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American Apparel is under fire for hiring illegal workers
A Los Angeles based clothing company that once proudly proclaimed it was a haven for illegal alien workers has now been forced to layoff more than 1,600 of them or face stiffer penalties from the Federal Government.
American Apparel, known locally and nationally for it's Legalize LA and Legalize the USA campaigns and what some would call racy or suggestive advertising, has approximately 1,800 employees with questionable documentation and some using fake or stolen social security numbers. The company has said it will give preferential status to any discharged employee that can prove they are authorized to work in the US. They also stated that the number of those laid off represents a small percentage of it's overall employee base (10,000).
A government audit of American Apparels employment records about two months ago revealed the discrepancies.
"There are approximately 1,500 workers facing termination during the month of September," said Peter Schey, a lawyer for American Apparel. The company "is very disappointed and disheartened at having to terminate a very large number of workers who by and large have been reliable contributors to the success of the company."
The company was famous for its May Day celebrations and its support of immigration reform. During the May 2006 "Day Without a Latino" rallies, they hung large Legalize LA banners from their building downtown and allowed employees to take off work and attend the events in and around MacArthur Park which eventually turned violent. FOX 11 Newsreporter Christina Gonzalez and her photojournalist were injured by police trying to breakup the disturbances.
When questioned regarding the legal actions against the company, Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Virginia Kice would not comment specifically on the American Apparel case saying the agency was:
"Not at liberty to discuss fines levied in work site enforcement cases until the fine amount becomes final. There's no direct order from ICE to terminate an employee," she said. "But if a company continues to employ individuals who are not authorized to work, they understand there may be potential legal consequences."
The status of the workers themselves with regard to enforcement action is uncertain at this time.
"The focus is on the employer . . . on ensuring that businesses employ a legal workforce," Kice said. "Then again, if someone is in this country in violation of immigration laws, they are subject to enforcement action." she added.
In a letter to employees CEO Dov Charney said "Many of you have been with me for so many years, and I just cry when I think that so many people will be leaving the company," he wrote. "It is my belief that immigrants bring prosperity to any economy."
Few would argue the point though with unemployment levels at near record highs these terminations perhaps provide an opportunity for legal immigrants and US citizens to find gainful employment with the company.
The outspoken Charney went on to say in the letter: "I am deeply disappointed that the Obama administration has failed to bring about immigration reform. Whereas I know he has the intention to do so, getting the job done is another story. Let's not forget that George Bush wanted to bring about immigration reform, but could not get it done. Ironically, the rallying cry of the Obama campaign was the words of Cesar Chavez, "Yes we can" or "Si se puede", which inspired so many people, particularly Latinos in the recent election."
American Apparel has had issues of late besides hiring illegal workers. They were sued by actor Woody Allen for unauthorized use of his image in an advertising campaign and were forced to remove potentially offensive advertisements in Britain. Their provocative ads in the United States have also generated some controversy.
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Comments
Oh, cry me a river! Please the CEO is sad that he has to layoff the ILLEGAL ALIENS, NOT Immigrants! Boo Hoo... Hire American workers and you won't have to lay them off stupid. With the unemployment rates in double digits now American companies need to hire American workers or workers who are in the country legally PERIOD.
I say who needs this stupid company anyway? Buy from American companies who hire Americans.
Happy days are hear again.... Hit the bricks,Don't let the door hit you on the backside,Don't go away mad,just go away!Illegal alien,go home,we do not want you here,understand!
And the CEO says"It is my belief that immigrants bring prosperity to any economy. They become motivated workers, and they sometimes become motivated business owners like me. They bring fresh ideas, optimism, and passion to any economy and they help contribute to a prosperous future.
Although many people forget, migration has been going on for thousands of years, and it will continue for ever. My true dream is that one day we will all live in a world without borders.
Those of you that need to contact me personally can always reach me at my personal e-mail address: dov@americanapparel.net"
It is clear he wants cheap labor, and only is looking out after his bottom line here, afterall he is really a socialist at heart.
Maybe he just needs to move back to CANADA now! Don't let the door hit you on your "BUTT" Pun intended here.
''Forced to layoff''
''Euphemisms are unplesant truths wearing diplomatic cologne''
PS,i'll buy
Why are all of these traitors Jewish???
It's about time we are starting to see some enforcement of the law. It is a slap in the face for those who pursue legal status and citizenship legally and properly, than someone who jumped a fence. The sooner these people show respect for our laws, the more likely they are to see people in favor of letting them come here.
Maybe some new job openings there. Perhaps some American families will be able to feed their families and pay their overdue mortgages because of their new job at American Apparel.
1600 illegal immigrants were finally told the message, you can't work here. We need more examples like this to send a clear message to all illegal immigrants residing in this country.
Keep sending this message clearly and illegal immigrants will go home. Deportation by attrition.
Dov Charney is from Canada and in the USA on a green card basis.
He bankrupted his clothing company located in one of our southern states then came to Los Angeles and started
American Apparel using illegal labor as a competitive
advantage and his friendship with Antonio Villaraigosa
(real name Tony Villar)the mayor of Los Angeles to protect him. Charney was one of the largest contributers to Villaraigosa's war chest for both elections for mayor.
