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Tyson Foods joins ICE

Posted: Jan 20, 2011 8:10 PM EST
Updated: Jan 21, 2011 1:05 AM EST
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Tyson Foods joins ICE

WALLULA, Wash. -- Tyson Foods is now being held to a much higher standard when it comes to who they hire. On Thursday, the company joined the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency's 'Image' program.

A Tyson Foods spokesman says their hiring process will not change. The program will ensure the world's second largest food production company will continue to employ legal workers. All of the company's employment eligibility documents and social security numbers of all employees were checked over by ICE. Tyson is the first major food company to join the program.

"One this is recognition that Tyson is using all legal hiring practices to ensure we have a legal workforce. Secondly, it is an effort to enhance our collaborative efforts with Immigration and Enforcement Agency," says Greg Mickelson, Tyson Foods Spokesman.

Mickelson says Tyson Foods has an extensive employment verification program already in place, and opportunities for anyone to report unauthorized employees.