'The Current System Of Immigration Enforcement Is Broken'

New Orleans, LA—Saying the current system of immigration enforcement is broken, the AFL-CIO Executive Council today called for restructuring immigration policy to protect workplace rights and freedoms and hold employers accountable for exploitation of immigrant workers.

"Throughout our country's history immigrants have played an important role in building democratic institutions and vibrant new communities that enrich our lives," AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson said. "The current system of immigration enforcement in the U.S. is broken. If we are to have an immigration system that works, it must be orderly, responsible and fair."

The Executive Council resolution emphasizes three issues:

The so-called "I-9" sanctions process, which unscrupulous employers have systematically used to retaliate against workers who join together in unions, must be eliminated. The "I-9" process currently requires employers to verify the eligibility of people to work in the U.S.

"Employers often knowingly hire workers who are undocumented, and then when workers seek to improve working conditions employers use the law to fire or intimidate workers," Chavez-Thompson said. "This both subverts the intent of the law and lowers working and living standards for all workers—immigrant and non-immigrant—in many industries. The law should criminalize employer behavior, not punish workers."

A new amnesty program is needed to provide permanent legal status for undocumented workers and their families, millions of whom have made and continue to make enormous contributions to their communities and workplaces.

All workers—immigrant, native-born, documented or undocumented—should have the full protection of our system of workplace rights and freedoms.

The resolution reverses parts of the AFL-CIO's 1985 resolution, which called for a process such as the I-9 sanctions. The I-9 process became law in 1986.

The resolution also calls for creation of education programs and training centers to educate workers about immigration issues and assist workers in exercising their rights and freedoms.

Chavez-Thompson said the nation needs greater dialogue and understanding on immigration issues. As a first step, the AFL-CIO is sponsoring a series of regional forums with immigrant workers, and community and union leaders. The first forum is in New York City on April 1, followed by forums in Atlanta on April 29, Los Angeles on May 20 and Minneapolis on a date yet to be determined.

The AFL-CIO Executive Council is the governing body of the U.S. union movement, with representatives of unions with 13 million members.

Contact: Richard Greer, AFL-CIO, 202-637-5279; 202-251-1176 (cell)