Different Kind of COVID-19 Victim
Job seekers are screwed if something happens right now to
their documents proving they can work. Imagine due to a fluke of circumstances,
a new hire’s documents for the I9 are lost or destroyed, say through an act of
God. They try to get replacements but find vital records, passport services,
and the SSA are all closed until further notice due to COVID-19. And no
temporary relaxing of the law due to COVID-19.
It’s a perfect storm of unconstitutionally screwing
law-abiding citizens because of past corporate greed. Getting a job right now
is a rarity and employers don’t have to be patient in waiting for a new
employee to attain replacement docs.
Sure, one could pay for multiple copies and documents just
in case. But why should it be necessary?
It certainly seems unconstitutional to force workers to repeatedly
prove their citizenship just to live when the federal government already knows
they are eligible to work - all while the government could have, but does not have, options for employers to get verification or for workers to attain a federal citizen
ID card. Everyone else can get such a card. This law is not much better than
the ACA individual mandate! It’s in essence an encroachment of inalienable
rights.
So, what should we do? Repeal the law requiring I9s? Not
necessarily. What we need is, for the first time in history maybe, a law that
is not only useful but actually practical - and constitutional. A law that
protects U.S. workers from losing jobs to illegal workers while not placing the
burden on U.S. workers. Also, not penalizing companies unless they get caught
with illegal aliens.
There are solutions to this that can maintain privacy and security
while not requiring U.S. citizens to repeatedly prove they are eligible to work
- a birthright to natural-born citizens.
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