Punish The EMPLOYERS!!!

In this never ending immigration debate, one thing that seems to be a real divide, especially among Republicans is whether or not employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens should be punished for it
Count me in the punish the employers bloc!
I almost always side with business because, like it or not, it is what drives America and makes it the leading economy in the world. It is why, among the Western industrialized nations we have the lowest unemployment as the president noted today. Also, the lowest tax burden and, most importantly, the highest upward mobility in the world.
But, it is this nagging issue of illegal aliens and so-called "guest workers" and "temporary employees" that does a lot to undermine the economy as a whole.
While the employer, and that includes the big business company, the mom-and-pop business and the people who hire day laborers, hires these people, by keeping them here under the current system, they undermine the long term growth and ability to have American citizens to enjoy the fruits of this growing economy.
While these illegals are here, if they get hurt on their job, the employer does not offer health insurance. Where do these people end up? At over burdenend and understaffed emergency rooms at the local hospital.
How about educating the children of these illegal aliens? The tax payer, which in California is the property owner. Hence, because we have essentially a two-tired system of haves and have nots, public education is not able to keep up and all students suffer.
What about when these illegal aliens break the law. We have to put them somewhere. So they end up in the jail system, and thus another burden on the taxpayer.
Also, do not think for a moment that because of their status that illegal aliens are not payed by and large under the table, thus off payrolls and then NOT paying taxes as proponents of "guest worker" programs claim.
These people do not live in the real world, or Southern California.
For the most part, these people and companies do not want things to change. A guest worker program would actually give those coming here to work the same employee rights as American citizens.
Thus, when Pedro says, when do I get my ten minute break, not the boss can say shut up and get to work. Under guest worker, Pedro would get a break.
But now, for guest worker to work, employers of all kinds who do not abide by the law should be punished. Not just fined but those knowingly breaking the law arrested, tried and convicted. Nothing like seeing a greedy CEO doing a "perp walk" to show that the US means business.
In reality, President Bush is right that a guest worker program is good and humane compared to the current "system." But, without strong enforcement, it will be a joke and a bad one at that.
For the plan to work, Mr Bush and those in favor of guest worker must find the way to make enforcement of the law top priority. If not, then there is no immigration reform and we will have been given a kick in the teeth by the so-called politicians that work for us.