I have a Moral Issue. I need some advice.

[NightShade]

There is a reason why things can be reported anonymously in this type of situation. https://www.ice.gov/webform/hsi-tip-form

The moral issue aside there is also legal ramifications that can come in to play. Since you KNOW they are illegal it could come back as harboring https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1907-title-8-usc-1324a-offenses

Harboring -- Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii) makes it an offense for any person who -- knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation.

In this situation federal law is the one you really have to worry about.

Penalties -- The basic statutory maximum penalty for violating 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(i) and (v)(I) (alien smuggling and conspiracy) is a fine under title 18, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. With regard to violations of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(ii)-(iv) and (v)(ii), domestic transportation, harboring, encouraging/inducing, or aiding/abetting, the basic statutory maximum term of imprisonment is 5 years, unless the offense was committed for commercial advantage or private financial gain, in which case the maximum term of imprisonment is 10 years. In addition, significant enhanced penalties are provided for in violations of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1) involving serious bodily injury or placing life in jeopardy. Moreover, if the violation results in the death of any person, the defendant may be punished by death or by imprisonment for any term of years. The basic penalty for a violation of subsection 1324(a)(2) is a fine under title 18, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2)(A). Enhanced penalties are provided for violations involving bringing in criminal aliens, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2)(B)(i), offenses done for commercial advantage or private financial gain, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii), and violations where the alien is not presented to an immigration officer immediately upon arrival, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2)(B)(iii). A mandatory minimum three year term of imprisonment applies to first or second violations of § 1324(a)(2)(B)(i) or (B)(ii). Further enhanced punishment is provided for third or subsequent offenses.

I would personally rather not pay a fine and potentially spend time at Club Fed. Even though you are a teacher if someone else reports and you don't and have direct knowledge it could be construed to equate harboring.

The choice is yours but doing nothing is actually something. Wanting a better life is fine as well but there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. My wife did it the right way and became a citizen, her brother was attempting to do things the right way and went home for a visit less than a month before becoming a citizen and was then told he couldn't stay due to someone saying it was ok to go for a visit when it really wasn't.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

IMO if nothing happens when you report it, will it just frustrate you more?

 

[Honey Badger]

IMO if nothing happens when you report it, will it just frustrate you more?

Actually it won’t shock me one little bit. But I would know I tried.

 

[Honey Badger]

There is a reason why things can be reported anonymously in this type of situation. https://www.ice.gov/webform/hsi-tip-form

The moral issue aside there is also legal ramifications that can come in to play. Since you KNOW they are illegal it could come back as harboring https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1907-title-8-usc-1324a-offenses



In this situation federal law is the one you really have to worry about.




I would personally rather not pay a fine and potentially spend time at Club Fed. Even though you are a teacher if someone else reports and you don't and have direct knowledge it could be construed to equate harboring.

The choice is yours but doing nothing is actually something. Wanting a better life is fine as well but there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. My wife did it the right way and became a citizen, her brother was attempting to do things the right way and went home for a visit less than a month before becoming a citizen and was then told he couldn't stay due to someone saying it was ok to go for a visit when it really wasn't.

Amen! Very well put

 

[HeyEng]

I don't know how big the school that you teach in is, but with 300 kids...well, that's a lot of parents working at this plant. I would bet a dollar that the government already knows about it. The pork/beef/chicken industry isn't stupid...and there is a lot of lobbying to keep wages low and profits high. That isn't going to change anytime soon.

 

[Honey Badger]

I don't know how big the school that you teach in is, but with 300 kids...well, that's a lot of parents working at this plant. I would bet a dollar that the government already knows about it. The pork/beef/chicken industry isn't stupid...and there is a lot of lobbying to keep wages low and profits high. That isn't going to change anytime soon.

The company gets busted constantly. The irony is that I have never heard of the Migra hauling people back to where they came from. I know the company has been fined many times.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

I wish you the best. I'm sure, from what you have said here, you will know what to do.

 

[steelfingers]

Anonymously report it to ICE (the employer). Send a copy of the letter to ICE to your congressman (hopefully Rep) and ask him to look into it (again anonymously).
Do the same with your local newspaper about a story on the school. You can do the same with the Tulsa World (they love this stuff) with and anonymous tip to the news line.
Papers eat this stuff alive and you can sit on the sidelines watching.
Do not mention you are a teacher. Leave no footprints.

 

[HeyEng]

The company gets busted constantly. The irony is that I have never heard of the Migra hauling people back to where they came from. I know the company has been fined many times.

Perhaps this is to keep folks appeased. Those penalties aren't doing anything to the bottom line. Governance in action!

 

[MacFromOK]

Personally I feel Like it violates my “Oath” as a teacher.

Did you actually take an oath to be a teacher?

Oaths are not to be taken (or referenced) lightly IMO.