JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE' ILLEGAL

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "José Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.


José Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".


Ready? Now pay attention...


Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.


José Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. José Illegal pays no taxes. José Illegal now has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.


José Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. José Illegal still has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.


José Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. José Illegal still has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.


José Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. José Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. José Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.


Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.


José Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.


José Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.


Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.


José Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.


Joe Legal's and José Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while José Illegal's children get a government-sponsored lunch. José Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.


Joe Legal and José Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and José did not pay.


Do you get it, now?