Listen
16:28
Stealth Immigration Raid in Vernon
The scene was unconventional at Overhill Farms food-processing plant in Vernon. There wasn't a crew INS officials waiting at the door waiting for fleeing illegal immigrants. No, this immigration raid was a little stealthier. More than 200 workers at the plant lost their jobs after an IRS audit of Social Security numbers. Since 2007 the Department of Homeland Security has introduced E-Verify. The program is a way for employers to confirm the legal status of new employees. The system was created to crack down on fake and stolen Social Security numbers. Yet, what happens next for the fired workers?
The scene was unconventional at Overhill Farms food-processing plant in Vernon. There wasn't a crew INS officials waiting at the door waiting for fleeing illegal immigrants. No, this immigration raid was a little stealthier. More than 200 workers at the plant lost their jobs after an IRS audit of Social Security numbers. Since 2007 the Department of Homeland Security has introduced E-Verify. The program is a way for employers to confirm the legal status of new employees. The system was created to crack down on fake and stolen Social Security numbers. Yet, what happens next for the fired workers?
Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times staff writer