Speech #1010104940

Ms. Torres said younger people have an especially difficult time getting the necessary documentation because they do not have drivers licenses and a birth certificate Is not sufficient. She said that the bill has created undocumented citizens. and whats worse Is that banks and other Institutions not affected by the law are now requiring the same documentation. The Puerto Rican Commonwealth Is even issuing cards for American citizens born on the island that carry a fingerprint. an Orwellian "Big Brother" device that Is one of the more odious byproducts of the employer sanctions provision. There have been two reports issued In the last 3 years which Indicate a rise In hiring discrimination against working people who appear "foreign" following the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. A report by the New York State InterAgency Task Force on Immigration Affairs released last November concluded that a large percentage of the employers surveyed knew they could be fined but did not know what they should be doing to avoid the finesa problem that could. and has. led to wrongful denial of employment. The report found that a vast majority of employers will not hire until they receive the appropriate documents. which results in applicants either not being considered: Being denied employment for some waiting period. then hired. or being denied employment after some period of waiting. Large numbers of people have been denied work because they cannot get the appropriate documents quickly enough. according to the report. and a large number of people are subjected to selectively stringent screening practices. The preliminary findings of a General Accounting Office review also issued last Novemberthe second of three annual reports mandated by the Congress on the effects of the immigration lawfound that of the 3.3 million employers surveyed who were aware of the law22 percent were not aware It had passedabout 527.000. or 16 percent. had begun or increased employment practices not permitted under the law. such as adopting a policy of hiring only U.S. citizens. The 16 percent who admit to discrimination indicates a much wider pattern by those unwilling to admit to such discriminatory practices. The employer sanctions provision has opened the way to numerous kinds of immigrant worker exploitation. For Instance. an employer who finds someone who is undocumented can pay this worker $1 an hour Instead of $3 an hour or more. and not turn the worker In. People are being forced into sweatshops rather than being forced to return to their countries of origin. as the law intended. As of last month. 707 employment discrimination complaints had been received around the country by the Office of Special Counsel in the U.S. Justice Department. which probes employment discrimination charges under the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Of the total. 253 were in California and 62 in New York. according to special counsel Andrew Strojny. as quoted In the October 30 edition of New York Newsday. Settlements have thus far resulted In job reinstatement. job offers. and more than $180.000 in back pay for injured parties. according to Strojny. The employer sanctions provision hurts those who are legally permitted to work. even temporary residents who obtained work authorization under the act. who have nonetheless been denied employment. The employer sanctions provision has abridged some basic freedoms available to all working people In the United States. whether they are people of color born In the U.S.. naturalized citizens. or temporary residents. It is simply not working. and must be repealed Immediately. A more humane way must be found to regulate the influx of undocumented Immigrants and protect the jobs of U.S. citizens. naturalized citizens. and those applying for