Illegal Immigration = Modern Slavery

It is shocking how many parallels one can draw between advocates of illegal immigration and advocates of slavery 150 years ago.

Today's quote comes from illegal immigration supporter Thomas Saenz, counsel to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Here's the issue: The latest version of the Bush-McCain-Kennedy illegal alien amnesty may include an amendment that would prevent cities from requiring private businesses (read, Home Depot) to build day laborer (read, illegal alien) hiring centers on their privately-owned land.

Cities like Los Angeles, which have been forcing private businesses to help with the hiring of illegal aliens, are unhappy with the proposal. They want to make sure that the illegal hiring of illegal aliens continues.

Here's what Saenz had to say: "This is quintessentially a local decision. There is no reason for the federal government to intervene."

Sound familiar?

State and local officials made the same argument about slavery decades ago. They argued that states should be able to decide for themselves whether slavery should continue; the feds should play no role.

Of course, we all know the outcome of that debate. But today, we have new advocates for cheap labor, big profits, and exploitation making the same arguments once again.

And now, cities are forcing businesses to comply with aiding and abetting illegal activity as a prerequisite of opening up shop. Companies like Home Depot must either build a hiring center on their premises or find some other way to assist employers in illegally hiring illegal aliens.

And I know personally that Home Depot execs are not happy. They've spoken with the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in an effort to figure out what legal alternatives they have. They don't want to play a role in illegal activity, but they do want to open businesses in these pro-illegal immigration cities.

Villaraigosa wrote a letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on this issue:

"We understand some companies may have expressed a concern to you about their financial liability. They might do well to consider their potential liability from injuries or accidents that could occur in their parking lots and driveways should a federal preemption leave it so workers would simply move in and around cars and customers to match up with those seeking their labor."

In other words, "if these businesses don't help employers break federal law, we'll make sure they get sued."

It is sad to see people who claim to be civil rights leaders work to undermine the rule of law in favor of exploitation.

"Los Angeles: Sun, sand, and slaves!"