US check leads to wave of firings

Boston Globe Staff ^ | 3/18/2003 | By Cindy Rodriguez,

[Forgiven_Sinner]

A controversial program designed to clear up millions of erroneous Social Security numbers has resulted in a wave of firings all over the country, as companies are told their workers have invalid numbers, sparking fear that some of them may be illegal immigrants.

[vpintheak]

Seal the Borders NOW! Check out www.paulreveresociety.com

[Poohbah]

That is not quite true.

Employers CAN ask to see work documents. If they see phony documents (and most of the forgeries out there are pathetic--I've seen Social Security cards printed on fax paper, for example), they have a duty to report the holder of those documents to the authorities.

[B4Ranch]

Don't count on it with the borders still being wide open!

[steve-b]

I don't see a problem, provided that the people fingered have a fair opportunity to present a defense (otherwise, perfectly legal immigrants, and even citizens, are at risk of being fired because of bureaucratic incompetence).

[csmusaret]

Where does it say anyone got deported? I think most of them probably went to work down the street right away. They should have been arrested and deported, but it doesn't appear that they were. Sad.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

Yet employers are required to ask for ID to prove the prospective employee is legally allowed to work in the US.

What idiots pass these contradictary laws?

Teresa

[Regulator]

It's wishful thinking on the part of Cindy Rodriguez. Employers not only can ask about "status", they are required to. The only thing that they cannot do is deny employment based on their own evaluation of the "documents"; they are supposed to accept them at face value. If they think they are fraudulent, they should report them to BICE. This page explains it all: BICE FAQ page

[HamiltonJay]

Under federal law, employers may not ask their workers about their immigration status, but they are not supposed to knowingly employ illegal immigrants and can be fined if caught.

What kind of nonsense is this? They may not ask exact immigration status, but I haven't worked for one company that didn't explicitely ask if I was legally authorized to work in the United States, and why on their application... what nonsense.

[Mudbug]

Under federal law, employers may not ask their workers about their immigration status.

This is incorrect. Employers are required to verify eligibility for employment using INS Form I-9 at the time of hire. The form includes an attestation that from the employee that he is "(1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a lawful permanent resident alien (Alien #A______), or (3) an alien authorized to work until __/__/__ (Alien # or Admission #)____________."

[lavaroise]

But the impact has fallen far more heavily on illegal immigrants, many of whom apply for jobs with false numbers.

My oh my, the US might not get ripped off. What a terrible thing. (sarcasm)

[BJClinton]

Don't count on it with the borders still being wide open!

I was referring to the fact that visa approval and border control are seperated now. The former can be streamlined and the later properly enforced.

[B4Ranch]

Keep wishing for efficiant government. I've been doing that for 40 years.

[BJClinton]

Keep wishing for efficiant government.

LOL. It may be laying the groundwork for the future. Maybe, if we get a 60 seat Senate majority in 2004...C'mon, let me hope.

[mabelkitty]

These companies violated Federal Law in the completion of any employee I-9 form.

You must view the documents, and it's apparent these people did not.

[mabelkitty]

That is misleading.

You cannot ask them if they are a U.S. citizen (that would be discriminatory), but you can ask them if they are eligible to work in the United States.

[mabelkitty]

Legal immigrants are exempt from paying taxes, and it varies by their documentation.

These folks were claiming to be legal citizens, so under that claim, all taxes would have been taken out.

[mabelkitty]

You don't ask that question - that is the part the employee must fill out and answer that question, then sign that they told the truth.

You do Part B, which is completing the eligibility requirements by writing down which documents you viewed and then signing that you are telling the truth.

A lie by either party is a Federal violation.

[FryingPan101]

Wow. I agree with you.

[Once-Ler]

"Legal immigrants are exempt from paying taxes."

Legal immigrants are not exempt from playing taxes. All who work in the US pay taxes. Where in the world did you get a notion like that?

This story states that $345 billion was collected by the government. Your statement was proven false before you wrote it on this thread. These illegal immigrants paid federal, state, and local income taxes along with SS Medicare and unemployment insurance. They pay taxes when they buy food and rent housing.

Seeing how all the baby boomers are expecting me to pay for their healthcare and retirement, I'm happy for the help from my fellow latino suckers.

[mabelkitty]

It depends on what status they hold. If they are here on a student visa, they don't pay taxes, etc.