All articles tagged with #immigrant workers
A Louisville-based GE Appliances plant laid off nearly 150 immigrant workers, mostly Cubans, after their legal immigration status was revoked due to the termination of the Biden-era parole program CHNV by the Trump administration, causing workforce shortages and concern among remaining immigrant employees about their future legal status.
Federal data shows a decline of 1.2 million immigrant workers in the U.S. from January to July, largely due to stricter immigration policies under President Trump, affecting sectors like agriculture, construction, and healthcare, and potentially tightening the labor market.
President Trump initially announced a pause on immigration raids targeting industries like agriculture and hospitality, but quickly reversed course to resume raids, especially in Democrat-run cities, highlighting the unpredictable nature of his immigration policies and the influence of internal political pressures.
Immigration authorities conducted a large-scale raid at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha, targeting workers suspected of unauthorized employment, despite the company's compliance with E-Verify, leading to community concern and confusion among company officials about the reasons for the raid.
Workers at Ambiance Apparel, a Los Angeles-based fashion company with a history of legal issues, were detained by ICE during a raid, sparking protests and raising concerns about due process and the treatment of immigrant workers, many of whom are from Zacatecas, Mexico. The company, despite past legal troubles involving money laundering and customs violations, was known for treating employees well, but the raid has caused significant distress among families and the community.
Margarita Womack, a Colombian-born scientist turned entrepreneur, founded MasPanadas, a Maryland-based company producing frozen empanadas. The company not only promotes the traditional Latin American dish but also provides jobs for Hispanic workers, offering benefits like English lessons and professional development. Despite challenges, including financing and scaling production, MasPanadas has seen significant growth, with its products now available in major supermarkets. Womack emphasizes a supportive work culture and plans to expand the product line to include breakfast and sweet empanadas.
Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after a cargo ship struck it, sending workers into the river and impacting the city's working-class history and economy. The tragedy has prompted a community-wide response, with efforts to support victims' families and plans for rebuilding the bridge. Immigrant workers, who were among the victims, are being remembered and supported, while the city braces for the economic fallout from the port's closure. Despite the challenges, Baltimore residents are rallying together to recover and rebuild.
A Tennessee factory, Tuff Torq, has been ordered to pay nearly $2 million for employing immigrant teenagers as young as 14 in "oppressive child labor," with violations including the use of dangerous machinery. The Labor Department's investigation resulted in a $296,000 fine and a $1.5 million fund for the benefit of the children. Tuff Torq claims the underage employees were temporary workers hired through a third-party staffing company and is taking steps to strengthen labor practices.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office has filed a $3 million wage theft case against Evergreen Acres Dairy in Stearns County, alleging that the dairy farm failed to pay workers, threatened them, and confined them to squalid housing. The lawsuit, one of the largest of its kind in Minnesota, seeks more than $3 million for violations involving dozens of workers, most of whom are immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico, who were allegedly robbed of up to a quarter of their wages each pay period.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a $3 million wage theft lawsuit against Evergreen Acres Dairy, alleging the company robbed hundreds of immigrant workers, withheld wages, and provided squalid housing. The dairy farm, owned by Keith Schaefer and his daughter Megan Hill, allegedly falsified records, destroyed timecards, and threatened workers. The workers, who faced hazardous conditions and little oversight, were also tenants of the company without lease agreements. Ellison emphasized the impact of wage theft on both victims and other businesses, and his office is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to protect the workers.
Apple has agreed to pay a $25 million settlement to the US Department of Justice over claims that the company favored immigrant workers over US citizens and green card holders for certain jobs. The settlement, the largest ever for the Justice Department involving claims of discrimination based on citizenship, requires Apple to pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and $18.25 million to affected workers. Apple stated that it had unintentionally not been following the DOJ standard and has implemented a remediation plan to comply with government requirements. The company will also align its recruiting practices for certain jobs with its normal procedures and conduct more expansive recruitment.