I would love to make it a felony to employ illegal labor.

I also would like a reckoning over farm labor. If it's possible to tear down the neo-serf system for agricultural work via a goods pricing war, that's fine with me. I would labor in the fields for a month or two out of the year. (I've done hard outdoor work before, I'm not just saying that.) I just don't want to lose my normal job, mortgage, or insurance because I'm out somewhere else for a bit.

It is already a federal crime, just almost never enforced.

These companies (that rely heavily on undocumented labor, like slaughterhouses) are also way too friendly with USCIS/ICE/DHS.

There was a coordinated series of raids on I believe Tyson a few years. A few facilities in a couple of counties.

Eight hundred, nine hundred undocumented workers.

Many of them said that the company advised them on staying under the radar. Some even gave the arresting officers company paperwork that told them how to do certain things, like fill out their I-9s, etc.

A curious journalist asked at the press conference where chests were being puffed about such things and the fact that the company was obviously not just aware, but assisting in the employment of these workers. "Are there any plans to investigate the company or issue fines or charges?"

"We are not considering that at this time."

Huh, color me surprised.

With all the labor law issues that these places have, from OSHA to child labor, it wouldn't remotely surprise me that if the undocumented workers get a little too "uppity" about health and safety or worker's rights, someone from the company calls ICE and says "Hey, we'll help you find a whole bunch of undocumented workers at our facilities if you don't consider enforcement against us".

It already IS a federal crime to hire undocumented workers, and an additional federal crime to harbor them at your place of employment (8 USC 1324). But almost never enforced, for some odd reason...

> an additional federal crime to harbor them at your place of employment (8 USC 1324)

Knowingly. There are other stipulations too that make the whole thing pointless unless you're an active conspirator.

> But almost never enforced, for some odd reason...

Sourcing contracted illegal labor has been delegated to fly-by-night recruiters that basically round up illegals in a school bus and drop them off at the desired facility. The employer benefiting from the labor has deniability. Law enforcement struggles to keep up.

Right. In this case though, dozens of the employees had printed instructions from the employer telling them how to slip through the cracks. As in had been handed information on day one essentially saying "this is how to fill out our paperwork if you're not authorized to work".

And right after half of our industries which are dependent on this labor will collapse. Agriculture alone would totally collapse in this country, the food would rot in the fields.

Good. I don't know why you're defending the status quo. Are you pleased that the current industry setup necessitates serf labor from migrants? Do you see any value in living in a nation that actually provides for itself?

I'm not (pleased).

I'm simply saying we can just ban it. Our society is built on it. We need to be realistic. If we're willing to remake our entire agricultural economic system then yes. But that's simply not really an option especially in a free market like the US. It's just not really worth discussing, because it's impossible.

Personally, I would just make it impossible to illegally enter into the country without a visa. I don’t think you need to arrest any CEOs, just… don’t let enormous caravans of people walk right into your country.

Is this overly simplistic?

Yes, consider the cost of securing the ~11000 mile perimeter of the united states