New Memo: Illegal Immigrants at Smith Frozen Foods by Mike Liddell, DSCC (Fri Sep 26 2008 22:30:00 GMT-0400 (EDT))

Jeff Merkley's campaign issues a new memo on Smith Frozen Foods.

MEMORANDUM

To: Interested Parties
FROM: Merkley for Oregon
DATE: September 26, 2008
RE: Illegal Immigrants at Smith Frozen Foods - A Regular Fact of Life


Click Here for Video of Smith Frozen Foods


SUMMARY

Gordon Smith and his family have profited off low wage workers at Smith Frozen Foods.

A past investigation by the Immigration and Naturalization Service showed that most of Smith's employees were illegal immigrants.

Now, a newspaper report says there is still "ample evidence to suggest that the hiring of illegal workers is a regular fact of life at Smith's operation" today.

It's outrageous for Smith to claim as a Senator that he wants to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, while employing them in his own business.

BACKGROUND

According to Roll Call Gordon Smith has profited off Smith Frozen Foods. [Roll Call, 9/22/08]

Smith's worth is largely derived from Smith Food Sales, a purveyor of frozen vegetables. In 2006 he listed that asset as being worth $5 million to $25 million. In 2007, the value has jumped to the next category, $25 million to $50 million, so even if the value of the asset rose from just under to just more than $25 million, the effect on the disclosure form is to add $20 million to Smith's minimum net worth. Since Smith doesn't have to report the assets of the corporation, his actual net worth may be far above what is reported on the Congressional form.

Gordon Smith Paid A 24-Year Employee $8.80 an Hour
As reported last week, one Smith employee Lucia Avalos worked at Smith Frozen Foods for nearly 24 years, at the end of which time she was making only $8.80 an hour. The average worker at Smith Frozen Foods makes $80 per day, working four or five days per week, "if they're lucky." [Willamette Week, 9/10/08]

Gordon Smith Voted Against Higher Wages for Working Families 10 Times
While millions of American families living on the minimum wage saw their buying power decline and economic opportunities erode, Gordon Smith fought attempts to increase the minimum wage 10 times during his years in Congress. [Vote 23, 1/24/07; Vote 179, 6/21/06; Vote 26, 3/7/05; Vote 257, 10/19/05; Vote 76, 4/7/00; Vote 356, 11/9/99; Vote 278, 9/22/98; Senate Vote 94, 4/28/99; Senate Vote 356, 11/9/99; Senate Vote 239, 7/30/99]

An INS report from 4/16/86 said "most" of Smith's 1,000 summer employees were likely illegals.[Eugene Register Guard, 10/24/96]

According to newspaper reports, "there is ample evidence to suggest that the hiring of illegal workers is a regular fact of life at Smith's operation." [Willamette Week, 9/10/08]

It is hypocritical for Gordon Smith to claim that he is serious about cracking down on employers who knowlingly hire illegal immigrants. [Willamette Week, 9/10/08]

"[W]e cannot continue to absorb the flow of illegal immigrants, many of whom benefit from government services that American citizens and companies provide," Smith wrote in a letter to constituents dated Jan. 31, 2007. "Reform is necessary, and our borders must be tightened. Anyone who wants to come to live or work in the United States must abide by our laws while paying taxes and learning the English language."

Smith has refused to disclose publicly records that could refute these allegations. He claims he "goes the extra mile" to make sure his company does not hire undocumented workers, yet has not explained what that entails, provided relevant documentation or even made clear how he would know this given his attempts to distance himself from the day-to-day running of the company.
http://www.dscc.org/blog?blog_entry_KEY=433

(WHAT A SNAKE! Maybe we should should give him a 1 million calls?)