Ignorance of the Law IS an excuse...
...according to Sister Larraine who is director of a migrant/immigrant shelter in my hometown in KY.
I doubt that Sr. Larraine refers to the law correctly, but if she does then why even have the law on the books? As difficult as it is to disprove ignorance I would expect that any defendent accused of violating this immigration law would plead ignorance. But what of the universal 'unwritten' maxim that 'ignorance of the law is no excuse?' This maxim is true, generally, because good laws have these standard conditions: that it is promulgated widely and in advance for public knowledge, that its interpretation is unambiguous, that it is stable without constant change, and general in form.
My guess is that employers of these migrants are doing the morally appropriate thing , which is a better mitigating factor than ignorance. That is a valid tension between intent of the law and the intent of the employer. There is the possibility, I think, of employers looking to save by hiring the cheapest labor by far, rather than an having an altruistic motive. This appears to be a vicious circle for Sr. Larraine. She's perpetuating the need for her services by opposing laws which in effect motivate migrants to wean themselves from the need for her services, i.e., learn some English, obtain legal entry.
The bottom line should be charity. But nowdays immigration matters are national security matters. And any intelligence reform or overhaul must consider the security of our borders, north and south.
Wilkerson (an employment and training specialist for the county) said some area employers are afraid that some Hispanic workers might be in the country illegally. But Sister Larraine said the law only prohibits people from knowingly hiring illegal aliens. The employers are not required to prove that the people they hire are in the country legally, she said.
I doubt that Sr. Larraine refers to the law correctly, but if she does then why even have the law on the books? As difficult as it is to disprove ignorance I would expect that any defendent accused of violating this immigration law would plead ignorance. But what of the universal 'unwritten' maxim that 'ignorance of the law is no excuse?' This maxim is true, generally, because good laws have these standard conditions: that it is promulgated widely and in advance for public knowledge, that its interpretation is unambiguous, that it is stable without constant change, and general in form.
My guess is that employers of these migrants are doing the morally appropriate thing , which is a better mitigating factor than ignorance. That is a valid tension between intent of the law and the intent of the employer. There is the possibility, I think, of employers looking to save by hiring the cheapest labor by far, rather than an having an altruistic motive. This appears to be a vicious circle for Sr. Larraine. She's perpetuating the need for her services by opposing laws which in effect motivate migrants to wean themselves from the need for her services, i.e., learn some English, obtain legal entry.
The bottom line should be charity. But nowdays immigration matters are national security matters. And any intelligence reform or overhaul must consider the security of our borders, north and south.
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