Finally are the Feds Considering Enforcing Labor Laws as an Answer to Immigration?

Immigrant rights advocates have long been saying that one way to use enforcement polices in immigration is to enforce labor laws. Is the administration actually listening? NPR had a great piece today that indicated that they might be.

If the administration is trying to make an example of companies like Yamato, it has its work cut out. Deporting workers is relatively easy; making a criminal case against an employer is harder. Current law makes it relatively easy for managers to claim they didn't know their employees were illegal, so investigators may start looking for other kinds of offenses.

Edgar Rebollar, one of the released Mexicans, says the agents have been questioning him about all aspects of their experience at Yamato.

"They asked us if there was racism," he says, "or if they paid some people more than others." Questions like that suggest the government might go beyond immigration violations and try to prosecute Yamato under labor laws.