[traditionalist]

I can understand why companies don't want to become immigration police, but in this day and age it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult to verify a SSN for every applicant, even on an after-hired basis if necessary. I know it smacks of Big Brother, but GMAB, everybody's Social Security Number is not exactly a secret any more.

Absolutely right. The only trouble is that Wal-Mart could not do this since they were not the employer.

[litany_of_lies]

I indeed realize that WM was subcontracting, and that it really isn't WM's job to verify the immigration status of subcontract employees.

A company I do work with through another person requires HER to get an I-9 from all of HER subcontractors (NOT employees), and to attest that she has done so. I don't think they audit her, but they have it on record that she uses only citizens. If WM did the same with this subctractor, I think they're home-free, except for a bit of bad publicity that isn't their fault. The only exposure is if it can be proven that WM managers knew the sub was using illegals and did nothing-a long shot at best, IMHO (suspected doesn't count, as they are not required by law to verify the immigration status of subcontracter's employees).

The subcontractor, however, would appear to be burnt toast.