LatinaLista — This week’s Supreme Court decision to not charge undocumented immigrants with “aggravated identity theft” distinguishes between undocumented immigrants who use random false Social Security numbers for work purposes and criminals whose sole intent is to steal specific identities to rob unsuspecting people of their money or leave them holding the proverbial shopping bag as these thieves max out their victims’ credit cards.
Many critics of undocumented immigrants will not see the justice in this decision but it should be recognized that the Supreme Court would not have had to even render this judgment had it not been for the prior administration’s abuse of this specific law.
Last year, the Bush administration announced roundups of illegal immigrants at several workplaces. Most of those arrested were charged with possessing false documents and aggravated identity theft. For example, 389 workers were detained at a meat-packing plant in Iowa; two-thirds of them were charged with felony identity theft.
The federal strategy of threatening to charge people with a far more serious crime of aggravated identity theft achieved two goals: criminalized the immigrant which would make legal re-entry into the country practically impossible and if the undocumented worker was sufficiently intimidated by the prospect of going to jail, it meant that he/she accepted the government’s “generosity” in providing a speedy deportation.
It was a flagrant abuse of power that targeted the most defenseless people who reside in this country, regardless of legal status.
The Supreme Court ruling underscores that fact that there is a difference between real criminals and undocumented immigrants who just come to work. The ruling also signals that thankfully this nation is getting back to the roots of what made it great — using common sense.
Comment(8)
Liquidmicro
This whole outcome relies on the Prosecution proving “knowingly”. That the user “knowingly” knew the ID was someone elses and not a made up number.
What I find hypocritical on behalf of Pro Illegal Immigrant Advocates is the “knowingly” hired an “Illegal Immigrant”. You want the employer held accountable and not the “Illegal Immigrants” because you blame the employers. Until you advocates can be consistent with your ideals, you will always be looked at and referred to as hypocrites, unworthy of actual belief since you contradict your own statements.
MaryElizabeth
This is the best Immigration news I have seen for a long time. This change will protect many undocumented immigrants. The abuse of power used against the undocumented during the last years of the Bush administration was awful. It is a breath of fresh air to see positive CHANGE.
Hissy
I see this as great news too. It costs way too much to put the criminals in our jails…why not just let them out and send them home instead. They have been photographed and printed so they would have to be real idiots to come back illegally again.
Horace
To all you advocates for illegal aliens:
So it’s morally alright for illegal immigrants to show callous disregard for the possibility that they may be stealing someone’s identity? How noble! This ruling won’t win illegal aliens any friends. They’ll still be deportable and possibly be chargeable as misrepresenting themselves as authorized for seeking work. The I-9 form has a sworn statement, making the signer culpble for violation of federal law.
cookie
I see no reason for law breakers to be “protected”.
Horace
Marisa said: “Many critics of undocumented immigrants will not see the justice in this decision but it should be recognized that the Supreme Court would not have had to even render this judgment had it not been for the prior administration’s abuse of this specific law.”
Perhaps because they sympathize with the victim whose life is turned upside down due to damage to credit lines, Social Security disaster and income tax woes? Of course this means nothing to the willfully ignorant illegal alien and advocates callous to injuries to the victim. As a matter of fact, the advocates are contemptuos of any criticism of their constituents and advocate that the guilty go off scott free. Is is any wonder why these advocates are so hated? Where’s the justice for the innoncent victim of “accidental” identity theft?
Evelyn
I knew most of the Know Nothings wouldent understand this law!
This is the type people this law was intended for. Those who intended to use someones Id to make money and charge it to the owner of the ID.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4460349/
Texan123
So it does not matter if the immigrant comes illegally, steals a false identity, and also steals a job he has no right to have?
Do you people have no PRIDE? Is it ok to lie, cheat and steal, as long as you get what you want? I thought most illegals were people of faith. I guess it is all ok as long as you make it to confession?
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