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  1. #1
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    Web site targeting employers of migrants

    http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... s0111.html

    Web site targeting employers of migrants
    Daniel González
    The Arizona Republic
    Jan. 11, 2007 12:00 AM

    A popular Web site that allows people to anonymously accuse employers of hiring illegal workers has managed to irk business owners, raise the ire of immigration authorities and show that anti-illegal immigration forces are focusing their efforts on employers.

    Wehirealiens.com is operated by a citizens group that says it's trying to fight illegal immigration by publicizing suspected employers of illegal immigrants on its site and reporting them to federal authorities. Critics, however, contend the site is part of a troubling movement by anti-illegal immigration groups to out businesses and individuals on the Internet.

    It is among several sites that attempt to embarrass employers, but what makes the site so popular is what makes it controversial: Wehirealiens.com doesn't check or confirm accusations from contributors before posting or sending information to authorities. advertisement

    More than 2,700 businesses, including 200 in Arizona, are currently listed on the site's list of "illegal employers."

    The Web site is not supported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the agency has used some information supplied by the site. Business and immigrant advocates say the site amounts to vigilantism, and legal experts say the site is on shaky legal grounds.

    None of that fazes Jason Mrochek, the Web site's operator.

    Mrochek claimed credit when federal immigration agents on Dec. 12 raided meatpacking plants in six states and rounded up more than 1,200 undocumented workers employed by Greeley, Colo.-based Swift & Co. The meatpacker, Mrochek said, is one of several companies raided recently that first appeared on the Web site's list of "suspected illegal employers."

    "We're glad that ICE is investigating and raiding some of these companies, and we hope it continues," said the co-founder and director of FIRE Coalition, an anti-illegal immigration group.

    Born out of frustration

    Mrochek, 32, based in Riverside County in California, said the site was launched in February 2005 out of frustration with the federal government's lack of worksite enforcement. Its goal is to pressure employers to stop hiring undocumented workers and, therefore, reduce a main incentive of illegal immigration. The site, funded by donations, now averages 750,000 to 1 million hits a month, Mrochek said.

    It is the largest and most popular of several Web sites that have popped up in the past two years that target employers.

    Others, such as daylaborers .org and illegalemployers.org, are less sophisticated. Anyone can visit and anonymously submit written information and photos to wehirealiens.com accusing a business of hiring illegal workers.

    Mrochek reviews the information. If he deems the accusations add up to what he calls "reasonable suspicion," he posts the company on a list of businesses to boycott and then forwards the information to ICE, the FBI and the Social Security Administration.

    Mrochek said he makes no effort to verify any submitted information, or notify companies, before posting accusations on his Web site.

    He said, however, that he rejects about 50 percent of the claims, usually because the information is too vague. Mrochek said several businesses have threatened to sue him after their companies were posted on the site. But none has so far.

    'Virtual vigilantism'

    The site has raised a number of concerns. One is that disgruntled employees or competitors could use the site to tarnish the reputation of law-abiding businesses. Another is that assumptions about an employee's legal status based on race or ethnicity could lead to false accusations.

    "The virtual vigilantism of this Web site encourages anonymous informants and the trafficking of whispered innuendo. That is not characteristic of a free society that values due process and the right to confront your accuser," said Farrell Quinlan, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman.

    Indeed, some of the "evidence" that lands businesses on the Web site seems racially tinged, or stems from second- and thirdhand sources. Phoenix employment lawyer Neil Alexander said the Web site could be considered slanderous.

    "If you accuse somebody publicly of engaging in criminal activity, you can potentially be liable for defamation or libel," Alexander said.

    What's more, undocumented immigrants often use fraudulent documents that appear real, so employers don't always know if a worker is actually in the country illegally, experts say.

    Caroline Espinosa, spokeswoman for NumbersUSA, a national organization that advocates reductions in immigration, said wehirealiens.com and similar sites illustrate the public's frustration with the federal government's unwillingness to vigorously enforce employer sanctions.

