US nabs 1,187 undocumented workers, six bosses

[*Robert* 2]

A nationwide crackdown has netted 1,187 undocumented workers, two weeks after Congress fumbled immigration reform and immigrants choked US streets demanding amnesty, officials said.

Immigration officials raided 40 locations of Houston-based pallet-making company IFCO in 26 states on Wednesday, arresting six former and current IFCO mangers who were charged with knowingly hiring undocumented workers. They could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, officials said.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who now oversees immigration enforcement, told reporters at a press conference that the surprise raids against IFCO had occurred on Wednesday.

"Employers and workers alike should be on notice that the status quo has changed," Chertoff said. "This department has no patience for employers who tolerate or perpetuate a shadow economy," he said.

The company hired a government informant, and then sent him to recruit other undocumented workers and obtain for them falsified work documents, according to officials.

Of IFCO's 5,800 workers, more than half carried invalid work papers, immigration officials said.

An estimated 12 million undocumented foreigners live in the United States, and recent bids by Congress to define a policy triggered widespread protests by pro-immigrant and Hispanic groups.

Millions of undocumented workers marched earlier this month in US cities nationwide to pressure Congress for favorable reforms.

However, Congress could not agree on a path to follow. President George W. Bush promoted a guest-worker program that would have given even those who had entered illegally a chance at eventual citizenship.

However, even members of his own Republican Party could not agree. Many sought to impose criminal penalties for unapproved entries and a wall along much of Mexico's 3,000 kilometer (2,000 mile) US border, measures that were approved in the House of Representatives.

In the end, Senate action was deadlocked on April 7, but will take up the matter next week.

Since then, the US state of Georgia enacted one of the toughest immigration laws in the United States, requiring employers to verify the status of workers before hiring them and penalizing those who hire undocumented workers.

The law requires employers to verify immigration status for anyone seeking state social benefits, public jobs or government contracts, with possible 20 year sentences for non-compliance.

Immigrants' rights advocates have also turned up the heat, announcing a May 1 Great American Boycott: no work, no shopping, no school.

Democratic New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said the recent mass mobilizations were "bigger than the civil rights movement in the '60s. This is huge."

He said the historic protests put pressure on US lawmakers who are considering election-year reforms in immigration laws.

In 2003, US officials arrested 250 undocumented workers at a Wal-Mart night cleaning service in 21 states.

[Jasman0717 9]

[*Robert* 2]

Thought it would go well with the topics lately!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yeah, they picked up 60 some folks here in Sharonville just north of Cincinnati. With the exception of 5, they're all out with a date to appear before an immigration judge. I can already see them line up to make sure they get there on time. Can you see them, too? Can you?

What a crock! They want to make people believe that the gov't is finally doing something so public resistance against the envisioned amnesty can be broken. Once that's accomplished and the amnesty is passed, it'll be back to business as usual.

I ain't buying the "we're cracking down" story.

Edited April 22, 2006 by ET-US2004

[*Robert* 2]

Yeah, they picked up 60 some folks here in Sharonville just north of Cincinnati. With the exception of 5, they're all out with a date to appear before an immigration judge. I can already see them line up to make sure they get there on time. Can you see them, too? Can you?

What a crock! They want to make people believe that the gov't is finally doing something so public resistance against the envisioned amnesty can be broken. Once that's accomplished and the amnesty is passed, it'll be back to business as usual.

I ain't buying the "we're cracking down" story.

It is a little ridiculous to expect someone who's here illegaly to show up at the courthouse if they aren't locked up!

[Jasman0717 9]

Yeah, they picked up 60 some folks here in Sharonville just north of Cincinnati. With the exception of 5, they're all out with a date to appear before an immigration judge. I can already see them line up to make sure they get there on time. Can you see them, too? Can you?

What a crock! They want to make people believe that the gov't is finally doing something so public resistance against the envisioned amnesty can be broken. Once that's accomplished and the amnesty is passed, it'll be back to business as usual.

I ain't buying the "we're cracking down" story.

It is a little ridiculous to expect someone who's here illegaly to show up at the courthouse if they aren't locked up!

[iceyspots 0]

Well... does anyone think that the U.S Government has the resources to search down and apprehend the people who don't show up for their immigration court dates? Time to call Dog the bounty hunter... lol

[slim 1,525]

Is IFCO Sharonville hiring now?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Time to call Dog the bounty hunter... lol

Bounty hunter? Contract the fcuking knuckle busting squads of the loan shark industry. That industry is all mingled up with the politicians anyway and that sort of alliance will get people to line up at court any day.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

start hitting the businesses where it hurts and they'll quit that #######

[*Robert* 2]

Time to call Dog the bounty hunter... lol

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

similar story

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...topic=10321&hl=

[I'm Gone 60]

It's all for show. Probably a big headline about arrest of illegals, but I bet it was buried if mentioned at all that they were released.

[meauxna 15]

It's all for show. Probably a big headline about arrest of illegals, but I bet it was buried if mentioned at all that they were released.

Well, the Oregonian reported that the 27 they got in Portland (including one job seeker unlucky enough to be there at the time) were sent up to detention in Tacoma, where the Immigration Court is.

Hey slim: They say the job pays a whopping $8/hour here in Portland... yup, they're probably hiring!

[Jasman0717 9]