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Vol. 73/No. 28      July 27, 2009

 
U.S. gov’t announces
new attack on immigrants
 
BY SETH GALINSKY  
In a new attack on undocumented workers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced July 8 that all businesses with U.S. government contracts above $100,000 will have to use the federal E-verify system. The rules, which take effect September 8, require bosses check the legal status, not only of new hires, but all current employees.

A national “work” ID card is among the proposals being raised by U.S. senator Charles Schumer. Democrats in Congress tapped the senator to draft an “immigration reform” bill.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, said the “modern and effective” rules would be applied to 170,000 contractors who employ 4 million workers. Currently, more than 134,000 U.S. companies voluntarily participate in E-verify, which checks work status in a matter of seconds through the Internet.

At the same time, Napolitano rescinded a 2007 rule that would have sent “no-match” letters to 140,000 businesses. The rule, which would warn the companies to fire 9 million workers accused of using invalid Social Security numbers, has been tied up in court. However, an amendment to a Homeland Security spending bill that would require the letters be sent is making its way through Congress.

Threatening to fine businesses that hire undocumented workers and increase the number of cops on the U.S.-Mexico border was at the center of Barack Obama’s immigration plan during his campaign for president.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already increased the auditing of I-9 employment forms at hundreds of companies. After an ICE audit of Los Angles-based American Apparel questioned the right to work of many employees, the company agreed to fire up to 1,800 workers if they don’t produce proof they are in the United States legally.

The Obama administration has been driving ahead on increased enforcement of anti-immigrant laws without high-profile immigration raids. Among the measures taken are: sending more cops as part of the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border, continued construction of a fence along the border, “accelerating” the deportation of immigrants caught up in U.S. jails, and expansion of “287(g) programs” that give local police the right to act as immigration cops.

Emigration from Mexico for the year ending August 2008 declined 25 percent compared to the previous year, due to rising U.S. unemployment and anti-immigrant crackdowns.
 
 
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