Thread: CA: 175 Santa Rosa workers lose jobs in immigration audit

175 Santa Rosa workers lose jobs in immigration audit

By STEVE HART
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


Published: Friday, February 20, 2009 at 6:04 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, February 20, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.

About 175 Latino workers at NeilMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Santa Rosa are without jobs following a probe last week into their legal status by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Most of the workers resigned voluntarily after they were told they didn’t have proper documents to work in the United States, a company spokeswoman said.

But a spokesman for the workers said NeilMed forced them to resign or have their cases turned over to federal authorities.

Last week’s action purged 70 percent of the 250-employee workforce at NeilMed, a fast-growing company that makes nasal rinse products for sinus sufferers.

The company was founded in 2000 by Ketan Mehta, an Indian immigrant and physician who practices pulmonary medicine in Santa Rosa. Its sales exploded in 2007 after one of its products was mentioned on Oprah Winfrey’s popular TV show.

Most of the employees worked in NeilMed’s warehouse, packing and shipping departments near the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up Feb. 10 at NeilMed to examine employee records, said said Josie Gonzalez, a Los Angeles attorney representing the Santa Rosa company.

ICE routinely audits companies to ensure workers have a legal right to work in the United States, said Lori Haley, an agency spokeswoman. She would not confirm the Feb. 10 inspection, saying the agency does not comment on ongoing investigations.

Under the Bush administration, ICE stepped up enforcement of immigration laws in the workplace. Last June, 283 Latino workers at a flower farm in Arcata were terminated in the wake of an ICE investigation.

On Monday, about 50 Latino workers at a Barnes & Noble book distribution center in Reno were fired after a reported ICE audit.

On Thursday, about 100 of the former NeilMed workers met with an attorney and immigrant rights activist at a Santa Rosa park to talk about their situation.

Rudy Balderama, a Los Angeles attorney representing an immigrant rights group, said he’s investigating whether any of their rights were violated.

“All the workers affected are Latinos,â€

Cry me a river.........

Last week’s action purged 70 percent of the 250-employee workforce at NeilMed, a fast-growing company that makes nasal rinse products for sinus sufferers.

The company was founded in 2000 by Ketan Mehta, an Indian immigrant and physician who practices pulmonary medicine in Santa Rosa. Its sales exploded in 2007 after one of its products was mentioned on Oprah Winfrey’s popular TV show.

Didn't O check this company out - or doesn't she understand invasion or E-Verify? What next?

[quote]Balderama said the ex-NeilMed workers have a different version of the events that led to their departures. The company warned that their documents would be turned over to ICE if they didn’t resign, he said.

“That’s meant to engender fear,â€

ICE routinely audits companies to ensure workers have a legal right to work in the United States, said Lori Haley, an agency spokeswoman.

Not often enough for me!

E-Verify and still make raids - doesn't it make sense?

Now companies get rid of IAs when the audit show they are caught. Last years big ICE raids and the severe cost to employers has changed thier
tactic from so what to get rid of them and call my lawyers.

NeilMed already has hired 100 new workers and there was little effect on production, Gonzalez said. There were more than 500 applicants for the openings, including job seekers recently laid off from winery, warehouse and food processing jobs, she said.

Good job! More job openings for Americans!

Can taxpayers sue these IA loving lawyers for bringing frivilous lawsuits? Seems an open and shut case to me. The IA's were using fake/stolen ID and don't have the right to work here.