Filling the void left by Congress
Atlantic Scaffolding, which employs nearly 400 at a Pascagoula (Miss.)-based Chevron (CVX) refinery, has let go at least eight workers this month. The company says some workers were laid off for economic reasons, and others may have been terminated for just cause. But at least three of the workers have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging they lost their jobs because of their Latino ethnicity. The workers say although they are legally eligible to work, they were fired on July 2, following the July 1 implementation of a Mississippi state law cracking down on undocumented workers and their employers.
The Mississippi law is the most extreme step that’s been taken by proponents of tougher controls against illegal immigrants. These crackdowns by state and federal authorities are having their intended effect: They have combined with a sputtering economy to drive many immigrants out of the U.S., according to a forthcoming analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies. According to its study of monthly Census Bureau data, the illegal immigrant population has declined “significantly” between last summer and May of this year. Full findings of the study will be released on July 30.
But worker advocates claim innocent workers also are being swept up in the ensuing response from employers. “Some employers are misunderstanding the law and just getting rid of Latino employees,” says Bill Chandler, executive director of the Jackson (Miss.)-based Mississippi Immigrants’ Rights Alliance (MIRA).**
“The law is confusing for employers and devastating for workers.”
**Central Office
Bill Chandler, Executive Director
Jackson/>, MS/> 39215/>/>
O: (601)968-5182
F: (601)968-5183
Atty. Patricia Ice, Legal Director
P.O. Box 1466
Jackson, MS 39215
O: (601)354-9355
F: (601)968-5183
Development Office
Alisha Johnson/>, Development Director
O: (504)942-5006
F: (504)940-3083
Gulf/> Coast/>/> Office
Vicky Cintra, Organizing Coordinator
Biloxi/>, MS/> 39533/>/>
O: (228)386-5164
F: (228)386-5166
North Mississippi/> Office
Pascual Cruz, N. MS Organizer
O: 662-560-7342
Bill Chandler
Executive Director
bcmobilize@ bellsouth.net
Socorro Leos
Organizer
mirasocorro@ bellsouth.net
Soletai Castro
Office/Legal Assistant
Alisha Johnson
Development Director
Pascual Cruz
Organizer
Cynthia Blanco
Office, Administrative
Victoria Cintra
Organizing Coordinator
solidaritymira@ bellsouth.net
L. Patricia Ice, Attorney
Director, Legal Project
atty_ice@hotmail.com
P.O. Box/> 124P.O. Box/> 1104