us. MK posted earlier that how could undocumented workers contribute towards Social Security if they are undocumented. On April 5, 2005, an article in the New York Times reported that there is a "suspense file" of several billion dollars--due to logistical setbacks, incorrect filings, or blank contributions. The last one is the key. Many contributions come from people whose numbers shouldn't exist. An official with the SSA commented that most of those contributions come from undocumented workers. That official was Mike Goss, the chief actuary for the SSA. The following is what he had to say: "Most immigration helps Social Security's finances, because new immigrants tend to be of working age and contribute more than they take from the system. A simulation by Social Security's actuaries found that if net immigration ran at 1.3 million a year instead of the 900,000 in their central assumption, the system's 75-year funding gap would narrow to 1.67 percent of total payroll, from 1.92 percent - savings that come out to half a trillion dollars, valued in today's money. Illegal immigrants help even more because they will never collect benefits. According to Mr. Goss, without the flow of payroll taxes from wages in the suspense file, the system's long-term funding hole over 75 years would be 10 percent deeper."

Ela wrote on Mar 29, 2007 10:38 AM:INS on speed dial?? Sounds like my neighbor!! How about the number to BORDER PATROL??...Hey, do they even have a BORDER PATROL anymore or are all of their officers corrupt? It seems that alot of illegals keep slipping through, or are they being LET THROUGH with a small bribe??

American woman wrote on Mar 29, 2007 10:58 AM:It seems like most of you readers just look at the header on the article. A lot of you make comments and ask questions that are clearly addressed within the article! To "Huh?" your ID perfectly describes your intelligence. You are part of the problem if you aren't part of the solution. INS is now known as ICE. Take a stroll through www.dhs.gov. Then, go to www.spp.gov, and Google NAU (North American Union). That assignment should be informative, as well as provocative for the average American. Gee, it's too bad Americans won't do the jobs that illegal aliens will do! Sixty to one-hundred thousand bucks + benes sounds pretty decent to me! Somehow, I doubt Melvin's claims. I would have answered THAT ad!!! Call me cynical, but these spotty raids and prosecutions are much too few and far between to seem like a genuine attempt at curbing employment of illegals! I could take I.C.E. to 15 or 20 businesses today who are hiring illegals, and that's just in my community! I have made several phone calls in the recent past. See what I mean? Sure, we are California, and we're bound to have more of a problem than other localities, but REALLY! I'm sure not impressed with a nation-wide, once-a-month raid and court case! Folks, this administration is NOT seriously addressing the crisis. Period. End of story. WE, THE PEOPLE are the ones who can make a difference, but the apathy in this country is thick as molasses! Take "Huh's?" word for it.

Thanks Lam wrote on Mar 29, 2007 11:32 AM:Carol Lam the US Attorney that got fired bought these charges. We had an Attorney that actually defended the people and prosecuted the bad guys and she got fired. I wonder what lap dog they will replace her with.

morty wrote on Mar 29, 2007 11:41 AM:TOO bad your rite. good thinking. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

To Sam wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:22 PM:If you're going to spit some venom do it properly is not "reconquesta", is reconquista. Sound like an everage redneck.

American wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:23 PM:Some of you are misinterpreting the text. The article never stated that undocumented workers earned $60,000-$100,000 per year. Rather, it states that some employee salaries reach "as high as" those figures. GSF is a multimillion dollar corporation. Naturally, the salaries of management and executive personnel would be enviable. I assure you the grunt work involved in fence building is not lucrative enough to merit that kind of annual salary.

We WANT MORE!!! wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:25 PM:Investigate the OTHER construction companies. The plastering contractors the drywall contractors and the roofing contracts!

MK the company wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:26 PM:withholds the money (although when they are married and claiming 9 it isn't alot) and sends it to the state and federal government. The IRS then notifies the employer that the name and number do not match but they KEEP the money.

morty wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:32 PM:hey everyone good news!, my son is thinking about joining the border patrol

R2 wrote on Mar 29, 2007 12:59 PM:In order to ensure that our government continues and INCREASES what they are doing, I propose that we give them a fair warning as to what to expect from us next election cycle. Our representatives got hit pretty hard over what we did in giving so many the boot. I think a good name for our future actions during the next election should be called "You're Outta Here." If they are not going to be actively participating in ridding our country of illegals (invaders), then "You're Outta Here."

