Illegal Immigration is more than just a political talking point; the left seems determined to make us an open-border country no matter the cost. Each week, Liberty Nation recognizes the Americans who must pay it.
Week of May 9-15
This week’s column focuses on one individual. Although this man’s crimes were not heinous, such as murder or rape, what he cost Americans and other immigrants alike is worth spotlighting.
Juan Antonio Perez
Illegal Immigrant Exploited his Alien Employees
Rome, GA
Mexican National Juan Antonio Perez, 46, has been in the United States illegally since 1992 and, somehow, has been somehow able to operate a business that employed other illegal immigrants since 2009. Perez hired aliens at his construction company, Aztec Framing, which operated in Georgia and Tennessee, and took advantage of them by paying them below-market wages. He did not provide benefits or health insurance to the workers, nor did he pay Social Security or payroll taxes.
Taking advantage of the American Dream, Perez allegedly was able to build a 7,500-square-foot home, purchased more than 50 sports cars and “heavily customized trucks,” as well as other houses, where he graciously allowed some of his employees to live. He was also found in possession of 14 firearms, which illegal aliens aren’t allowed to have.
Byung J. “BJay” Pak, attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said:
“Perez not only broke the law by allegedly hiring illegal aliens at below-market wages and paying no taxes, he had a large assortment of weapons including shotguns and pistols that he had acquired through various means other than buying them himself. Illegal aliens, such as Perez, are not allowed to own firearms at all. We will get to the bottom of how he acquired them.”
An illegal immigrant taking advantage of other illegal immigrants is bad enough, though we could argue the point that if they weren’t here illegally in the first place, this wouldn’t happen. However, Perez was also fleecing Americans by undercutting “legitimate business competitors who were unable to compete due to his illegal practices.”
Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick S. Annan said:
“Individuals, like Mr. Perez, who flagrantly violate federal law to give themselves an unfair business advantage are cheating both law-abiding employers and employees exploited by these unfair and illegal labor practices. This case is an illustration of serious threats to public safety on numerous levels. Homeland Security Investigations will continue to focus not only on workers who violate federal law but also their employers.”
By not paying taxes and by hiring migrants at cheap wages, Perez was able to bid jobs at a much lower price than any legitimate company could offer. Numerous contractors lost customers and jobs because they couldn’t afford the cost of materials and labor while meeting Aztec Framing’s low prices. Apparently, the migrant business owner did quite well, as he was able to afford all those luxuries mentioned earlier, but what about the American families suffering the loss of income that goes with being undercut by the illegal business?
One of the problems with illegals working in the U.S. is that much of the time they are paid under the table, don’t contributing to taxes, and send much of that pay home to their mother country to support family members. That means that money is not being spent here to improve our own economic health. Liberty Nation pointed out that in California, the estimated cost of illegals sending money home was about $3.8 billion:
“Given that there are 11.7 million legal immigrants from Mexico, and 3.1 million from Central America living in the USA, this gives as a pool of 14.8 million legal immigrants contributing to the remittance figures. We also know that 74% of illegal immigrants are from Mexico or Central America, or 8.14 million. This means that of the total Hispanic population assuming to be paying remittances, 35% are likely illegal immigrants. This works out to illegals paying out $14.31 billion to the region annually.”
Some of the remittance payments sent home are likely to help pay for family members to come into the U.S. – illegally – and the cycle continues: Sneak into America, find a job under the table, don’t pay taxes, get aid and housing, free medical, etc., and then send for more family members to do the same.
Perez had a preliminary hearing on May 13, and it was ordered that he remain in custody because he was considered a flight risk. He pleaded not guilty and faces a multitude of charges, including being here illegally and possessing firearms.
Remember to check back next week for the next installment of our illegals crime watch.
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