Site rejecting illegal workers closing, citing lack of support
By EUNICE MOSCOSO
Sunday, March 02, 2008
WASHINGTON — A Web site that allowed companies to post a pledge not to hire illegal immigrants is shutting down Friday because of a lack of financial support.
The owner of the ProAmerica site, Dallas lawyer David Marlett, said that it was a worthy idea, but he now realizes that the public is not willing to support such an endeavor.
He said average Americans who are protesting day labor sites and screaming "no amnesty" are at the same time supporting companies that actively hire illegal immigrants.
"It's just the height of hypocrisy," he said. "They don't want to make changes in their personal lives."
In his hometown of Rockwall, Texas, an "extremely conservative area," not one landscaper would join the Web site, he said.
In addition, larger companies and chains did not want to participate because it was "a hot potato" for them, he added.
The site, which was launched in June, allowed companies to sign a pledge promising not to hire illegal immigrants. The site was non-profit and businesses did not have to pay to be featured.
ProAmerica also provided a free service to help companies use a Department of Homeland Security worker verification system called E-verify that compares employee information with millions of government records to make sure that applicants are legal.
The Web site, which was
www.proamericacompanies.com, attracted about 1,000 companies, including at least 38 in Georgia, 46 in Texas, 42 in Florida, and 18 in Ohio.
Marlett hoped it would start a movement that would help companies who followed the law. He envisioned a ProAmerica office in Washington.
The idea was for consumers to be able to search in their area for businesses that have promised to hire only legal residents and citizens.
In a good-bye letter to company members of ProAmerica, Marlett said that such a Web site "requires an American populace that actually cares, that agrees with our moral imperative, our patriot perspective, and are willing to live by our oath."
In addition, he said Americans are to blame for illegal immigration.
"We the People are to blame. Not the Mexicans. Not Liberals. Not (Sen.) Ted Kennedy. ././. We are to blame. We invite them. We pay them. We educate them and care for them. We as a nation must be honest about it."
Marlett also said in an interview that the experience of running the Web site has changed some of his views on immigration and that he was disappointed by the sometimes "hateful" and "blatantly racist" talk from some supporters of the site.
In addition, he said that people on all sides of the immigration debate need to realize that a lot of businesses in the United States need migrant workers.
Benjamin Bodnar, who owns Integrity Landscape Management in Hampton, Ga., signed up as a member of ProAmerica last year after hearing about it on a television news show.
"My customers all know that I won't hire anybody that is here illegally," he said. "That means a lot to them."
Bodnar also said that he was disappointed that larger businesses did not participate in ProAmerica.
"How many companies are more concerned about the bottom line than following the law?" he said. "That makes you think about how corrupt some companies are."
Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., was a strong supporter of the ProAmerica site, saying the idea was similar to 'Made in the USA' labels, which allow consumers to support producers of American-made products.
Broun's spokesman did not respond to requests for comment about the Web site shutting down.
