Swift: Government made company an example in immigration

[Jean]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/ ... 2-11-16-29

Feb 2, 11:59 AM EST


Swift: Government made company an example in immigration raids


GREELEY, Colo. (AP) -- The head of meatpacker Swift & Co. said federal officials wanted a high-profile example of an immigration crackdown when they staged massive raids on Swift plants in six states late last year.

President and CEO Sam Rovit told the Greeley Tribune in Friday's editions that the government rejected the company's offer to help investigate alleged identity theft.

"They were looking for a marquee to show the administration it was tough on immigration," he said.

Rovit and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman did not immediately return messages from The Associated Press Friday.

ICE arrested 1,282 workers in the Dec. 12 raids. Of those, 246 now face state or federal identity theft charges and the rest face immigration charges.

The raids were in Greeley, the privately held company's headquarters town, and in Grand Island, Neb.; Cactus, Texas; Hyrum, Utah; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Worthington, Minn.

Rovit said Swift had done everything it could to comply with hiring practices established under the Basic Pilot Program, a federal program designed to help employers check applicants' immigration status.

Rovit also told the newspaper the Greeley-based company would refinance its debt and take the company public if it is not sold. The company said last week it was considering options ranging from refinancing to a sale or initial public offering.

Rovit said the company could refinance this summer and go public within two years. He acknowledged that a sale also remains an option.

He predicted the Greeley plant would remain open whether or not the company is sold and lashed out at people he did not name for making "trash" statements about Swift.

"There are a lot of people parading around as industry experts, who put out trade reports based on what our competitors say," Rovit said. "Those competitors are looking to take advantage of our customers, and what those experts have been saying is trash," he said.

[JohnB2012]

The head of meatpacker Swift & Co. said federal officials wanted a high-profile example of an immigration crackdown when they staged massive raids on Swift plants in six states late last year.

With 1,282 arrests of which 246 facing identity theft charges and all the rest looking at being deported, I guess they found their example.

[PhredE]

ICE arrested 1,282 workers in the Dec. 12 raids. Of those, 246 now face state or federal identity theft charges and the rest face immigration charges.

Mr. Rovit, with 1200+ arrested, and 1 in 5 of those facing ID theft and/or immigration charges, nothing you say can convince us you are honest or sincere.

It seems ICE did indeed find a 'good example'. Hopefully, several others will follow...

[Mayday]

Tyson needs to be next!

[CCUSA]

Yes, I'd say they have a credibility problem just like our President. I don't think any excuse will do now that the facts are in.

[SOSADFORUS]

Yes, I'd say they have a credibility problem just like our President. I don't think any excuse will do now that the facts are in.

And Congess both partys have run AMUK!!!Oh and don't forget supreme court, superior court, 9th circut, law enforcement, ice, homeland security, etc. they are destroying the United States!!!!

[2ndamendsis]

They're doing this little dance so that Americans are shmoozed into thinking that they're serious on Illegals while
THEY JUST SENT THE BILL UP TO THE JUDICIARY to screw us to the wall!

They're attempting to manipulate Americans into another corner and I for one, resent the hell out of it. They have such audacity that they've even written their little manipulation scheme for public consumption.

They really believe that by doing a few raids and 'getting tough' -selectively - we'll let their GUEST WORKER / AMNESTY go thru.

They're now pumping out bills to end our sovereignty and open the borders wide left and right.