The union that represents more than 10,000 Border Patrol agents is blasting the House Immigration Bill. Union officials say the bill tries to mollify the public with the right rhetoric about worksite enforcement. But they say the bill maintains the status quo. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
National Border Patrol Council President TJ Bonner says the overwhelming majority of undocumented migrants come to the United States for jobs. He says any real immigration reform must prevent employers from hiring them. But he says this bill's attempt to do so is unenforceable and meaningless.
Bonner: "There'll be about 150 agents to go out and check on workplaces. What this means is your chances of being audited by the Department of Homeland Security are about as great as your chances of having an airplane fall on your head."
Bonner also says the proposed 700 mile fence will not secure the border unless more Border Patrol agents are hired to patrol it. But the bill does not add more officers.
Bonner says a guest worker program may make sense for industries like agriculture, only after the supply of illegal workers is cut off. Amy Isackson, KPBS news.
