I heard a great idea today.

In Mexico, in order to wire money out of the country, you first have to prove you are in Mexico legally.

Why doesn't the United States have a similar policy?
If you are going to wire money out of the country, you have to prove you are in the country legally.
Seems pretty simple to me.

Also seems like it would cut down on the desire to come in the country illegally if you can't get the money you made here out of the country, and back to your family waiting in Mexico.

Any other thoughts on this?

Seems like a dumb idea. Instead of making life harder (since they can very easily put a check in an envelope and mail it) lets just fix the problems?

The one foreigner who is traveling on business in the United States and needs to immediately mail money home to Japan / Europe / other big country and can't would make this entire thing bad legislation.

You can't open a Checking account without proving you are in the country Legally, as well.
A Foreign traveler here on business would have a Passport or Visa, and hence be in the country legally.
So why is this a dumb idea, other than the fact I brought it forward?
And what problems do you think need fixing? Remove the borders so people can just walk in?

well a person could still send a money order or cash

So you pass a law in conjunction that says in order to purchase a money order, you must also prove you are in the country legally.
As far as actual dollars, aren't you required to show an ID to cash a check as well?

And don't alot of illegal immigrants get paid cash under the table?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for legislation that helps keep illegal immigrants out, etc, but I just think this will just cause people to figure out work arounds and not really change anything.

Yeah, they might. But even if they send the money through the Mail, maybe they should have to show some ID in order to send a letter.
My thinking is, if you make it as difficult as possible for them to send money back to Mexico, then they will stop coming here illegally, and maybe they will use the legal means to do so.
Just a thought...

if you have to show id to mail a letter, can you imagine the lines for EVERYONE at the post office? What's to keep one of their legal friends from mailing their cash? The days of the postman picking up the mail at your mailbox when the flag is up would be over(afterall, you probably aren't home when the postman delievers/picks up your mail).

Having to present ID when I mail a letter, everytime I mail a letter, is WAAAY beyond the scope of inconvenience that I think most people would be willing to sacrifice.

Presenting ID to wire money, I can see that and agree with that to a point. Having to present ID every time I want to mail a letter or a bill is WAAAY over the top and insane to even suggest.

2 Much Govt!

You haven't been in a post office very often. There are lines in there anyways. What's asking a person to present their ID going to add to that? 10 more seconds per transaction?

Buy stock in Western Union!

I still say the solution is going after employers. Make it nearly impossible to hire illegals, and watch what happens. No one will show up if they can't get paid.

Get rid of garbage like family social security numbers.

What's asking a person to present their ID going to add to that? 10 more seconds per transaction?

And that's still not every customer atm that mails a letter. You couldn't let people drop mail in drop boxes, you couldn't have postmen pick up mail from people's mail boxes. You simply aren't thinking through the logistics with this.

No more mail boxes in the parking lot at the post office, no one could have their ID checked there. No more mail boxes at the grocery store. To mail ANYTHING even your bills you'd have to go to the post office and wait in line. I know you think you post things to make other people "think," but you need to think those things through yourself before you post things and are oblivious to any potential results of actions. It's obvious you thought, oh this would be a great idea and didn't even think it out. Sure there are lines in the post office now. Do you really believe that that's everyone that mails a letter? Asking the people already in line for an ID wouldn't add that much, sure 10 seconds per customer adds up but in the grand scheme wouldn't add alot. Make everyone travel to the post office, make everyone stand in that line is just dumb.

Obviously Kanyli that is the solution, and I believe the route the government is taking. Any other idea is just, like I said, poor legislation.

I don't think they are though, that's the problem, and few if any politicians will take the necessary stand and risk their career to bring about the legislation and changes necessary.

Well, you could always put Laser scanners at mail box drop offs. This way your ID could be scanned, and allow you to drop off mail that way
For house delivery, I'm sure there is a reasonable way to address this.
But I do agree that the employers of illegals need to pay a serious price for doing so.
Fines, jail time, and the dismantling of the business. Make it really painful.

