Video of the Day: Your East Side Moment of Zen
The Big Pink @ El Rey Theatre 11/18/09
If You've Got the Time: Sunday Brunch @ Casa del Mar
The Great L.A. Walk Treks Adams & Washington Today
They Might Be Giants @ Royce Hall 11/14/09
The Bush era of ICE raids are over. That, however, does not mean ICE is on the fritz. In what the New York Times calls "a showcase for the Obama administration’s effort to reduce illegal immigration," companies are being forced to "to dismiss unauthorized workers."
For American Apparel in downtown Los Angeles (you know their immigration slogan, "Legalize L.A."), that means about a quarter of its workforce, about 1,800 employees. A 17-month federal investigation found that there were "irregularities in the identity documents the workers presented when they were hired."
People are scratching their heads on why American Apparel, which is the antithesis of a company that exploits illegal workers with bad conditions and extremely low wages (AA pays higher than normal wages, gives health benefits). Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called the move "devastating" and in a follow up editorial, the New York Times called this solution ludicrous:
President Obama and Ms. Napolitano inherited a failed immigration policy. They have promised do better in setting priorities, hunting down abusive employers and pressing for comprehensive immigration reform that will give workers hope and a path to legalization.A crackdown that forces 1,800 taxpaying would-be Americans into joblessness in a dismal economy is a law-enforcement victory only in the bitterest, narrowest sense. As a solution to the problem of unauthorized workers — 1,800 down, millions to go — it’s ludicrous.
In a letter posted on American Apparel's website CEO Dov Charney wrote:
Although some of you are leaving the company, I want you all to know that when you are able to get your immigration papers in order, you will be given priority treatment, in terms of being interviewed for future positions with the company.I am deeply disappointed that the Obama administration has failed to bring about immigration reform. Whereas I know he has the intention to do so, getting the job done is another story. Let’s not forget that George Bush wanted to bring about immigration reform, but could not get it done. Ironically, the rallying cry of the Obama campaign was the words of Cesar Chavez, “Yes we can” or “Si se puede”, which inspired so many people, particularly Latinos in the recent election.
It is my belief that immigrants bring prosperity to any economy. They become motivated workers, and they sometimes become motivated business owners like me. They bring fresh ideas, optimism, and passion to any economy and they help contribute to a prosperous future.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
re: "the antithesis of a company that exploits illegal workers with bad conditions and extremely low wages"
As it always is, thsy'll start to enforce the law in the best places to work for, that way it'll be easier to do the same in the shitholes.
Not necessarily. The best places to work for usually keep excellent records and are ready to comply with requests, making them easy targets for big numbers. This is the case with American Apparel.
Car washes, on the other hand, and you have horrible conditions with people that aren't on the book and owners that don't comply with requests. Much harder to squeeze numbers out of them.
Paul is right. The reason they were able to go after American Apparel
is because their name is on the side of a huge building. Nobody knows
where the Forever 21 factory is because they're spread out all over
Los Angeles in little nooks and crannies. Btw, Dov wrote a rather
heart warming post a few months ago during an immigration march. It's
probably another reason he was a target.
http://www.americanapparel.net/presscenter/dailyupdate/dailyUp.asp?d=30&t=1848
Cracking down on employers, because the economy is so strong right now. The crime... working without government permission.
The Obama Administration needs to grow some balls on this issue. It's unfair to employers to demand they become an extension of ICE, it's inhumane to workers to be thrown out of work because of the stupidity of immigration law, and it's insane to further put a drag on the economy by effectively shutting down working businesses, which affects us all.
One of the major problems with illegal immigration is identity theft - hence the continued crack down. I glad to see that Obama has the balls to do whats right here.
Nonsense. If there were actual harm caused by identity theft, ICE should have prosecuted the individuals responsible. Instead, there was the possibility of identity discrepancies, so it determined that strongarming the company to fire employees was appropriate. Despite no allegation of actual harm caused to person or property. Just imagine the government forcing your employer to fire everyone because they claim to have knowledge that some of the employees have been smoking pot. No actual harm was caused, but prosecuting an infraction of the law must be discouraged, for the sake of the law flexing it's muscle.
We are on the verge of a major breakthrough with the illegal immigration deterrent program E-Verify. Washington has extended E-Verify to the end of October, but that is not enough for the 10 million plus jobless American workers. The stamp of approval of E-Verify has been recognized by the hundreds of thousands, or perchance millions of citizens and legal employees whose innumerable numbers have been disenfranchised by illegal alien labor. An apparel firm was raided by ICE and 1800 workers who are illegal have been fired, unless they can be positively accepted as having the right legal status? Unbelievable! Now without further adieu, we must lambaste the politicians until they make E-Verify permanent? It should be placed on the peak list of interior enforcement tools, and everybody who gets a pay check should be verified as part of the legal workforce.
A huge number of suspected open border players, thought the courts would kill it as unconstitutional, or at least delay it? An amendment was presented by Sen. David Vitter that prevents any further delays in the implementation of the Social Security Administration’s No-Match-letter program. An amendment was also offered by Sen. Jeff Sessions that requires a permanent re-authorization of the application. The usual culprits tried to table the Sen. Sessions E-Verify amendment, but the motion failed and eventually passed. We have dubious decision makers in DC, who are not looking-out for the man/women in the street? This became very blatantly obvious in the stimulus bill, when no language omitted illegal workers from gaining at least 300.000 jobs in construction and other industries. The 247 G law is another successful police program, to identify illegal immigrants on the streets of our communities and highways. This law could be on the chopping block, as well as the ICE raids on pariah businesses. With modifications E-verify could detect illegal aliens applying for drivers licenses, car insurance, home mortgages, health care and much more? LET THE BLOODY EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE INSTIGATED THIS IMMIGRATION MESS--PAY FOR IT
Both California and Nevada's lawmakers have a high percentage of illegal alien populace, so they are indebted not to enforce immigration laws. We as voters must transfer our frustration and anger to those who represent us at 202-224-3121. A continuous barrage of irate voters has upset the politician’s applecart in their offices, demanding change? You will only discover the true patriotic American politicians by going to and examining their immigration grades at NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIAL WATCH & for OVERPOPULATION statistics CAPSWEB. If we hesitate about these issues, all is lost, and the anti-sovereignty groups will take away our jobs, freedoms. If you really want to view the absolute appalling state our roads, bridges, dams and drinking water structure, watch "The Crumbling of America." The History channel has been illuminating the complete and utter indifference, while we financially support the world, wars and illegal immigrants for the business community.
Starting in with "the Bush era ICE raids are over," is a little misleading. Bush didn't do much of anything about illegal immigration either. The answer is to make it as miserable as possible for these intruders so they'll get the message and leave. This Obama action is at least a step in the right direction.
If property forfeiture is good enough for narco prosecutions and the animal rights nazis....it ought to be good enough for ICE to use against unscrupulous employers who hire illegal foreign nationals........oh wait....that might hinder the Left's plan to destroy America's working class.....and....it might cause Mexico to actually have to provide some kind of oppurtunity for her own people............