American Apparel is AMERICAN IN NAME ONLY and known to
fund Anti American groups like La Raza,Lulac and others,
Wow, they finally did something about companies hiring undocumented workers? That's unheard of. Let's see what the ramifications are now. Will the company have to hire American citizens who seek, at least, minimum wages? If so, will the company be alright with a smaller profit margin, as their expenses increase with the new wages? If so, will the cost of their products go up. In the end, does anybody care about the company?
We don't give a darn about the company,we are overjoyed that 1600
job thiefs have been given their walking papers.
'Deportation by attrition',indeed!
Dov Charney's green card should be revoked. Boot his ass from Los Angeles to Toronto! There is no reason his American Apparel is in the USA. Who is running this country? :O Enough said.
What, he's miffed because he can't CHEAT anymore?
Real Americans Don't Cheat.
those leadership is so selffish and stupid
they are making usa worse
Well,
-Fire the 1500 illegals,
-Deficit of workers now means higher wage demands from new US legals, creates lack of motivation to hire these more expensive workers, lack of productivity due to interruption,
-Now we will have to pay more for these cloths,
-So we won't buy them as much anymore,
-Due to the lower demand some of the remaining US workers will be laid off
-Quality of customer service and product will suffer further,
-Cloths will become even more expensive,
-We will buy even less of it,
-More layoff of the legal US workers from this company,
-Competitive edge is eventually lost,
-Before you know it the company is bankrupt and closing,
-All the remaining 9000 or so legal workers are now out of a job,
-Some file of unemployment we pick up the tab in higher insurance for all, others find other jobs,
-We all suffer b/c you fired 1500 people.
REFORM THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. DON'T BE AN IDIOT.
Uneducated, lazy and foolish people in this country like to blame illegal immigration for all their problems. Even if immigration is fixed tomorrow, their problems are not going to go away. The fact of the matter is many people in this country are neither capable of taking high skilled jobs for lack of education or low skilled jobs because they feel "entitled" for better jobs. These people seem to be living in a total "imaginary" world and have no idea about how the economy in the 21st century operates. Companies are not going to listen to anyone and will take jobs wherever they want to make their business profitable. There is no shame in taking up lower skilled jobs ( better than living on maxed out credit cards and declaring bankruptcy ) and looking at themselves for solutions to their shortcomings.
Lay off the Customs and Border Protections Officers. They have been such a drain on the economy for years--make them go out and compete with the illegal aliens for jobs. That should solve the problem.
And exporters from china and India and other world and EU where there are mony from poor countries will export their wares where they pay less than a dollar a day.American companies cant compete with them so eventually the businessman gets richer not you the common man because you end up paying 30 bucks for what the american importing company pays to the production house is only 4 dollars. Grow up people of america. Think big thing global. It is a happy thing for us from the rest of world to watch the USA crumble under its own weight of over greedy americans who dont enhance the outlook with the changing world and still thing in terms of me, my family, my paycheck ,little company or office in my town that is all. But it doesnt work that way. What is wrong with people of USA i start to wonder.
All this goes on , rich gets richer ,poor gets poorer like in India we have thousand families which own 99 percent of wealth and remaining 1000 million depending them to eke a livelihood like sla
Socialim is like a TB tablet which when taken without being infected by TB virus will damage ur liver but when u have TB Virus will cure it. US has to learn from countries like India where in the name of democracy a few families own (1000 families own 99 percent of the nations wealth where as 1000 million depend on them as slaves working out like slaves for livelihood). ironically these same ppl run the goverment making it all the more worst. The rich gets richer and poor gets poorer.In the next 10 or 20 years these 1000 families will own 99.99 percent of the nations wealth ..and .just think of it. USA is going in the same direction. For all you americans Obama is a blessing in disguise. Dont fritter away the oppportunity. Dont depend too much on free market , private market etc. All of you are going to end up with a begging bown while the rich gets richer and you get a begging bowl. US is now infected with the TB called rich robbing the poor. It needs the pill called Socialism dr.Obma
"stupidamericans", you are not making sense. don't write if you cannot articulate anything. you are an idiot get off this post and go back to India.
THIS IS TERRIFIC FOR AMERICA. JAIL ? DEPORT? THEN FINE THE HECK OUT OF THESE COMPANIES ACTING IN THIS UNAMERICAN ACTIVITY.VERY VERY GOOD START KEEP IT GOING MAKE AMERICA AMERICAN AGAIN.>>>>>>>>>>AN AMERICAN>>OUT WITH TRAITORS AND TURNCOATS>>>>
THIS CEO SURE SHOWED HIS LOVE FOR AMERICA DID HE NOT? IS AMERICANS CRAZY FOR NOT SORTING OUT IMMIGRANTS ? REALLY IF THEY DONT ASSIMMALATE LEARN ENGLISH RESPECT AMERICAS LAWS AND POLICIES? ALSO FLY THE OTHER COUNTRIES FLAG ? HOW MANY COUNTRIES WOULD PUT UP WIYH THIS BEHAVIOR?ALL IMMIGRANTS LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY FOR A REASON YES? MEXICO HAS IT IN THEIR MIND TO UNDERMINE AND TAKEOVER AMERICA. REMEMBER ATZLAN AND LARAZA ?WHY NOT SORT THESE PEOPLE MAKE THEM AGREE TO BE PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE FOR AMERICA NOT DESTORY IT?>AN AMERICAN> THANKS YOU> KEEP AMERICA PROUD>>
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