Protesters in San Jose upset with Mi Pueblo using E-Verify

Posted Sep 06, 2012

The Bay Area’s biggest Latino grocery chain is causing a stir in the immigrant community after it began checking the immigration status of all its new hires through the federal E-Verify program.

Unions are pushing for a customer boycott. Founded in 1991 on the Eastside of San Jose, the chain of 21 stores stretches from Pittsburg to Peninsula and the Central Valley and employs about 3,300 people.

Spokeswoman Perla Rodriguez says company joined E-VERIFY on the government’s strong recommendation, and that the verification only affects new hires, not existing employees.

Protesters in San Jose upset with Mi Pueblo using E-Verify