"No charges had been filed against Swift. In a written statement, President and CEO Sam Rovit said the company has never knowingly hired illegal workers and does not condone the practice."
"Immigration officials last month informed Swift that it would remove unauthorized workers on Dec. 4, but Swift asked a federal judge to prevent agents from conducting the raid, arguing it would cause "substantial and irreparable injury" to its business."
"Swift estimated that a raid would remove up to 40 percent of its 13,000 workers. After a closed hearing, a judge on Thursday rejected Swift's request, clearing the way for the raids."
I'm sorry, but I've had ENOUGH of companies playing the "We didn't know" BS, trying to "hide behind the log" with a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy!!!
A FIRST clue is: Do they speak ENGLISH???
While LEGAL foreign immigrants/residents/visitors may not be fluent in English, most I know of at least TRY to speak English.
Maybe this will help.
http://www.swiftbrands.com/products/vap.php
My x husband is a local 880 meatcutter. Back in May I inquired on how to boycott tyson, are they under different names, store labels etc? He told me that it is impossible to eat any poultry, beef, or pork that hasn't been 'handled' by illegal aliens. He laughed and told me I'd have to become a vegetarian. But then, figure the number of fruits and vegetables that are 'handled' by aliens.
Hate to put a crimp, but thats the reality and that's why our laws must be enforced, employers punished. Those jobs they are doing in the industry could be going to our unemployed and would be a great alternative to high school grads unable to get a higher education, rather than micky d's.
"Current law limits an employer's ability to scrutinize the background and identity of new hires, and — as Swift learned first-hand — employers can, in fact, be punished for probing too deeply into applicants' backgrounds," the company said.
That was in reference to the 2000 complaint filed by the Justice Department's Special Counsel for Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices that alleged Swift engaged in a "pattern and practice" of document-based discrimination against job applicants. The department sought civil damages of $2.5 million.
The Justice Department said Swift's Worthington, Minn., plant engaged in discrimination and unfair practices when hiring U.S. citizens and lawful immigrant workers who were believed to look or sound "foreign." Justice claimed those individuals were more heavily scrutinized than others during the employment process.
After two years, Swift settled the claim for about $200,000.