ICE raids meatpacking plant in Tennessee; 97 alleged 'illegal immigrants' arrested

[NightHawkeye]

ICE raids meatpacking plant in Tennessee; 97 immigrants arrested

Federal officials arrested 97 immigrants at a meat-processing plant in rural Tennessee on Thursday in what civil rights organizations said was the largest single workplace raid in a decade and a sign that the Trump administration is carrying out its plan to aggressively ramp up enforcement this year.
...
In a federal affidavit, IRS Special Agent Nicholas Worsham said the family-run plant is under criminal investigation for allegedly evading taxes, filing false tax returns and hiring immigrants in the country illegally.

He alleged the facility failed to report $8.4 million in wages and to pay at least $2.5 million in payroll taxes for dozens of undocumented workers.​

 

[thecolorsblend]

Illegal migrants.

 

[mark46]

The process seems to be reasonable. The COMPANY was investigated. Now, the company will be punished, as well as the illegal workers. In the past, often the workers were deported and the company went unpunished, and found more workers.

So, for me, this is a step forward. And yes, all companies should be forced to be in the federal system so that worker status can be evaluated.

 

[Hank77]

The process seems to be reasonable. The COMPANY was investigated. Now, the company will be punished, as well as the illegal workers. In the past, often the workers were deported and the company went unpunished, and found more workers.

So, for me, this is a step forward. And yes, all companies should be forced to be in the federal system so that worker status can be evaluated.

Interesting article about E-Verify, which states mandate it's use, and outcomes.

I can understand why some states don't want their individual state to mandate it, especially if they hire many low wage earners, such as resorts, restaurants, etc., because it puts them at a disadvantage to draw businesses, etc. to their state compared to states who don't and businesses may be hiring illegals. But if it is a federal mandate then no state has an advantage.

Federal E-Verify Law Would Mean Major Changes For U.S. Employers | HuffPost

 

[mark46]

Congrats to Congress. However, it seems likely that this legislation will be derailed until after the election; but, we can hope.

I agree that e-verify should be required nationally. At very least, all states should have access to the data, even if it isn't mandatory. This alone would help states a lot.

I also agree that there would be consequences to those employees who now work illegally. I must say this issue is a difficult one, that is part of the very large issue of what to do with the 12M undocumented in the country.

Congress and the American people should support this incremental step. As with reducing the flow of new undocumented (at the border and through visa overstays), we need to get control of the system.

Three steps are required before we can really start to deal with the undocumented: 1) e-verify, reducing illegal border crossings to a trickle, and tracking and controlling visa overstays.

DACA is special case being held hostage by the president. However, I would note that Trump's proposal was to give a path to citizenship to TRIPLE the number for the Democrats wanted legal status. Sure, there would have a reduction of cousins being automatically admitted, but the additional 1.2M DACA people would overwhelm any decrease over the next 5-10 years. In any case, the DACA issue can't be meaningfully addressed until after the election. Both sides want the campaign issue.

Interesting article about E-Verify, which states mandate it's use, and outcomes.

I can understand why some states don't want their individual state to mandate it, especially if they hire many low wage earners, such as resorts, restaurants, etc., because it puts them at a disadvantage to draw businesses, etc. to their state compared to states who don't and businesses may be hiring illegals. But if it is a federal mandate then no state has an advantage.

Federal E-Verify Law Would Mean Major Changes For U.S. Employers | HuffPost

 

[Always in His Presence]

and a sign that the Trump administration is carrying out its plan to aggressively ramp up enforcement this year

About time we had a President who did what he said he would do.

 

[DZoolander]

Illegal immigration is one issue I tend to side with the Republicans on, so good.

Although I do think the GOP overplays it's hand on the issue. lol

 

[mark46]

Illegal immigration is one issue I tend to side with the Republicans on, so good.

Although I do think the GOP overplays it's hand on the issue. lol

ya think?

 

[DZoolander]

Definitely - lol

My objection to illegal immigration is simply on the idea that people ought follow the rule of law - and individuals running across the border to skirt our (admittedly broken) immigration system rubs me the wrong way. If you catch them, throw them out.

But, like a number of other issues, it's become toxic to talk about. The left wants them treated like they're just "immigrants" - which they're not. They're here illegally. They skirted the process. The right wants to talk about them like they're this huge suck on society - which I think is an overstatement. My hunch is when you factor everything together - their impact on our society is a wash. The lower prices they facilitate in certain sectors offsets the drain in others - etc.

So, illegal immigration isn't an issue I particularly care about or vote on. I'm certainly not in favor of some stupid wall - which I don't think would accomplish it's purpose anyhow.

My issues are different. Healthcare reform is my biggest one.

 

[cow451]

The process seems to be reasonable. The COMPANY was investigated. Now, the company will be punished, as well as the illegal workers. In the past, often the workers were deported and the company went unpunished, and found more workers.

So, for me, this is a step forward. And yes, all companies should be forced to be in the federal system so that worker status can be evaluated.

Interesting the article didn’t mention the company’s being investigated until about six paragraphs deep.
The title, as most media reports do, is to emphasize the migrants/immigrants rather than the Americans who use and facilitate illegal immigration.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

Tennessee, huh?.. I thought that was a conservative Republican state where no one ever profits off of cheap illegal labor like we here in liberal Democratic California are always accused of doing.

 

[FreeinChrist]

The meat industry has been wooing people from south of the border with jobs for decades. They help them get the initial visa and then drop the ball. Many who come find the job the job so bad, they go looking for something else.

The meat companies wouldn't have to look for foreign help if they would pay better and make the workplace safer. That would be a step in fighting illegal immigration.

Anyone read Fast Food Nation?

 

[cow451]

Tennessee, huh?.. I thought that was a conservative Republican state where no one ever profits off of cheap illegal labor like we here in liberal Democratic California are always accused of doing.

Conservative states are likely the worst. The Georgia carpet industry was built on illegal migrant labor.

 

[NightHawkeye]

Tennessee, huh?.. I thought that was a conservative Republican state ...

The state of Senator Bob Corker ... who is held in even lower esteem by many conservatives than even John McCain.

 

[cow451]

The state of Senator Bob Corker ... who is held in even lower esteem by many conservatives than even John McCain.

An actual business person rather than a Yankee real estate huckster ......

 

[NightHawkeye]

An actual business person rather than a Yankee real estate huckster ......

... the embodiment of the 'swamp'.

 

[cow451]

... the embodiment of the 'swamp'.

Yankee real estate huckster sold the swamp to Conservative Republicans in 2016 and laughed all the way to the bank.

 

[Hank77]

I agree that e-verify should be required nationally. At very least, all states should have access to the data, even if it isn't mandatory. This alone would help states a lot.

The data is provided on a federal site. Any employer in any state can go online, sign up, and have access.
E-Verify

 

[NightHawkeye]

Yankee real estate huckster sold the swamp to Conservative Republicans in 2016 and laughed all the way to the bank.

Happened long before 2016.

Remember this guy? He was responsible for George H. W. Bush's defeat in 1992.

His 'Reform' party preceded the TEA party by a few years.

 

[cow451]

Happened long before 2016.

Remember this guy? He was responsible for George H. W. Bush's defeat in 1992.

His 'Reform' party preceded the TEA party by a few years.

Tea party didn’t have a viable candidate last go round. Back to topic.....