illegal immigration advocates speak with a forked tongue

A postscript on April 15
No one likes paying taxes, but Oregonians need to understand that illegal immigrants pay them, too

A s the debate heats up in the Oregon Legislature about illegal immigrants, charges fly back and forth about their value to our economy and whether, in effect, they earn their keep.
If your own income taxes are on your brain -- and they probably are, since the Internal Revenue Service deadline just passed -- you may be wondering whether illegal immigrants in Oregon pay taxes, too. There are lots of caveats, but the quick answer is: Yes.

The apologists for illegal immigrants can't make up their minds; one minute the illegals only work in low paying jobs that Americans just won't take, the next minute they are in the 50% tax bracket and paying more than their fair share. They are either being oppressed with sub-minimum wages (probably by Wal-Mart) or needing in-state tuition so they can become doctors. It just makes no sense to me.
Today's Fishwrapper has an editorial that takes the "they contribute so much to our society" argument. That the evidence to support their argument is unprovable ("We just don't have any way to track that," says the department's public information officer, Rosemary Hardin. But she adds, "There's no reason to say they're not (paying taxes).") just makes their position even more laughable. Let's take a look at the facts:

Illegal aliens do not have a Social Security number. The IRS will aide and abet these criminals and issue them a TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) if they so request it but they rarely do. Instead they use your SSN (make one up) and then say they have 8 dependents on their W-4 for so that no taxes are withheld during the year. Then they simply don't file a tax return.

If they do file a tax return how much do they pay?
You have ZERO federal tax liability if:
The taxpayer’s earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must be less than:
$34,458 if the taxpayer has more than one qualifying child ($35,458, if married, filing jointly);
$30,338 if the taxpayer has one qualifying child ($31,338 if married, filing jointly);
$11,490 if the taxpayer has no qualifying child ($12,490 if married, filing jointly).
In fact if you are on the above list you will probably get MORE back from the federal government than you paid! Do you make more than this if you are working those minimum wage jobs that "Americans just won't do?"

And I just have a hard time getting past this one: It is illegal for these people to work in this country!!!!

Employment Eligibility Verification
I am aware that federal law provides for
imprisonment and/or fines for false statements or
use of false documents in connection with the
completion of this form.

I attest, under penalty of perjury, that I am (check one of the following):
*A citizen or national of the United States
*A Lawful Permanent Resident (Alien # A__________
*An alien authorized to work until___/___/___
*(Alien # or Admission #)________

So they have broken our immigration laws, committed ID theft and perjury on form W-4, and now perjured themselves on the Employment Eligibility Verification Form. But they aren't criminals, they just come here to work hard. They sure do contribute sooo much to our society!