Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) says that illegal aliens must pay back taxes. Most Americans would agree with that.
However, Hatch doesn't call for employers who hire illegal aliens under the table to pay back taxes. Almost all Americans would disagree with that.
Here is what Hatch is quoted as saying about illegal aliens paying back taxes:
What we are talking about is a basic fairness that those wanting to become American citizens have to play by the rules, just as Americans do today. Who can argue against ensuring that these [illegal] immigrants pay their back taxes?
Here is what Hatch does not say:
What we are talking about is a basic fairness that those hiring illegal aliens off the books have to play by the rules, just as honest employers do today. Who can argue against ensuring that employers of illegal aliens pay their back taxes?
Hatch is also quoted as saying this about illegal aliens paying back taxes:
All we are saying is get right with our government. I don't want to treat them any differently. I just want them to realize there is a responsibility in being a U.S. citizen. That helps get us votes here in the Senate and especially in the House.
Here is what Hatch does not say:
All we are saying is that employers of illegal aliens must get right with our government. I don't want to treat them any differently. I just want them to realize there is a responsibility in being a U.S. citizen. That helps get us votes here in the Senate and especially in the House.
And finally, here is what Hatch is quoted as saying about illegal aliens and back taxes:
I don't have a desire to gouge anybody. Their obligation is to perform like our citizens have to. Why would we expect less from those who really have not played by the rules?
And finally, here is what Hatch does not say:
I don't have a desire to gouge any employers of illegal aliens. Their obligation is to perform like businesses who don't hire illegal aliens do. Why would we expect less from those who really have not played by the rules?
So there you have it. Sen. Hatch would justifiably require illegal aliens to pay back taxes while at the same time unjustifiably grant employers of illegal aliens amnesty from their unpaid taxes.
Isn't it time that someone in the Senate holds employers accountable for their role in creating the illegal immigration mess that the country now faces rather than rewarding them for their illegal actions?