WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Possible Penalties from Immigration Crackdown
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Burlington, Vermont - November 20, 2009
Leslie Holman is an immigration lawyer in Burlington and has worked with farmers who use Hispanic labor. She says a farmer caught for the first time hiring an illegal worker typically gets a warning.
Reporter Kristin Carlson: Could a farmer say to an immigration officer, I thought the form here is legit-- and if it's proven not to be, are farmers on the hook for that?
Holman: They are not on the hook and absolutely the problem in this country is that they are not expected to police these documents.
If the farmer is a repeat offender it gets more serious. They face fines and possible jail time.
"Enforcement is where the emphasis is this moment so employers need to be aware that the employment laws-- which are a good thing-- are going to be enforced," Holman said.
A worker caught with false papers will lose their job and face deportation.
"It may be to send a message," Holman explained.
Holman has heard of a few raids before in Vermont; crackdowns are expensive and here they yield just a handful of workers, but Holman says there's a bigger impact.
Holman: Perhaps it is a way to trigger following the law without disrupting everything.
Carlson: As opposed to visiting dozens and dozens of farms where they would probably find illegal immigrants?
Holman: Yes, but in the big scheme of things what that would accomplish is no more so than the initial fear that is generated.
Fear farmers now feel across the state.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
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