Abercrombie fined over immigration rules; Retailer didn't verify employment eligibility

[pampango]

Source: Detroit Free Press

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Detroit said Tuesday it had levied one of its largest fines -- $1 million -- against clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for violations of federal immigration law at its Michigan stores.

The New Albany, Ohio-based retailer did not verify the employment eligibility of its workers and lacked documentation, said Khaalid Walls, spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"This is probably the largest fine for ICE in Michigan to date," Walls said. "The message here really is we want employers to know that their employee documentation is just as important to the federal government as their financial records."

The audit uncovered numerous technology-related deficiencies in the retailer's electronic I-9 verification system. The company cooperated throughout the investigation and did not knowingly hire illegal immigrants, the government said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20100929/BUSINESS06/9290302/Abercrombie-fined-over-immigration-rules

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No information in the story as to whether Abercrombie & Fitch had actually hired illegal immigrants (knowingly or not) or if the ICE fine was just for problems in their electronic I-9 verification system.

[southmost]

1. these are the kinds of raid ICE should be doing more of

.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. I really think I can give Abercrombie & Fitch the benefit of the doubt on this one...

Unless their somehow hiring zombies of the Hitler Youth...