Mr. Speaker. the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund. [MALDEF] released a shocking report this weekend showing that there Is widespread discrimination in employment against Hispanics as a result of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. The MALDEF report chronicles a number of incidences of employer discrimination against U.S. citizens and legal residents. simply because of their last name or accent. *aFor example. Sandra Johnsons job search was going smoothly. until she started using her maiden name. Garcia. At that point interviewers constantly asked for her immigration status and suggested her Immigration papers were forged. Richard TrujIllo. a native of Kansas applied for a Job as a sandblaster. On his application he Indicated he was a U.S. citizen. and provided a drivers flcense and Social Security card as proof of legal status. The company. however demanded a work visa or "INS number." something no native born citizen would have. Based on the MALDEF report It Is clear that as a result of the Immigration Act. employers are erecting more barriers to employment to people with Hispanic names or accepts. This finding supports and brings Into clear light the earlier GAO study which found great Ignorance of the 1986 act amongst employers. As a earlier supporter of the 1986 immigration Act. I am disturbed to learn that whether through ignorance or malice. there Is a serious problem In which the law Is being used to bar people from gainful employment. I call on the President and the administration to provide the necessary leadership In reversing this ugly situation.
Identified stereotypes
Employers discriminate against Hispanics due to their last names or accents.