Buzzing lawnmovers wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:30 PM:Okay, guess it's worth it and big news to go after huge companies, but what about the thousands of landscapers in unsafe trucks, hauling around ear-splitting lawn mowers, etc. on every street, in every neighborhood? How many of YOU hire these so you don't have to mow your own lawn? How many of you allow your little children near them? Did you do a background check? Do you pay them cash and get no receipt? How about your maid? Does she have legal status? Do you pay her social security to the government? This will go on forever as no one cares except where it will make big news. Mowing lawns. scrubbing your floors, these illegals (and the homeowner who employs them) make up the largest criminal element, not the big companies, though I'm not saying that's right, just bigger headlines. Okay, do everything to hire a legal immigrant, but could you please teach them or require them to know enough English to converse when there is a dangerous situation, like digging near a gas line? And where does their pay check go? Does it pay taxes here? Nah, they send it south of the border to feed their hungry family. They camp in our fields, so don't have to pay the mortgage, light bill, water bill, school taxes, or anything else. I'd like to see a story on one of our mayors or other reputable high profile citizens who knowingly right now, today, is having their home cleaned and lawn moved by a known illegal. It won't happen.

Huh? wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:44 PM:American woman has too much time on her hands too! lol!

To AMERICAN WOMAN wrote on Mar 29, 2007 1:48 PM:THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!You rule! Run for city council so we can get something done about this locally! You will have MY VOTE!

morty wrote on Mar 29, 2007 2:01 PM:#1to the 2 morty my son is in baily george. good luck with yours.

This is a Good Start... wrote on Mar 29, 2007 2:53 PM:When it is applied to ALL Companies, there will be a more Level Playing Field.

Luke wrote on Mar 29, 2007 3:52 PM:Kudos to the court for fining the fence company who line their pockets off of their customers while employing thugs whom nobody knows anything about. When I hire a fence company, I should not have to worry whether the workers will come back and burglarize my place a week or two later. An undocumented worker is precisely that. Someone that nobody knows anything about.

Skip wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:02 PM:This is the funniest quote I have read today >>> RE : Dozens arrested in Md. immigration raid >>>> " Having "illegal aliens working and having access to our ports is a major security vulnerability," said ICE field office director Calvin McCormick. "

Pudley, Esq. wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:04 PM:Now hear this. Hola! Y'all better learn to speak Spanish fluent and soon too! "Senators and lobbyists are putting the final touches on a comprehensive immigration-reform bill that includes an easier citizenship path for illegal aliens and weaker enforcement provisions than were in the highly criticized legislation that the Senate approved last year." From the Washington Times, 2-22-07. While you're at it, bone up on Mexican grub and things like that, cuz you'll need to know all kinds of new stuff! Pretty soon illegals will be legal. Que te vaya bien y adios.

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:04 PM:Today after I got dropped off from my Vanpool at Sam's Club, a Border Patrol Vehicle (Temecula) drove by and all work at the adjacent carwash came to an abrupt stop.

For a change satisfied wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:11 PM:Instead of hiring illegals hire the homeless Americans. Oh wait that would mean you'd have to give health care and pay decent wages and taxes for these employees.....Wow! Why don't we start taking care of our own first. HIRE A HOMELESS PERSON not an illegal. Remember they(illegals) chose to leave their country, our homeless are left behind by their country!!!!

Jail Time wrote on Mar 29, 2007 5:40 PM:Does anyone believe that they were paying undocumented employees between 60 to 100,000 a year and paying taxes and benefits? I thnk this corporation is still lying. I think they should do some jail time, they show no remorse or attempt to rehabilitate themselves.

