Good Help Is So Hard To Find

The hypocrisy represented here is remarkable. The emphasis is mine:

Amid a number of bills filed in Texas that address the issue of illegal immigration, one, proposed by Republican state Rep. Debbie Riddle, stands out.

As proposed, House Bill 1202 would create tough state punishments for those who "intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly" hire an unauthorized immigrant. Violators could face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

But it is an exception included in the bill that is drawing attention. Those who hire unauthorized immigrants would be in violation of the law -- unless they are hiring a maid, a lawn caretaker or another house worker.

It is a tough immigration bill with a soft side that protects those who hire unauthorized immigrants "for the purpose of obtaining labor or other work to be performed exclusively or primarily at a single-family residence."

Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena, a Republican, said the exception is a wise one.

"With things as they are today, her bill will see a large segment of the Texas population in prison" if it passes without the exception, he said.

Yea, right – the exemption is because too many people will end up in jail. They want cheap, cheap, cheap labor and then cry foul when one of their workers needs to see a doctor or send their kid to school. This is nothing but worker exploitation to the advantage of financially well-off homeowners.

The tragedy, of course is that this is what flies as “immigration reform” at the state level these days.  Smoke and mirrors. Another bill recently filed in Texas would require police officers to ask every person they stop what their citizenship status is. I wonder if non-citizens who happen to be maids, gardeners and babysitters will get a pass when stopped. Don’t want anyone waiting around too long to have houses cleaned, weeds pulled or diapers changed.