illegals

[venusfire503 54]

So, I have a question....

I know we're not allowed to help someone stay here illegally. But now I have a new job, and have been told that we're a non-reporting agency. In other words, if clients tell me they are illegal, I'm not supposed to report them (same if they admit to fleeing the law, for example). My husband is now a citizen, so that makes it a little less complicated, but... is this a conflict of interest? I can't take a chance of losing my job, so I can't report anyone (I was told even if questioned by someone official, I should just refer them to my supervisor). At the same time, what should someone in my position do, especially if they or their SO is 'only' a permanent resident or just applied for residency?

venusfire

P.S. kind of off topic, but I also found out I'm a mandatory reporter for child abuse - kind of strange (but I'd rather be allowed to report suspected child abuse)

Edited August 18, 2012 by venusfire503

[Que Saudade 284]

Not sure what job you have. Did you sign an agreement reflecting any kind of confidentiality issues?

Regarding the issue about deferring to your superior, do just that. Put the legal implications square on their lap.

But, if you get subpoenaed and are put under oath and refuse to answer a question, you may have an obstruction of justice issue. If you lie under oath you have now committed perjury. There is no 5th amendment right here.

With that being said, exactly what law are you breaking if you don't pick up the phone and call ICE to report an illegal alien? It's not like you are actively giving them advice on how to break the law, or hiding them in your house to avoid deportation.

If, someone can cite the code that "compels" you to report such activity, then you have a different issue. I did a rather exhaustive search and could not find anything easily. Maybe some law guru here can actually comment to what law you think you may be breaking by not reporting an illegal alien.

It may be that you are trying to make a moral decision versus a legal one.

Edited August 18, 2012 by Que Saudade

[canadian_wife 1,823]

You sound like a teacher, you are in the same position as myself.

As a teacher of children, my first job is to protect the child, not the parent. I do not, nor can I, report a child if they are illegally in the country. If I report them, then I run the risk of sending them to a lesser environment where their health, family, and education may become at risk. It is not my job to verify if the parent is in the country legally (that is the job of the board of education)and it is not my job to punish the child for the mistake of the parents.

For me, I justify it as knowing the child is fed (2 meals a day at school at least), educated and cared for. If I notice an aspect of abuse or neglect, then it becomes a different issue

but then again, I deal with children

Good luck

[ceadsearc 516]

I don't think not reporting someone is the same as helping them stay illegally. You aren't providing them shelter in your home or anything I presume. I work for social services and we don't report to USCIS either. It's not an issue. You do not have to report someone you know is illegal, just not aid and abet them.

[UKGirl123 24]

As far as I was aware as long as you document to a supervisor of fraud or illegal activity (which I guess could count illegal immigrants) then you are passing the responsibility to report onto the supervisor.

[jimnlena 8]

So I assume there is no one reporting to the tax payers that there tax money is being used to support illegal immigration??

[ceadsearc 516]

So I assume there is no one reporting to the tax payers that there tax money is being used to support illegal immigration??

What tax money are you talking about?