Posted on 12/06/2007 1:07:46 AM PST by Tennessee Nana
SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. - A hidden camera investigation conducted by NewsChannel 5 revealed Springfield's biggest employer may be the biggest offender when it comes to hiring undocumented immigrants.
Electrolux is one of the largest manufacturing plants in Middle Tennessee.
It employs thousands of workers.
But a NewsChannel 5 investigation uncovered some disturbing facts about many of those employees.
From city leaders to factory employees, several people said the same thing about Electrolux. They said illegal immigrants, not Americans, comprise a large portion of its workforce.
Three years ago, the company came to Robertson County and local residents were excited about the hundreds of new jobs it would bring.
"They tend to project a family-oriented business here," said an employee.
Its opening was seen as a surefire boost to the local economy.
"You know they care so it's a perfect place for a single mom to be," said an employee.
But how many of those jobs went to American workers?
"This is what Springfield, Robertson County is," said Amanda Clack, a former employee. "They are taking over."
Clack few positions went to Americans.
She claims Electrolux is a big draw for immigrants.
"Ninety percent of that plant is Mexicans," she said. "Maybe 5 percent white, 5 percent black."
"There's only two people next to me who speak English, the rest of them are Hispanic around me," said an employee.
"They constantly want to say we're going to go to Mexico,' another employee said. "Why go to Mexico, when Mexico is here."
To get hired at Electrolux, applicants first go through a staffing agency called Randstad. Hiring occurs inside a trailer next to the plant. Four people equipped with hidden cameras went to the trailer to see what happens.
One person ventured into Randstad under the premise that she recently arrived in this country and needed a job.
While waiting to fill out paperwork, she met a man who was reapplying.
He allegedly reapplied using fake documentations.
The man told the decoy about someone he knew who provided fake documents.
Outside the trailer, he told her how much.
"Around $900 you will get a birth certificate, a social security number from Puerto Rico," he said. "It has a name and address and everything."
He showed her his own fake state identification.
"It's easy to get the job, and you don't have to speak English," he said.
Around town, the decoys sent by NewsChannel 5 learned Electrolux is the best place to work for undocumented immigrants.
"It's around $800 to get a social security number," one man said.
They also learned about a Puerto Rican black market in which identities are bought and sold.
No one seems to care if they're caught.
"They are reapplying because they are getting fired, and then they are reapplying with other documentations, and then getting hired again," said one decoy.
An applicant works for Randstad, but at Electrolux, for the first three while their papers are being verified.
"There's plenty of people there," one man said. "Some that will be fired today and they go and buy different papers, and then they go either to a different shift, or the same shift."
"Now, they need a lot of people, but there's no people to hire," he said. "And yes, they know those documents do not belong to us."
Randstad and Electrolux denied anything like this goes on.
But one man who urged the undercover decoy to apply with Randstad, saying Randstad knew his papers were fake, but rehired him anyway.
"Every one of us goes there and nothing happens," he said. "Don't be afraid. I worked there three years and nothing happened."
The situation at Electrolux has left many in Springfield with a familiar frustration.
"Since the Mexicans will work for lower amounts of money, they will hire them, and then leaving us out here, not being able to find a job," Clack said.
Randstad denies any wrongdoing.
A spokeswoman said they have an outside company that also checks to make sure the documents they receive are real. Springfield City Manager Paul Nutting said what the investigation revealed wasn't something new to him.
He said he's known about this issue for years and it's had a negative impact on Springfield.
In an interview Thursday, he discusses the Electrolux situation.
Electrolux also defended its hiring practices in a statement.
"We are confident that this process of independently verifying employee documentation minimizes the chances of undocumented workers slipping through," according to a written statement from a spokesman. "If any should, they eventually will be identified, and fired."
PING
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That's a good idea. I didn't know there was such a thing, but if they have them they should plant them all along the border, not just in Tennessee.
So much for the jobs Americans won't do.
Deport, deport, deport. How many times do the people need to demand it before the idiots in Washington will respond?
Someone give me the I.C.E. local tip line or e mail address and I will report them ASAP. Gladly. I will send the clip of the news to them.
What a load of BS. So much for American sovereignty. The GOP has a whole “top tier” of presidential hopefuls who haven’t done a thing to stop the illegal invasion. No, on the contrary, they aided the invasion through apathy, and some by design.
Is illegal immigration really a big issue with Americans? If it were, wouldn’t we be trying to elect a leader who had actually done something about it? Road to the WH rhetoric and position papers won’t do it. A gullible GOP electorate, if they are truly concerned about illegal immigration sure seem to believe those candidates will do the job. If they truly believe these candidates, I own this place called Fort Knox that I am willing to let go for pennies on the dollar. Freepmail me, I am sure we can work out a deal.
"Electrolux, Don't Shut Down!"
And that is EXACTLY what should happen, and the pinstripe, gated community set at the top of the pyramid should all do some time in the slammer.
Get AMERICANS to fill those jobs. Gladly!
Is he better on the illegal immigration issue than Fred Thompson?
Hunter is the real deal. Thompson is a John come lately!!
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/07/26/fred-thompson-and-spencer-abraham-bad-combo/
"Seven arrested in Springfield in prostitution sting By Eric Miller Robertson (Tennessee) County Times 12/2007) Seven men were arrested in a prostitution sting last week. Springfield Police worked with the Gallatin Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the operation, which took place on the night of Thursday, Nov. 29. The sting was conducted in the area of 18th Avenue in Springfield following complaints of prostitution in that area, according to a report released by Springfield police. The following men were charged with patronizing prostitution after soliciting an undercover agent for sex: Mario Ramos-Hernandez, 28, of Woodland Street, Manuel Rodriguez-Martinez, 22, of Mantlo Street, David Cabballero-Guzman, 18, of Woodland Street, Santiago Salas-Bravo, 25, of North Brown Street, and Emir Ortiz-Roberto, 24, of 22nd Avenue. Two juvenile males were also charged with patronizing prostitution, but their names have not been released. The adults all have bonds set at $1,500 and are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on March 3 at 9 a.m. Both juveniles will appear in Juvenile Court on Jan. 8 at 9 a.m."
Yep! Real "Tennessee Volunteers" there for you. Doing the job Americans won't do.
DO THEY EVEN HEAR US OUT HERE IN FLYOVER COUNTRY?? ENOUGH!! This is going on right in the heartland of America. Let us take our country back!
Perhaps the same. He is EXCELLENT on military issues and particularly China/North Korea issues—extremely knowledgeable—which is half the battle. That makes it a royal flush for me, at least.
Big difference between there and eastern Tennessee, Knoxville area, where a lot of the Conservatives reside.
SOME of us are trying to elect a leader who will do something about it. But it's an uphill battle when the party leadership, in lockstep with the liberal mainstream media, is fighting against the will of the people.
When was the last time you read a front-page article in a major newspaper describing the real cost of illegal immigration?
Why do you think that the Republcian fund-raising has been so weak of late?
Electrolux sucks!
This is a ping list promoting Immigration Enforcement and Congressional Reform.
If you wish to be added or removed from this ping list, please contact me.
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I’m sure they save enough money hiring illegals to pay any fines. The only way to stop this is to make sure employers do jail time.
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