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Title: Immigrant rights group calls for boycott Dunkin Donuts, Applebee's accused of discrimination
Source:
ABC7
URL Source: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4615520
Published: Oct 3, 2006
Author: By Evelyn Holmes
Post Date: 2006-10-03 22:33:49 by Zipporah
Keywords: None
Views: 240
Comments: 8
September 30, 2006 - A local group fighting for immigrant rights is calling for a boycott of two nationally known companies. Dunkin Donuts and Applebee's are accused of discriminating against immigrant workers whose names don't match their social security numbers. On the 10th anniversary of what immigration reform advocates call stringent changes to immigration laws, supports of the legalization of the undocumented are once again speaking out -- only this time, they are hoping not only to mobilize their vote, but also use their buying power to force the kind of change they want. "The social security administration says it plans to send out 8 million no match letters," said Martino Unzuerta, Chicago Workers Collaborative. The initial purpose of the social security administration's 'no match' letter was to credit workers unclaimed social security earnings. The agency routinely sends out 'no match' letters to a company when employees' names and social security numbers don't match possibly because of a spelling error, omission of information or a unreported name change. But immigration activists say some employers are now aggressively using the letters to fire immigrant workers. "The Bush administration wants to give the appearance that they are cracking down on undocumented immigration and workers are an easy escape goat," said James Thindwa, Chicago Jobs with Justice. Groups accuse several companies of the practice using 'no match' letters to immigrant workers who don't have valid social security numbers. They want the public to boycott businesses, including Applebee's and Dunkin Donuts. Neither company could be reached for comment. Some immigration rights groups at Federal Plaza say it is no mistake there has been an increase in effort to curtail immigration reform. They have planned a day of fasting in protest of the 'no match' letters, raids, and deportations. "It looks to me like its racism," said Emma Lozano, Pueblo Sin Fronteras. The National Alliance for Immigration Rights wants an immediate moratorium on all workplace raids and deportations. As does Elvira Arellano -- who still seeks refuge at a West Side church after being slated for deportation because she's undocumented. Her seven-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, will go to the nation's capital to try to save his mother. "I want President Bush to stop the raid and the deportation of my mom so she can stay with me," said Saul Arellano, Elvira's son. Those for strict control over America's borders say there has been some progress in their fight, but more must be done. "We are gaining ground and that Americans are waking up to the problems that illegal immigration causes in our country," said Robert Klein Engler, Illinois Minuteman Project. Saul will be accompanied by several immigration activists as well as by Congressman Luis Guitterez to Washington DC. The group plans to address the president on Tuesday.
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#1. To: Zipporah (#0)
No Dunkin' Donuts here in East Tennexico, but we did our best to keep 'em busy back in NH. Krispy Kreme? I don't think so.
East Tennessee? Good lord.. I was talking to a nurse today.. she told me that there was a couple with 2 babies at a hosp where she worked.. the mother had a raging case of TB.. the couple couldnt speak English and she couldnt speak Spanish so she thought she had a solution.. for she wanted to make the mother understand the serious nature of the disease.. she printed out info in Spanish for the couple.. well.. neither father nor mother could read .. We are on the verge of a national epidemic..
I couldn't agree more. My wife works in the health care "industry"...hospitals in the area are chock-full of underpaid, apathetic illiterates. I'd never go near a hospital...that's where all the sick people are. :-)
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#4. To: who knows what evil (#1)
#6. To: Zipporah (#4)
We are on the verge of a national epidemic..
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