All states in the United States are facing repercussions due to the glaringly uncontrolled border regulation policies of the current administration. Ohio, not exempt from this impact, is grappling with the consequences, particularly noticeable in smaller towns such as Springfield. With only 60,000 residents, the town is experiencing a substantial influx of nearly 15,000 Haitian immigrants, a sudden increase that is challenging the community.
This significant immigration surge is overwhelming facilities offering Medicaid and food assistance, putting substantial pressure on these programs. The impact of this swell is not only noticeable in social welfare services but has also caused an unexpected hike in housing prices and an alarming increase of unlicensed drivers who struggle with English traffic signage.
Currently, Ohio is grappling with an estimated presence of 143,000 undocumented immigrants — a situation the political left balks to accept as concerning. As the national administration remains unchanged in addressing the issue, it falls onto state legislators in Ohio to grapple with fiscal and public safety ramifications of this influx of undocumented immigrants.
A potential strategic solution lies in introducing a fee on anonymous international wire transactions, which are a preferred medium for illegal activities like drug and human trafficking. By targeting and making these transactions more costly, this would pack a significant financial punch to those operating beyond the law. Concurrently, funds could be directed towards local law enforcement, providing much-needed financial support.
Legislation aiming to enact this strategy has been proposed, carefully designed not to affect legal transactions such as typical bank wires or applications like Venmo. Instead, it zeroes in on cash transfers conducted through businesses that lack rigorous verification processes or remain seemingly indifferent to the background of consumers.
Under this suggested proposal, those abiding by the law could reclaim the incurred wire fees when filing their taxes. On the other hand, undocumented immigrants and criminals would bear the burden of these extra costs. This system of penalties would facilitate the fight against drug trafficking and human smuggling, which unsurprisingly are proliferating under the current ruling.
In the year 2023 alone, Ohio faced the tragic loss of more than 3,500 residents due to fentanyl poisoning; the majority of this substance entered the country illegally, aided mainly by cartels utilizing chemical ingredients sourced from China. Implementing stricter controls on wire transfers could significantly impact these trafficking networks’ profitability.
Apart from the narcotics trade, human smuggling is also a distressing issue in the U.S., with an estimated half a million victims nationwide. Ohio is not untouched by this horrifying statistic, with close to 7,000 confirmed victims. Disturbingly, children that entered the country as unaccompanied minors are sometimes ensnared in these deceitful networks and lost within a flawed system.
Never ignoring the monetary aspect of this appalling business, cartels and traffickers are raking in massive profits, estimated at about $14 million a day from human smuggling. This commerce thrives on exploiting loopholes in U.S. border regulations. Through instituting charges on wire transfers, Ohio could take a definitive step towards disrupting trafficker operations and their funding sources.
Alongside its function in attacking illegal activity, the proposed bill serves a secondary purpose — generating revenue for local law enforcement and community programs. Illegal immigration along with drug and human trafficking put overwhelming strain on Ohio’s public safety networks and social services.
A new fee, only collected from undocumented immigrants or criminal operatives, would offer a fresh source of funding for law enforcement agencies, allowing for the addressing of these multifaceted challenges without increasing the tax burden on law-abiding Ohio residents.
Looking at similar policies, there’s another state that established a 1% fee on these transactions. This approach resulted in an annual revenue of around $13 million. Given Ohio’s larger population of undocumented immigrants, it could raise up to $140 million, if the bill proposing a 7% fee passes. This substantial sum could be dedicated to mitigating the damaging effects of illegal immigration, narcotics smuggling, and human trafficking.
Proposed federal legislation seeks to impose stricter penalties and charges for those attempting to dodge the fee. Countries found assisting individuals in evading this fee could lose eligibility for U.S. foreign aid and visa waivers. Proceeds from these charges would be reinvested into bolstering border security measures.
While it’s undeniable that federal intervention is necessary, Ohio cannot afford to sit idle while waiting for it. State legislators need to proactively protect their citizens by introducing preventative measures against illegal activities. A fee on international anonymous wire transfers could be a pivotal initial step in stopping illegal financial transactions.
This proposed law would yield dual benefits — it would serve both law-abiding residents and keep illegal operations in check. Not only would it deter criminal activities, but it would also generate substantial revenue without taxing Ohio’s citizens, with the funds being repurposed to strengthen law enforcement efforts.
Ohio has an opportunity to lead in this initiative, creating a significant precedent for other states. So, what’s holding us back?