    Outraged at accusations

    In November, someone who claimed to be a former employee of Glendale Welding Co. accused the steel tank manufacturer of hiring "illegals a day after they crossed the desert."

    Owner Bob Carlson was outraged when he found out his company was on the site.

    "It's totally made up," Carlson said.

    The accusation also angered Glendale resident Robert Juarez, 55, a 23-year veteran of the company. Juarez, who is Hispanic, was born in Texas. He said he resents when people assume Latinos are undocumented immigrants.

    "I'm Hispanic, but I am not an illegal," Juarez said.

    The company employees 22 welders, Carlson said. Half are Hispanic, but all but three were born in the U.S. Those born in Mexico have work visas, Carlson said. "It's like witch hunting," he said.

    Despite criticism like that, Mrochek is looking for ways to attack employers even more aggressively on wehirealiens .com. One option he is considering is forwarding tips about suspected illegal employers to the IRS, in addition to ICE. Another is linking up with a Web site that launches organized boycotts.

    "If we are being effective, that is the real mission," he said.

    The Internet and immigration

    Federal officials are wary of Web sites such as www.wehirealiens.com that target employers. Posting the names of suspected "illegal employers" could jeopardize investigations, said Lauren Mack, ICE spokeswoman for Arizona. The agency does, however, occasionally get leads from the site. Federal agents recently raided several companies previously listed on the site. Mack said the agency prefers that people report suspicious activity to its own tip line, 1-866-347-2423.

    Sites by anti-illegal immigration groups targeting employers include:


    • Wehirealiens.com. Allows people to anonymously report employers suspected of hiring illegal workers. Includes a searchable database of nearly 3,000 suspected "illegal employers."


    • Illegalemployers.org. Helps companies sue competitors who have gained an unfair advantage by hiring undocumented workers.


    • Daylaborers.org. Discourages the practice of hiring day laborers by posting photos of businesses and individuals at day-labor sites.




    What do you think?

  2. #2
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    The site, funded by donations, now averages 750,000 to 1 million hits a month, Mrochek said.
    FANTASTIC
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

  3. #3
    Senior Member dragonfire's Avatar
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    Re: Web site targeting employers of migrants

    That is not characteristic of a free society that values due process and the right to confront your accuser," said Farrell Quinlan, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman.
    If confronting your accuser is your right then isn’t Hazelton’s rights being violated by those suing them anonymously.
    Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!

  4. #4
    Senior Member Cliffdid's Avatar
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    Mrochek said "several businesses have threatened to sue him after their companies were posted on the site. But none has so far. "
    Funny how they scream slander but don't sue. Sure makes you wonder. DO THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE?........LIKE AN ILLEGAL OR TWO OR THIRTY LOL

  5. #5
    Senior Member greyparrot's Avatar
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    Re: Web site targeting employers of migrants

    Quote Originally Posted by dragonfire
    That is not characteristic of a free society that values due process and the right to confront your accuser," said Farrell Quinlan, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman.
    If confronting your accuser is your right then isn’t Hazelton’s rights being violated by those suing them anonymously.
    Touche Dragonfire, touche!

    Mrochek said several businesses have threatened to sue him after their companies were posted on the site. But none has so far.
    Hmmmmm.......why not (duh)?

  6. #6

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    Re: Web site targeting employers of migrants

    Quote Originally Posted by dragonfire
    That is not characteristic of a free society that values due process and the right to confront your accuser," said Farrell Quinlan, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman.
    If confronting your accuser is your right then isn’t Hazelton’s rights being violated by those suing them anonymously.
    Thank you, Dragonfire! That was my exact thought when I read that. It really makes me mad to think anything is acceptable in our country these days to protect the illegals, who have obviously broken at least one of our laws...but let one of our OWN try the same thing and all H*LL breaks loose!

  7. #7
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    What business is it of immigration officials? Maybe their concern should just be doing the job they are paid to do instead of being moral arbiters.

  8. #8
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    Had_Enuf wrote

    Quote:
    The site, funded by donations, now averages 750,000 to 1 million hits a month, Mrochek said.

    FANTASTIC
    ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!

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