Friday, April 21, 2006
Immigration Crackdown: Employer Sanctions
The news wires have been abuzz in the last week with a stunning number of arrests of employers of illegal aliens (undocumented workers). These employers face real jail time as well as substantial fines. The illegal aliens arrested face prompt deportation hearings.
IFCO Systems: Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today a major initiative targeting employers of illegal aliens. Chertoff promises tough workplace enforcement, coupled with tough criminal penalties against company managers. The sweeping raids are just the lastest in a series of high profile workplace enforcment efforts. 1200 undocumented workers were arrested in raids of 40 facilities in 26 states. Seven current and former managers of German-based IFCO Systems were arrested in the sting operation and face criminal charges.
Kawasaki restaurants: Two Baltimore sushi restaurant operators plead guilty April 14to conspiracy to commit alien harboring and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, in connection with the employment of illegal aliens of various nationalities in residences and restaurants they owned and rented.
HV Connect: A Clevelend Ohio temporary employment service was charged with immigration violations also, uncovered in the course of a terrorism investigation. Operators face charges of illegal employment, harboring and money laundering.
Wal-Mart: The Justice Department, in the largest worksite enforcement action in U.S. history, announced an $11 million settlement with Wal-Mart last year as a result of a criminal investigation into the alleged hiring of illegal immigrants by contactors providing cleaning services to the company's stores across the country.
Domestic Slavery: A Montgomery County MD woman, Adaobi Stella Udeozor, was sentenced to 7 years in jail Wednesday after being convicted in Federal court for conspiracy and harboring a juvenile alien for financial gain. The victim was forced to baby sit 6 children and perform other household tasks for nearly 5 years. The victim was also raped by the Udeozor's ex-husband, George Udeozor. The judge ordered Ms. Udeozor to pay back wages/restitution of $110,249 to her victim.
The tone and tenor of the immigration debate is increasingly demanding solutions. The impact on household employment and families who employ illegal aliens as nannies and housekeepers remains to be seen. For more information on the legal requirements for hiring a domestic worker, visit the HomeWork Solutions website and read their FAQ.
IFCO Systems: Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today a major initiative targeting employers of illegal aliens. Chertoff promises tough workplace enforcement, coupled with tough criminal penalties against company managers. The sweeping raids are just the lastest in a series of high profile workplace enforcment efforts. 1200 undocumented workers were arrested in raids of 40 facilities in 26 states. Seven current and former managers of German-based IFCO Systems were arrested in the sting operation and face criminal charges.
Kawasaki restaurants: Two Baltimore sushi restaurant operators plead guilty April 14to conspiracy to commit alien harboring and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, in connection with the employment of illegal aliens of various nationalities in residences and restaurants they owned and rented.
HV Connect: A Clevelend Ohio temporary employment service was charged with immigration violations also, uncovered in the course of a terrorism investigation. Operators face charges of illegal employment, harboring and money laundering.
Wal-Mart: The Justice Department, in the largest worksite enforcement action in U.S. history, announced an $11 million settlement with Wal-Mart last year as a result of a criminal investigation into the alleged hiring of illegal immigrants by contactors providing cleaning services to the company's stores across the country.
Domestic Slavery: A Montgomery County MD woman, Adaobi Stella Udeozor, was sentenced to 7 years in jail Wednesday after being convicted in Federal court for conspiracy and harboring a juvenile alien for financial gain. The victim was forced to baby sit 6 children and perform other household tasks for nearly 5 years. The victim was also raped by the Udeozor's ex-husband, George Udeozor. The judge ordered Ms. Udeozor to pay back wages/restitution of $110,249 to her victim.
The tone and tenor of the immigration debate is increasingly demanding solutions. The impact on household employment and families who employ illegal aliens as nannies and housekeepers remains to be seen. For more information on the legal requirements for hiring a domestic worker, visit the HomeWork Solutions website and read their FAQ.
