Contractors Often Play a Key Role in the Hiring of Illegal Immigrants

LA Times ^ | 4/15/06 | Anna Gorman

[NormsRevenge]

When federal authorities catch illegal immigrants on the job, some U.S. employers have a ready explanation for how they came to be hired: It wasn't us. It was a contractor.

Although these middlemen, including recruiters and temporary agencies, do not figure prominently in the current debate over illegal immigration, they are playing an increasingly significant role in hiring and managing the nation's workforce. Especially in California, an untold number of contractors employ immigrants — legal and illegal — in such industries as construction, janitorial service, hospitality and agriculture.

For now, work site raids and prosecution are infrequent, except where immigration authorities perceive a national security risk. But even as pressure builds in Congress to crack down on the hiring of undocumented workers, the involvement of contractors and subcontractors could make enforcement nearly impossible, labor experts, government officials and immigration policy critics say.

Under current federal law, companies face criminal or civil sanctions only if they knowingly employ undocumented workers.

--snip--

Whether employers invoke the use of contractors as a defense or not, immigration authorities often don't go after the employer when a contractor is involved.

For instance, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 17 undocumented workers in November at the U.S. Navy base on North Island in San Diego. But the agency is not taking aim at the Navy, saying there is no evidence that it knew the workers were undocumented. ...

--snip--

Golden State Fence Vice President Gary Hansen said the company did what it was required to do by law — check for documents and complete the required paperwork — but that "something went wrong." The Riverside-based company now participates in a voluntary employee verification program run by the government. "It takes the doubt out," Hansen said.

[NormsRevenge]

Especially in California, an untold number of contractors employ immigrants — legal and illegal — in such industries as construction, janitorial service, hospitality and agriculture.

--

Help me out folks.

Years ago, the bracero program allowed farm workers entry only if Im not mistaken for agricultural entities only.

I don't think they were allowed to work in any other industry. I know the article seems to imply otherwise.

After the 1986 amnesty, I believe a lot of folks here illegally who had crossed over into other industries were allowed to continue to do so, and let businesses off the hook for hiring them, but imposed new rules and such in the future ..

After the reform act of 1996, I don't think changes were made to restrict where illegals worked at all.

Today , they continue to work in industries that many other legal 'Americans' would work if they weren't undercut by cheap labor by the busfull and business owners who aren't dumb and seek as much profit as they can make.

The question I have is,,,

What happened to keeping illegals down on the farm, to borrow an old phrase about how ya gonna keep the boys on the farm after they see the bright lights of gay Paree?

[bill1952]

Hey, here in Florida, the illegals often ARE the contractors.

These are cards left on cars all over parking lots of home depots and such.

The numbers change all of the time. - the cards are hand cut and inkjet printed at a home computer.

Notice the total absence of any license or insurance numbers - as required by law on all cards and ads. - When you call they provide bogus numbers. I've smudged out the numbers because I have provided the cards to Fl LE. - nothing will be done

The workers get out of a van in the morning and work until they are done. Then they play soccer in the street until the van arrives to pick them up again. - Not one speaks English.

There are dozens of such outfits here. - They come and go.

[Jim_Curtis]

They went after walmart for hiring invaders via contract labor so the feds can bust any business that uses this illegal scheme.

$10,000 fine to both the contractor and the business for each illegal employee will cure the problem real quick.

[NormsRevenge]

remodelation ? lolol

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Methinks the spirit of 1846 needs to be revived.

[bill1952]

Yeah, dead giveaway. :^)

BTW, I used to be a roofing contractor here - 11 years - before the Mexicans ran me and 17 employees out.

Anyone who thinks that they are here taking jobs that Americans don't want is an ignorant fool.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

The Attorney General can stop illegal immigration in 12 months or less. We don't have to put millions of illegals in prison, AND we don't have to pay to send them back. They will go home on their own. Just prosecute a few hundred, at most a thousand contractors who are hiring illegals! We have plenty of room in federal penitentiaries for that many. Once the proscution is taken seriously (it would only take a few highly publicized cases), the jobs will dry up and the illegals will be knocking themselves over trying to get back to Mexico, free of charge to the U.S. taxpayer.

But if not, I'm with you, remember 1846 and the Halls of Montezuma! I'd just as soon see the Army "nation-building" in Mexico City as Baghdad!

[Conservative4Ever]

Remodelation house?? too funny....

[DumpsterDiver]

What happened to keeping illegals down on the farm, to borrow an old phrase about how ya gonna keep the boys on the farm after they see the bright lights of gay Paree?

Over the years it became apparent to both employers, and illegals too, that the Feds were not going to enforce immigration laws. Eventually, the Mexicans moved off of the farm and into other occupations. Nobody really enjoys doing stoop labor at low wages when there are other opportunities for them.

Agriculture assumed that they had carte blanche when it came to hiring illegals, paying low wages and not having their illegal hiring practices prosecuted. They were in favor of illegals for themselves, but not for anyone else. It has come back to bite them in the butt and most illegals have moved on to greener pastures.

There are just so many work visas available for agricultural workers and I guess it's not enough since growers keep complaining about not having enough workers. "Who's gonna pick my crops now that Mexicans won't do the jobs that Mexicans won't do?

[newzjunkey]

We have such outfits in CA too. Often, again, with no license numbers which is the tip off.

[newzjunkey]

Anyone who thinks that they are here taking jobs that Americans don't want is an ignorant fool.

Mr. President, bill1952 has your number!

[ears_to_hear]

A relative that works for the US Border patrol on the Northern border knew there were illegals working on his new home in Michigan.

He never wore his uniform around his home site and spoke spanish to the workers when he needed to know something.

It was more important that his home be completed in a timely manner than he should do his job I guess.

The influx of illegal day labor has so depressed the wages of construction workers they are making the same real wages of construction workers in 1964.

[ears_to_hear]

Did you see what the fool Mc Cain said?

He said no American would pick lettuce for a season even if it paid $50 an hour. That should tell you what regard we are held in by the Republican party

[bill1952]

Oh yeah I heard him. I also heard a bunch of people shouting, "I'll take it!" but apparently that brush with reality didn't help him a bit.

Nor Bush, as far as I can see.

Heck, millions of Americans would go there for that money

[ears_to_hear]

This guy can forget an appeal to his federal representatives ( Schumer and Clinton ), they are looking for the money of the corporations and the votes of the illegals.

[TigersEye]

The article sounds like weak excuses to me. "Oh, my, it's too hard to fix the problem...whine, whine, whine..."

[TigersEye]

Senator John McCain Offering $50 an hour to pick lettuce!

This thread has several phone numbers for McCain's offices. Call them and request information about his $50 p. hr. lettuce picking jobs. Keep his staff busy answering for his duplicity.

You'll find out on the thread that the season is about 14-18 wks long in the winter. It would net you about $28,000 to $34,000 working 40 hr. weeks. If it was real I would be doing it. I couldn't make that in a year here in construction thanks to all the illegals in the workforce.

[HiJinx]

Jobs Americans Won't Do Ping!

And it just keeps getting better....! Worse?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Section 4 - Republican government

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

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We lose more of our Constitutional Republic every time it is ignored and people say we are a democracy (mob rule).