Well, you could always put Laser scanners at mail box drop offs. This way your ID could be scanned, and allow you to drop off mail that way
For house delivery, I'm sure there is a reasonable way to address this.


What exactly would be the purpose of scanning an ID? What is the purpose of presenting ID? None of this shows the content of the envelope, and it is a violation of federal law for a window clerk or mail carrier to open a piece of mail. A Postmaster can even be removed from service for that offense.

You really need to think these ideas through before presenting them. It would be much simpler to buy items highly desired in the area (denim jeans were selling at outrageous profit for a while in the mideast), and ship them to family, who could then sell at a profit, and voila.....there is the transfer of money. There are way too many ways to get around a simple money transfer.

I think heavy heavy fines, loss of business licenses, etc. are in order to businesses that are repeat offenders of hiring illegal immigrants. First time offenders deserve a stiff fine, but mistakes can happen. Once it's known that a company has hired an illegal before, they should be under a microscope.

The post office is the ONLY branch of the government that runs at a profit. You want to ruin that too Sixee? Lazer scanners on every mailbox ...

Christ, think a little, please ...

The post office is the ONLY branch of the government that runs at a profit. You want to ruin that too Sixee? Lazer scanners on every mailbox ...

Christ, think a little, please ...

Actually so do the Marines, from what I hear.
Each year the Marines Give money back to the DoD.
Sounds like they are running in the black.
And I did think about this.
I still think you should be required to prove you are in the US legally to wire money. The other methods of getting funds back to the countries of Origin are slow and not profitable
There should also be stiffer fines and a lot more scrutiny for the companies that hire illegals too.
What about a nice little "Shame list" of companies found in violation posted on a Government website somewhere?

Should you have to prove you are an american citizen to use a restroom here in the country? Or eat at a resturant ... wiring money has nothing to do with your rights as an American citizen.

It is the primary way money gets transferred to the Country of Mexico.
So why is it an issue if you have to prove you are in the country legally if you want to wire money outside of the country?

Actually so do the Marines, from what I hear.
Each year the Marines Give money back to the DoD.
Sounds like they are running in the black.
And I did think about this.
I still think you should be required to prove you are in the US legally to wire money. The other methods of getting funds back to the countries of Origin are slow and not profitable
There should also be stiffer fines and a lot more scrutiny for the companies that hire illegals too.
What about a nice little "Shame list" of companies found in violation posted on a Government website somewhere?

Giving money back to the DoD doesnt mean the Marine Corp is running at a profit it just means they give money back.

There should also be stiffer fines and a lot more scrutiny for the companies that hire illegals too.

I think Taleran thought about that too. He covered it pretty well in his post.

The other methods of getting funds back to the countries of Origin are slow and not profitable

Its cheaper to send a money order in the mail or by fedex than to wire the money. So how is it unprofitable?

The post office is the ONLY branch of the government that runs at a profit. You want to ruin that too Sixee? Lazer scanners on every mailbox ...

Christ, think a little, please ...

And Congress is finding ways to take that money too!

That is why they mandated the post office to establish an escrow fund, the purpose of which will be determined at a later date.:rolleyes:

Forget the fact that our economy depends on illegal immigrants. :rolleyes:

You mean the rich business owners pocket book counts on illegal immigrants. They are the only ones making out in this scenario. They get cheap labor, so they can do more work and put more in their pocket. For instance my brother works for a roofing company that hires many Illegal...does his pay check get bigger or are those getting the roofing actually done get a price break? Nope...his pay check stays the same, the cost of getting the roof done is the same...the person who owns the business makes out like a bandit. Get rid of the Illegal and /gasp downsize and take on a work load you can do with LEGAL immigrants and citizens and I see both things staying the same...paychecks and roofing costs. BUT the business owner will take a hit because he wont be able to bid X amount of jobs per month with out the illegal being around. You get the point.

Like I said raise the price of vegetables, ethic food, ect... I don't care. I fail to see this..our economy depends on it. In fact I would say our economy is failing in the worst way with the Illegals..our school systems, health systems, social security...ect.