Joe Legal vs Jose Illegal
This blog is about LEGAL immigrants and the challenges they face. But our close cousins - illegal immigrants have challenges, that many believe are even harder. But the debate about immigration reform is almost entirely about them, and it’s heating up. I don’t carry very many opinions on illegal immigration, because, honestly, I am not one and I don’t know enough to make judgement calls. I do see both sides of the debate though - and this email that I received today picqued my interest. What do you think? Is Jose Illegal really LUCKY or is the author of this email missing something important?
JOE LEGAL VS. JOSE ILLEGAL
You have two families: “Joe Legal” and “Jose Illegal”. Both families
have two parents, two children, and live in California .
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes
$25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number,
and gets paid $15.00 cash “under the table”.
Ready? Now pay attention…
Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or
$52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe
Legal now has $31,231.00.
Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600 per week, or
$31,200 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has
$31,200.
Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his
family at $600 per month, or $7,200 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and
local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.
Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or
welfare. Joe Legal pays $500 per month for food, or $6,000 per year. Joe Legal
now has $18,031.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and
welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200 per month, or $14,400 per year.
Joe Legal now has $9,631.
Jose Illegal receives a $500 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose
Illegal pays out that $500 per month, or $6,000 per year. Jose
Illegal still has $ 31,200.
Joe Legal pays $200 per month, or $2,400 per year for auto insurance
Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.
Jose Illegal says, “We don’t need no stinkin’ insurance!” and he still
has $31,200.
Joe Legal has to make his $7,231 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200 stretch to pay utilities,
gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after
work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal’s and Jose Illegal’s children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal pays for his children’s lunches while Jose Illegal’s children
get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal’s children also have an
after school ESL program.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire
services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
Do you get it, now?
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July 19th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
That is why make Jose illegal as legal and make him part of the system that we all benefit and suffer from.
If the illegals had it so good why are they dying to become legals.
Frankly speaking America uses 25% of the World resources and have only 5% of the World population. What is so wrong with sharing 25% with say 5.25%?
Also these illegals are here because businesses need them.
I would say anyone with criminal history should be deported asap but the remaining are hard working humans just like the rest of us.
Thanks,
July 19th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Both to leave the US ASAP - so Americans can get back to work! Borders to be enforced and no more work visas of any type.
July 19th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
tunnelrat, welcome back! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I always enjoy our debate :).
I believe that the definition of Americans is not “people that are American citizens today”. It’s more like “American citizens today and immigrants that will become citizens tomorrow by making a contribution”. I do hope more of us get to work, but it’s not gonna happen by driving immigrants out. The only guaranteed way for that the happen is to continue to innovate..that’s the ONLY thing that sets America apart from the rest of the world - the pace at which we innovate.
August 15th, 2010 at 9:48 am
We have an interesting debate going on the immigration issue at:
http://www.surveymagnet.com/2010/08/is-it-possible-to-end-the-immigration-problem-in-the-us/
Come join the discussion.