1,250 Janitors Fired in Minnesota after Immigration Audit
Posted on Nov 14, 2009 1:15pm PST
In Minneapolis,
Minnesota, it is being reported that approximately 1,250 janitors were fired in October after an
immigration audit. According to reports, the janitors worked in the Twin Cities and had suspect employment records, which led to their termination after Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted an audit.
All of the janitors worked for a company based in New York called ABM Industries. ABM Industries is provides janitorial services throughout the United States. Back in June, the company sent notices to their employees that they must show additional documents to prove that they could legally work in the U.S. The documents were then turned over to the ICE.
"Federal law prescribes specific procedures by which employers conduct employment verification activities. Our policy is full compliance with the law," said Tony Mitchell, ABM Industries Vice President of Corporate Communications.
After documents were submitted, the company began firing employees who did not have legal authorization to work in the United States. The company sent letters to terminated employees that stated, "ICE has informed ABM that the documentation you previously provided to confirm your employment authorization in the United States does not satisfy the I-9 Form employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act."
Employees who received notices were told that they could submit additional documents to counteract their terminations. The employees had till the end of October to provide documentation. The ICE reports that of the 1,250 workers that were fired, the majority were undocumented.
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