US immigration enforcement sees American Apparel fire 1800 illegal workers.

October 06 2009 by Liam Clifford

'All American' garment company American Apparel is firing a large proportion of their workforce from a Los Angeles factory after an investigation uncovered a quarter were working there illegally.

US clothing company American Apparel, which has a considerable garment factory in Los Angeles, is sacking 1,800 immigrant employees in the next few days — 25% of its current work force — after a government investigation found irregularities in the US visa and immigration documents workers presented when they first took up their post.

The dismissals at the multi-national company have become a platform for the Obama administration’s effort to cut down on illegal immigration, by pressing employers to dismiss immigrant workers instead of using workplace raids. The firings have however divided public opinion in California, over the value of the new stance, especially with the high level of unemployment in the US and also with a large, well-known employer as a target.

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, called the firings “devastating,” he has claimed that US immigration officers should instead focus on employers that take advantage of their workers. American Apparel has been hailed by city officials and well known business leaders for paying high above the industry standard, offering healthcare benefits and recently giving $18 million in stocks and shares to its employees..

Opponents’ of illegal immigration, including Republican Representative Brian P. Bilbray, who oppose the move to increase legal status to illegal immigrants, back the enforcement effort. They say a company such as American Apparel is typical in that, they have “become addicted to illegal labor.”

“Of course it’s a good idea,” Mr. Bilbray said of the enforcement of US immigration laws. “They seem to think that somehow the law doesn’t matter, that crossing the line from legal to illegal is not a big deal.”

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