Intensified federal scrutiny puts employers in middle

By COOKSON BEECHER

Capital Press

With harvest in full swing across the West, a heavy cloud hangs over the fields: the uncertainty that comes with an intensified federal crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants

When Tom Morton, the new chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, visited California last month, he said the agency is geared up to increase the number of employers it audits to make sure their workers are eligible to work in this country.

He said that in addition to the 654 companies ICE is currently auditing, many more employers will be notified soon that they will fall under federal scrutiny, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"I think there's concern all over the country about this," said Luawanna Hallstrom, western vice president of the Council of Agricultural Employers and general manager of Harry Singh & Sons in Oceanside.

In 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated 53 percent of hired farm workers were illegal immigrants. Farm groups and advocates have placed the number at 75 to 90 percent of the hired workforce.

Hallstrom said those estimates are "startling numbers" for agricultural employers.

"This is scary time for agriculture," she said, referring to the ramped-up federal focus on employers just when harvest is in full swing.

In Eastern Washington, orchardist Rob Valicoff Jr. said ICE's strategy is having a major impact on the fruit industry.

"Especially if they do it now during harvest season," he said. "Bottom line, we pretty much know that many of the workers are illegal."

Because he estimated 85 percent of the agricultural workforce has forged documents, Valicoff hires foreign workers through the H-2A guestworker program during harvest.

It costs him about 50 cents more per hour per worker to use the program, and he says it puts him at a competitive disadvantage compared to employers who hire unauthorized workers.

Even so, he considers it a wise investment.

"When I need workers to pick my cherries, I need them now," he said. "I can't run the risk of losing any of my workers."

He faults the federal government for looking the other way for decades as foreign workers crossed the border to find jobs in this country.

"Shame on all of us for letting this happen," he said.

Though some companies use the H-2A program, others already take extra steps to avoid running afoul of an ICE crackdown.

In Western Washington, Chris Colasano, CEO of wholesale nursery Skagit Gardens, which hires 275 workers, 100 of which are seasonal workers, said the company takes an aggressive approach to ensuring that its employees are legal.

Even though it's not required to do so, the company makes sure each employee's Social Security number matches his or her name. If that isn't the case, the worker can't stay on the job.

Staff writer Cookson Beecher is based in Sedro-Woolley, Wash. E-mail: cbeecher@capitalpress.com.