Sunday, 12/23/07
Feds crack down on illegal immigration in Springfield

By ERIC MILLER
Gannett Tennessee

SPRINGFIELD — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers visited the home of a Springfield alderman Thursday night amid what appears to be increased enforcement against illegal immigrants.

Alderman Clay Sneed said he was on a call for his security company when ICE officers visited his home.


"My wife said there were some vans here," Sneed said. "They weren't concerned about anything we were doing. They were just concerned about someone that was renting downstairs."

Talk about increased immigration enforcement began circulating through the city this month after allegations about hiring of illegal immigrants at Electrolux Home Products. Electrolux, which employs more than 3,000 people to manufacture electric and gas ranges, initiated a mass firing. Television news reports estimated 170 people were fired last week.

The company has since released a statement that it's using a system called E-verify to check the authenticity of documents provided by potential employees.

Last week Springfield police officials confirmed they were working with ICE officers.

Sneed, who worked at the Electrolux plant for 22 years, said he's concerned about the apparent crackdown. "This is going to be a large economic loss to our community," he said.

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