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ImmigrationProf Blog
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Swift Case Exposed Flaws in Basic Pilot Program

By immigrationprof

The Bush administration is taking heat from lawmakers for the harm done to a Swift & Co. during last month’s largest-ever immigration raid. Immigration officials on Dec. 12 arrested 1,297 undocumented workers at Swift meatpacking plants in Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah.

After a closed-door meeting Monday with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, senators from the affected states said the raid exposed flaws in the federal government and in a program designed to help employers screen for undocumented immigrants. Swift participated in a program called Basic Pilot, which screens employees for illegal Social Security numbers. The system doesn’t snag stolen Social Security numbers or numbers that are being used in multiple locations.

Although the government took no action against Swift in the Dec. 12 raids, the Greeley, Colo., meat processor was forced to temporarily halt operations. The raids could cost the company an estimated $30 million. Click here.

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