DEBUNKING SOME IMMIGRATION MYTHS.
- lhpgop
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
Certified Payroll Fraud Exposed: How Illegal Workers Are Infiltrating U.S. Public Projects
One of the trending videos this week shows ICE agents running all over a major construction project arresting "possibly" illegal immigrants working on the site. The law that they "allegedly" can be breaking is violation of certified payroll. THis means that the job is using State and/or Federal money and has to operate at a certain wage level and use ID verification. If they are not, it is probably because the contractor is skimming money off the wages. Here's the breakdown
What Is Certified Payroll?
Certified payroll is required on government-funded construction jobs.
It’s supposed to guarantee that workers are paid fair, legal, prevailing wages.
It comes with a signed statement of compliance submitted to federal or state agencies—under penalty of law.
In other words, it’s not just paperwork—it’s a legal document.
How the Fraud Happens
Contractors or subcontractors submit fake Social Security numbers, false I-9s, or recycled identities.
They list illegal workers on certified payrolls as if they’re legal employees.
The wage data is falsified—often underpaying the worker and pocketing the difference.
The fake forms are sent to government agencies to secure payment.
Who Is Liable?
Contractors who sign off on fake reports can be charged under:
18 U.S.C. § 1001 (False Statements to the Government)
18 U.S.C. § 1546 (Fake immigration documents)
8 U.S.C. § 1324a (Hiring unauthorized workers)
Civil penalties up to $16,000 per worker
Criminal penalties include 5–10 years in prison, per count
States like California or New York have additional laws, including disbarment from public projects
The Human Angle
Illegal workers are often exploited—paid cash, no benefits, no protections.
Legal American workers get locked out of these publicly funded jobs.
Key Issues to Understand About Form I-220A (Order of Release on Recognizance)
This Form I-220A is also playing a prominent role in a number of the "bleeding hearts" videos, until you understand what it is and what it means. Then you can see what's up
The I-220A is a "Order of Release on Recognizance" form used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It is not an immigration application, but rather a document issued to certain noncitizens who are apprehended by immigration authorities and released without being detained in immigration custody while their case proceeds.
Key Facts About Form I-220A:
Purpose: It allows a person who has been taken into ICE custody to be released without a bond (unlike a bond order, which requires payment).
Conditions of Release: Individuals released under an I-220A must typically:
Attend all immigration court hearings
Report regularly to ICE as instructed
Not violate any U.S. laws
Not a Visa or Status Document: It does not grant legal immigration status, asylum, or work authorization. It only reflects release terms during removal proceedings.
Often Confused With Parole or Bond: But unlike parole or bond, it does not necessarily give certain protections or benefits. For example, it does not make someone eligible for work authorization unless they apply and qualify under other criteria.
Part of Removal Proceedings: Anyone issued an I-220A is typically still in removal (deportation) proceedingsand must appear before an immigration judge.
Important Notes:
Being released on I-220A does not stop deportation proceedings.
Individuals on I-220A should consult an immigration attorney to understand their case and options, especially if they want to apply for asylum or other relief.
ICE hurting USA tourism
This is also a new take on a problem that has been occuring wince the rise of Antifa and BLM and continues under it's new name Free Palestine.(same organization different name)
The Decline of U.S. Urban Tourism: A Financial and Sociopolitical Autopsy
I. Introduction
Tourism has long been one of the United States' most resilient and profitable industries. Yet, by mid-2025, international travel to many of America’s largest urban centers—New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland—has dropped markedly. While global factors such as inflation and post-pandemic economic turbulence are often cited, a deeper analysis reveals a more troubling domestic reality: the collapse of civic order, the spread of far-left urban policies, and the economic impact of a strong U.S. dollar have together produced an inhospitable climate for foreign tourism.
II. The Rise and Collapse of the Urban Tourism Model
A. The Promise of the American City
Traditionally, foreign tourists visited major U.S. cities for their cultural cachet, global landmarks, shopping, arts, and media appeal. Urban tourism served as a powerful soft power tool, driving billions into local economies. According to the U.S. Travel Association, international visitors spent $155 billion in 2019, a pre-pandemic high.
B. Post-2020: A Deteriorating Urban Experience
However, beginning in 2020, many urban centers adopted radical progressive policies in response to civil unrest, COVID-19, and rising activism. These included:
Defunding or politically hobbling police departments
Permissive protest policies resulting in widespread destruction
Lax enforcement of drug laws, vagrancy, and public sanitation
Embrace of “harm reduction” rather than deterrence in public safety
The outcome was a noticeable decline in cleanliness, security, and order—critical elements of the tourist experience.
III. The Impact of Socialist-Aligned Urban Governance
Cities run by mayors and councils influenced by democratic socialist ideologies have prioritized ideological goals over foundational governance. San Francisco, Portland, and parts of Los Angeles have seen:
Open-air drug markets
Homeless encampments outside museums and hotels
Businesses closing due to theft and vandalism
This climate has produced what critics call an “anti-tourist urbanism”—a model where visitors are expected to tolerate political instability and degraded living conditions as proof of their moral virtue.
IV. The Strong Dollar: A Financial Disincentive
Even if a tourist were willing to overlook the social dysfunction, they face another hurdle: the surging strength of the U.S. dollar.
A. Currency Exchange Impact
The dollar has gained substantial value relative to currencies such as:
The Euro (EUR)
The Japanese Yen (JPY)
The British Pound (GBP)
Most Latin American currencies (MXN, BRL, ARS)
This makes every dollar spent in the U.S. significantly more expensive for foreign visitors. A European tourist may find their vacation cost 30-50% more compared to pre-2019 levels, simply due to exchange rate shifts.
B. Cost vs. Experience Calculation
When a tourist calculates the high costs (hotels, food, entertainment) and weighs them against the risks (crime, protests, sanitation issues), many conclude that cities like Paris, Tokyo, or even Dubai provide a better return on tourism investment.
V. Global Perception and Media Optics
Foreign media outlets have repeatedly highlighted the decline of U.S. cities. Viral videos showing:
Shoplifting mobs
Tourists being robbed
Riots in downtown areas
...have cast doubt on America’s appeal as a safe and orderly destination.
In countries like Japan and Germany, travel advisories have quietly been raised for certain U.S. urban areas. The U.S. is now perceived in some foreign forums as a “nation in managed decline.”
VI. Policy and Recovery Recommendations
To reverse this trend, U.S. cities must confront the reality that:
Tourists are not ideological allies; they are customers expecting value and safety.
Policing and sanitation are not optional but foundational.
Currency strength must be countered with competitive offerings—visa ease, hotel deals, cultural incentives.
Federal support may help, but cities must reorient themselves toward civic pride over ideological performance.
VII. Conclusion
The decline in tourism in America's once-iconic cities is not due to border enforcement or right-wing immigration policies—it is due to a confluence of failed urban management, unchecked political radicalism, and financial disincentives. If cities wish to reclaim their place as global destinations, they must acknowledge these hard truths and commit to a reversal of the policies and optics that have driven visitors away.
Sources:
U.S. Travel Association data
CBP and ESTA processing reports
Global currency exchange analysis (IMF, May 2025)
Foreign press and travel advisory updates (Japan, UK, EU)
NYC & Company, San Francisco Travel 2024-25 reports