There is a simple and vital aspect of America’s strategies regarding undocumented workers, which is scarcely reported on but should be understood by anyone attempting to form an opinion on the subject. 

Nearly all legislation, and indeed nearly all debate on undocumented workers in America focuses on how to handle the undocumented workers themselves.  Employers of undocumented workers face scarcely any sanction for doing this.  This results in an incentive for employers to hire undocumented workers, as well as leverage for them to exploit those workers.  The harder the punishment for undocumented workers in America, the more leverage the employers have.  This gives employers power to drive wages down, violate worker safety laws, and engage in unfair practices.  It takes power from the working classes, whether they are documented or not.

All members of the working classes should fight for stronger punishment for companies or individuals hiring undocumented workers.  This is the policy, for example, which Switzerland follows.  It makes it extremely difficult to get work illegally as it simply is not worth the risk for the companies or individuals who might otherwise consider hiring an undocumented worker.    It’s cheaper than all the ridiculous crap the U.S. does to keep Mexicans out, and infringes less on our human and constitutional rights.

If you are wondering why American politicians don’t consider such solutions, you should ask yourself whose interests they are actually fighting for.