A new IMAGE?

Today’s Washington Post carries a story by Darryl Fears and Krissah Williams explaining DHS’ new IMAGE program:

Over the past seven months, Bush administration officials havequietly toured the country, trying to persuade businesses that relyheavily on immigrant labor to join a little-known program that wouldspare them from embarrassing federal raids if they voluntarily handedover their workers’ documents so the government can scan them forfraudulent information.

Officials at the Department of HomelandSecurity have asked companies to join the ICE Mutual Agreement BetweenGovernment and Employers program, known as IMAGE, operated by thedepartment’s Immigrations and Customs Enforcement division.

The story is here. While the Bush administration and some businesses are enthusiastic about the program, others see problems.  The article quotes a union spokewoman who raises the possibility that a participating business can manipulate the process “and use it as a tool to intimidate and threaten workers” seeking better working conditions.  And it may not  be win-win for businesses.  One analyst “compared it to ‘advising average citizens to drive up to their local police station to get frisked.'”

-jmc