Currently, ICE raids are pushing U.S. immigration issues to the forefront of news coverage. This friction is also increasingly spilling into workplaces, where federal agents can access public spaces without warrants. Whether or not these businesses’ workers lack proper documentation for remaining in the U.S., countless industries are and will be affected:
- Late last week, retail stores in Los Angeles became the focus of ICE agents who descended upon apparel and home improvement stores, where at least 40 immigrants were detained. During a nearby protest, agents also arrested SEIU California President David Huerta, who we will discuss further in a moment.
- A popular San Diego Italian restaurant was raided following a tip that the eatery was hiring undocumented immigrants; many Washington, D.C. eateries were also asked to produce I-9 forms for every worker to verify their identities and lawful ability to work in the U.S;
- At a car-detailing company in Philadelphia, a business owner witnessed his workers being detained after 15+ years of employment;
- Barber shops and taquerias in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley have been hit by raids that left remaining workers confused and visibly upset;
- An Omaha, Nebraska meat production plant was the site of dozens of workers being bussed away and detained;
- Construction sites everywhere from Florida to Texas and Louisiana are becoming common spots for ICE agents to surface;
- At New York dairy farms, employers wonder how they will maintain an industry dependent upon immigrant workers. This follows California farmers sounding the alarm in January when field workers stopped showing up to tend orange groves after raids at nearby gas stations where these workers fueled up;
- Going forward, hospitality and caregiving are expected to be heavily affected due to the immigrant-heavy nature of their workforces.
Who is David Huerta? The SEIU California President was detained by federal agents while protesting ICE raids in LA. The Obama administration previously praised him for pushing for “hundreds of SEIU-USWW members [to] become U.S. citizens.”
Huerta’s detainment led to nationwide rallies and statements from several union leaders who called for his release. SEIU International President April Verrett and AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler were vocal with NEA and AFSCME leaders on this issue. The UAW also took to Facebook with a statement, and on Monday, Huerta was released on bond and charged with one federal felony count associated with impeding law enforcement.
Expect Huerta to remain a focal point of immigration-labor discussion. Also, don’t be surprised if unions frame these raids as leverage for organizing campaigns regardless of how employers respond to ongoing ICE activity.
Amid this thorny issue, employers should have a plan for if and when ICE comes knocking. Steps should include preparing for I-9 audits and knowing when a warrant is required to enter certain workplace areas.
