Decriminalize Identity Theft!

Published on June 17, 2007 By Gideon MacLeish In Politics

In 2004, President Bush signed into law a statute that adds stiffer penalties to people who use stolen identities to commit a crime (Link). In the authoring of the bill and its passage, the high cost of identity theft was repeatedly cited.

And yet, President Bush continues to push for amnesty for what may be the single largest group of identity thieves: illegal immigrants. While he demands stiff penalties for AMERICANS who steal identities, apparently if you're brown and born south of the border, it's a forgivable offense. The proposals he has made for immigration "reform" have basically centered around nullifying the actions of these individuals.

I have said repeatedly that I have a certain sympathy for a certain class of illegals, those who are simply trying to feed their family. But when they purchase forged documents, a forged identity, they are committing a crime, one we take seriously when an American does it. What is the difference, after all, between an illegal who steals or purchases someone's identity to work in the United States or an American who does so to shake a felony conviction that might bar his employment in a certain job sector.

It's time to end the blatant discrimination, the clear double standards. Not only are we not offering similar amnesty to illegal European citizens, not only are people like Simon, Dharma, and Mr. FS covered under the provisions of this proposed legislation (because they were fools enough to come here LEGALLY), but now we are offering to dismiss a FELONY to naturalize these people. Ironically by a president who waves the flag of law and order while he detains people on an island in the Carribean without the benefit of a trial and wiretaps international calls. By a president who promised a war on terror but who allows border cities to be war zones under the control of drug traffickers and offers to forgive entirely the violent actions of Latino gangs who offer to lay down their arms (based on their track record of integrity, having first snuck across the border, and then participated in domestic terror once they arrived) while denying the same forgiveness to gangs of those who were born here.

Comments

Locamama

on Jun 17, 2007

The high cost of identity theft they are talking about is from the criminals who steal someone's identity to run up credit cards or other bills in someone else's name. It is not the theft of identity that costs, it is the theft of goods and services. I think there is a large difference between stealing someone's identity to steal and another to purchase a false SSN to get a job and work. Many are fake numbers that are not discovered until income tax is filed and there is no corresponding SSN. And what does our government do then, do they track down the criminal? Nope they pocket the money they paid into SS under a false SSN. There are many illegal aliens who get paid cash under the table and do not have a SSN. The largest group of identity thieves are identity thieves. Most identity thieves steal numbers from their family.

There is no blanket forgiveness of any and all crimes committed by an illegal alien under the proposed legislation. To say that it is, is just a scare tactic. The only issue is the civil offense, a misdemeanor, of residing in our country illegally. If they commit a crime as a gang member, they can still be prosecuted for that crime. And illegal immigrants actually commit less crime than American born citizens. That is just another scare tactic. I am tired of the villification of illegal immigrants as the root cause of everything that is wrong in this country. Yes, there are problems caused by illegal immigration. The fact is they are already here, living and working,and this legislation is addressing that reality.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jun 17, 2007

The high cost of identity theft they are talking about is from the criminals who steal someone's identity to run up credit cards or other bills in someone else's name.

Oh, really. Tell that to people who will bear a tax burden for the earnings of illegals under their Social Security numbers, Loca.

Identity theft is a felony for Americans; why do illegal immigrants get a pass?

And illegal immigrants actually commit less crime than American born citizens

Oh, really? Then perhaps you would like to explain why there are 450,000 OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS for illegals, loca. Was this a case of "the man" stereotyping?

Can you also explain the presence of the MS-13 gangs in the inner cities, if illegals are less prone to crime? What about the drug running along the border?

I understand your position on this issue, Loca, even if I do not agree. But if you are going to press for the rights of illegals, it is in your own best interest (and theirs) to acknowledge the strong factions of illegals who are here for less honorable purposes, to weed them out, and to distance them from those who are here simply for opportunity. The picture of illegals is not exactly as you paint it, and there are countless sources that will attest to this, not all of them xenophobic right wing hate rags.

SanChonino

on Jun 17, 2007

You better be careful Gid, Sur 13 is gonna f*** you up . . .

SanChonino

on Jun 17, 2007

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention . . .

I lived in a city with a large Sur 13 presence - Albuquerque. I witnessed a murder between a guy from Sur 13 and the East Side Cerro Boys, a local gang.

But do you know what? Almost every member of Sur 13 I met (and I was a missionary - and you'd be surprised how many gang kids will open up and start talking to you to try and absolve some of their guilt for being in a gang) was a US citizen. First generation Chicano, but a US citizen nonetheless.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jun 17, 2007

But do you know what? Almost every member of Sur 13 I met (and I was a missionary - and you'd be surprised how many gang kids will open up and start talking to you to try and absolve some of their guilt for being in a gang) was a US citizen. First generation Chicano, but a US citizen nonetheless.

But not all, SC. And NOT the ones for which the immigration bill proposes amnesty. Ironically, the ones who ARE US citizens don't get the same offer!

whoman69

on Jun 17, 2007

That is wrong, Gordon. The bill separates out those who are in the criminal element and seeks to deport them. Background checks will be done.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jun 17, 2007

Gordon?

Oh, so gangsters aren't criminals now? I suppose the MS-13 is just a Latino Lions Club?

There is a section of the bill that specifically grants amnesty to gangsters who renounce violence. And as for identity theft, if it's not a crime we need to exempt it for everyone, not just illegals. If I steal someone's identity for ANY purpose, it is considered illegal. If an illegal immigrant does it, it's apparently forgivable.

All I'm asking is for the double standard to end. We already have legal standards for those who want to work in America to do so; what the pro-illegal immigration lobby is asking for is a different set of laws for them than for everyone else in America. If someone commits a crime, ADDRESS the crime. Don't give them rewards for breaking the law.

The way you and loca talk, you'd think every illegal is here on a stolen identity. If that is the case, then the immigration law IS amnesty. If that is not the case, it is better for YOUR side to stop portraying all illegals as criminals and START acknowledging reasonable efforts to sort the criminal element from those who are here simply for opportunity.

Locamama

on Jun 17, 2007

Oh, really? Then perhaps you would like to explain why there are 450,000 OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS for illegals, loca. Was this a case of "the man" stereotyping?

A comprehensive study of incarceration rates by nativity (using Census data for the institutionalized population in the U.S., which are practically the only national or statewide data available for such purposes), shows that Mexican-born men have an incarceration rate of 0.7 percent, compared with 1.71 percent for non-Hispanic whites, 11.6 percent for blacks, and 5.9 percent for Mexican Americans.

Locamama

on Jun 17, 2007

Oh, really? Then perhaps you would like to explain why there are 450,000 OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS for illegals, loca. Was this a case of "the man" stereotyping?

Where did you get this number? There is no comprehensive national reporting system. Florida, Texas and California have no statewide system for reporting outstanding warrants. The police also do not collect immigration status. So unless you can show me otherwise, this seems to be a bogus number.

Dr Guy

on Jun 18, 2007

Oh, really? Then perhaps you would like to explain why there are 450,000 OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANTS for illegals, loca. Was this a case of "the man" stereotyping?

A comprehensive study of incarceration rates by nativity (using Census data for the institutionalized population in the U.S., which are practically the only national or statewide data available for such purposes), shows that Mexican-born men have an incarceration rate of 0.7 percent, compared with 1.71 percent for non-Hispanic whites, 11.6 percent for blacks, and 5.9 percent for Mexican Americans.

Apples and oranges, Locamama. Outstanding arrest warrants mean they have not been caught and incarcerated.

But to throw more water on the numbers you quote. When caught, many illegals are sent home (even the ones with minor crimes). The other demographic groups are imprisoned since this is there home.

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