Wesley wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:46 PM:"A LINE IN THE SAND" Iraq's Learn Spanish Before Crossing to America! Senator Mc Caul's Website: http://www.house.gov/mccaul/

CC wrote on Mar 29, 2007 7:51 PM:Remember awhile back when a large US company got prosecuted for knowingly hiring illegals? A huge number of Americans then tried to apply for the resulting job vacancies. But, that story quickly disappeared from the news. The reason this high-profile case is up now is to get big business lobbying for the immigration legislation that is currently being considered by the US Congress. This immigration legislation will hugely increase legal immigration and H1-B quotas. H1B jobs are generally technical jobs that are high paid and wanted by Americans. But, H1B visas allow foreigners to come here to compete for these jobs.

more of the same wrote on Mar 29, 2007 10:58 PM:Illegals are pouring into this country unobstructed and now the government is saying there are too many, we do not have facilities to hold them and politicians say lets have an immigration policy and make them legal! In my Texas area it is at the point that we are going to have to speak spanish to get a job, go grocery shopping or read a billboard, etc. There are more than 1 million immigrants entering our country LEGALLY each year. We do not need more!!

Dubya wrote on Mar 30, 2007 3:58 AM:Right on to Pudley, Esq. You definitely got the picture my man. The quickest easiest way to put an end to any illegal activity is to make it legal and that's exactly what that new immigration reform bill in the Senate aims to do. Guest worker backdoor amnesty has always been at the top of GWB's agenda and it really looked to me like he deliberately sabotaged his own party's 15 year majority in Congress in order to get enough Democrats elected to get McCain-Kennedy passed. The Dems now own the Senate and the House and Bush will sign the bill when it passes so it's pretty much a done deal. No sense arguing about illegal immigration anymore because it will soon be perfectly legal and immigrants and the next time you apply for a job you'll have to get in line behind all the immigrants. And when your employer gets the legal right to hire a foreign national don't be surprised if your own pay gets cut in half to force you out so he can classify your job as one "Americans won't do".

Kristie wrote on Mar 30, 2007 6:11 AM:If we have two million legal immigrants coming into this country each and every year why and the world do we need illegal immigrants on top of it? Construction is slowing. Who's going to get the jobs? Cash under the table illegals or citizens? Remember May 1 Boycott and how you got home from work in a reasonable time. Why are we spending more money to widen freeways when we just need to enforce immigration laws.

SteveHarmonica wrote on Apr 8, 2007 12:43 PM:The article reads, "Many of the company's former employees told agents that the company hired them despite knowing their immigration status did not authorize them to work, the plea agreement stated." Fixing the illegal immigration problems is as easy as granting greencards to undocumented workers that truthfully testify against illegal employers. No border fence required, just continuing sting operations initiated by employees.

Hayley wrote on May 29, 2007 7:49 AM:theres also the fact that they didnt know these people were illegal immigrants. their papers can look real, how are you suppossed to tell the diffrence between those fake papers and legitimate ones?

M. wrote on Nov 28, 2007 9:11 AM:... [They] did nothing but give these men jobs to support their families. I knew alot of men who worked at [his] yard especially and they were some of the most polite hard working men i've ever met. Im 16 years old and even i know right from wrong. These men are hard workers and we all know some stupid little white boys wont get up at 5 in the morning and work their butts off all day and do this everyday 6 days straight. All the fat lazy men out there, you know who you are, would never be able to hang with these men. A good man works even when he wakes up sick. So if you want to go and bad mouth [them] I want you all to try and do what they do... maybe if some of the lazy white kids who get everything handed to them in life would get up and go to work [he] wouldnt have to hire illegal immigrants. Oh and by the way I understand the fact that the law is the law and they both broke it... but all you mentally challenged people who tried to put [them] in jail, NEWSFLASH!!! You failed, they got 6 monthys house arrest which was so MUCH FUN because i got to see [him] all the time and I would go see [him] alot too! :) And they loved doing their 1,040 hours of community service because they helped even more people live and be stable. And for all of you who think these immigrants were paid poorly, YOUR WRONG TOO!!! In court, trust me I WAS THERE in the front row, [they] had every file and payroll record of everyman being paid completly fairly for their hours. And when Christopher Alexander said these men didnt get paid for every second they worked the entire even the judge laughed because they knew it was a bunch of bologna!!! So all of you who think what they did was wrong, take a look at our economy the immigrants are essential to it. None of you who live in southern California would have beautiful gates, fences, brick walls, and homes if it wasn't for these men. There is also a forecast for 2026 that there will be a shortage of 20 million workers in the U.S. government if we keep trying to kick out the hard working immigrants. Know your stories and the facts before you all run your mouths again! [Editor's note: Comments are to be anonymous, per our policy. Last names and identifying remarks are deleted.]