Sample Letter 6
Click here to view a copy of my letter to President Bush. I urge you to send him a similar letter. Please ask every business owner you know to send a similar letter to the President.
| June 10, 2008 The President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Mr. President: I am writing to you on behalf of Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy to express our dismay and disappointment with your Executive Order of June 9, 2008, amending Executive Order 12898 and requiring all federal contractors to: use an electronic employment eligibility verification system designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security to verify the employment eligibility of: (i) all persons hired during the contract term by the contractor to perform employment duties within the United States; and (ii) all persons assigned by the contractor to perform work within the United States on the Federal contract. This order as written would appear to require federal contractors to use the E-Verify system to verify the employment status of any persons hired during the contract term and all persons assigned to work on the federal contracts (not simply new employees). It is also apparent that this order will only apply to new contracts, not current or existing contracts, but that remains to be seen. Mr. President, the stated purpose of this Order is to “promote economy and efficiency in Federal Government procurement.” It will do neither. The Order also suggests that its purpose is to enhance the “stability” and “dependability” of the workforce of federal contractors. It will do the opposite. Indeed, this Order seems to reflect a misunderstanding about the essential place "No Match" workers have in our economy and the intolerable position law-abiding employers now find themselves in due to the government’s inability to enforce border security. This Order will effectively eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of federal contractors from contention for government work. These employers have broken no laws. They are fully compliant with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s hiring guidelines as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They withhold federal and state taxes, provide benefits, and pay competitive wages. After more than 20 years of lax border security, and a vibrant U.S. economy, is it any wonder they have large percentages of so-called “No Match” workers? Depending on the trade, they have 30% to 80% “No Match.” Many of these “No Match” workers are immigrant workers and undoubtedly illegal, unbeknownst to their employers (who are legally prohibited from acting on any “no match” notice). As a result of this Order, many American citizens will find themselves without jobs as their employers become unable to commit to or bid on new federal contracts. The employers will also lose a tenured and trained workforce and be unable to replace them. In these days of economic uncertainty for our country, the rationale for this Order is difficult to grasp. The Order indicates that contractors with undocumented workers on their jobs “impose a direct risk of disruption, delay, and increased expense.” Yet, that is exactly what this Order guarantees for the future. Mr. President, please do what you know is right, retract this Order! You personally have the ability during your remaining time in office to motivate Congress to give America sensible immigration reform. Both Presidential candidates supported last Summer’s failed immigration effort. Yet, neither candidate is willing to talk about immigration reform! You are America's hero in the War on Terror. May God bless you for it! Mr. President, you are the only president to propose immigration reform in three consecutive State of the Union messages! I believe you are the only President ever to have addressed the nation from the Oval Office on immigration! Sensible Immigration Reform should be part of your domestic legacy! It is my hope you will actually get the opportunity to read this letter. It is my prayer that you will agree to press Congress to address Immigration reform now! The urgency for sensible immigration reform, is second only to national defense! May God move you to act on this issue! May God continue to bless America Sincerely, {your name here} |
Click here to view the PDF of my letter to the President.
Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy
P.O. Box 7011 · Houston, Texas 77248-7011 · 713.869.8346 · info@txsip.com
