Opinion: No change to no match

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The last time the Department of Homeland Security tried to crack down on employers by sending them ‘no match’ letters, a court stopped the plan in its tracks, saying it would end up hurting legal workers. What’s changed six months later? Pretty much nothing.

DHS promised last fall it would review its plan, which would send employers a warning if they had enough employees with social security numbers that didn’t match their names. Last week the agency released its proposed revisions (pdf) for public comment, offering only the smallest technical tweaks. The Washington Post reported that lawyers familiar with the original case against the plan anticipated ongoing court battles over the rule.

The editorial board has weighed in against masochistic efforts like these, which put the hurt on the American economy to underscore the need for comprehensive immigration reform. DHS has put out numbers on what it’ll cost employers to comply: $3,000 to $7,500 for small businesses, and $13,000 to $34,000 for larger ones. As the Post notes, that doesn’t include the cost of replacing workers.

That’s not the only hurt employers will be feeling if the Bush administration continues its piecemeal immigration reform — on Thursday, higher fees go into effect for employers who violate immigration laws. Controversial immigration raids continue, including a major one last month in Van Nuys. And Congress is getting in on the game, examining enforcement-only legislation once again.

*Photo courtesy AFP.