300 Illegal Workers Arrested at Wal-Marts

[GOPisEvil]

http://www.statesman.com/hp/content/shared/ap/National/Wal_Mart_Arrests.html

Federal officials arrested more than 300 illegal workers at 61 Wal-Mart stores across the country early Thursday morning and searched the Bentonville, Ark., office of one of the retail chain's corporate executives.

"Buy American" doesn't even apply to the employees anymore!

[DBoon]

1. Bet those workers will never strike!

n/t

[loudnclear]

49. So much for the "patriotic" red,white, and blue Wal-Mart

There really is not end to Republican, conservative hypocrisy. The Wal-Mart troves move in, cost tens of thousands Americans livin-wage jobs as they take over the customer base from American retailers and mom&pop stores; swindle the families of deceased workers out of life insurance to which Wal-Mart is the beneficiary while denying their employees affordable life insurance of their own for their families, require workers to work un-reported and un-paid overtime, and bar workers from unionizing. They, like so many other businesses, hire undocumented (illegal) immigrants knowing full well that they can be exploited and won't complain because of their immigrtion status. All the while, the Wal-Mart family pours millions into the coffers of the Republican Party...the party that screams the loudest (with a wink) about illegal immigrants, fights unions on every turn, and are the first to smear as "unpatriotic" peace protesters and those who disagree with the policies of the Bush cabal.

Masters of deceit and hypocrisy! And the sheeple eat it up!

[yankeeinlouisiana]

57. Yep, that's says it all!!

n/t

[Don_G]

2. LOL!!!!

I love it!!

[wryter2000]

3. My hometown

Oaktown voted just last night not to allow Walmart-type stores in the city. What an awful outfit.

[David Zephyr]

28. Oaktown is My Kind of Town!

Congratulations to Oaktown! :toast:

[atreides1]

4. It's Nice To Know....

....that Wal-Mart is a law abiding corporation, NOT.;)

[MaineDem]

5. Holy crap!

This is the best news I've heard in ages!

[benfranklin1776]

6. Continually lowering the bar for labor law compliance aren't they?

Between working employees off the clock, refusing to acknowledge the results of union elections, and
now employing hundreds of workers illegally they always seem to constantly outdo themselves in finding new and innovative
ways to screw the worker. They are the poster child for what is wrong with corporate america whose collective ethos seems to be "Maximize profits by any means necessary fair or foul."

[Bill McBlueState]

11. and the poster child for what is wrong with consumer america

whose collective ethos seems to be "Put up with anything for the lowest possible price"

[catzies]

41. WMass astronomer, welcome to DU!

:hi:

[theHandpuppet]

You said it!!

I finally gave up trying to convince what I believed to be otherwise progressive neighbors from shopping at Wal-Mart. Even when confronted with the facts of this sleazeball outfit whose greed knows no bounds, they concur that the practices are awful but the prices are great! (Sigh) Meanwhile, they complain as locally-owned neighborhood stores -- the grocery, the hardware store, etc -- close down one by one.

Wal-Mart wouldn't be the poster boy for corporate greed if American consumers weren't such enablers!

[benfranklin1776]

52. True, people should use their consumer dollars to oppose such practices.

To the extent that a person who knows what Wal Mart does, but elects to shop there anyways, if they have other shopping options available based on their income, bears a degree of responsibility for consciously subsidizing the company's actions. Withholding the dollars is the ultimate answer I agree, but I cannot condemn people who shop there because they have no other option due to poverty or distance. The ultimate responsibility still rests with the company since they knowingly choose to conduct business in this fashion.

However you have hit on an important issue and question. How many people in the general public know all of these salient details?
Certainly the corporate mass media does not cover these matters extensively. I think a great many people simply do not think about what their dollars are truly buying as a result.

[Skittles]

63. YOU KNOW IT, WMASS

the people who shop at Wal-Mart bear a lot of the blame for this crap.

[rucky]

7. If They Can't Send The Jobs To The Third World....

They Send The Third World To The Jobs.

Call it "insourcing"

[meow2u3]

61. One hell of a slogan you came up with!

Keep up the good work! May I use the slogan for a homemade bumper sticker or T-shirt?

[Wickerman]

8. How anyone can set foot in that store amazes me

what a textbook example of corporate scum...

[0007]

16. Where is an old poor person suppose to shop?

WallMart sure as hell beats the price on most items sold.

[Bandit]

19. That is a concern ~ A major problem in fact

But also you must sometimes sacrifice for the well-being of the country. I have no words of wisdom on this matter. Let your conscience be your guide. Just remember every dollar spent at Walmart is five cents in the republican coffers.

[Blue_Roses]

39. how much more are we suppose to sacrafice

we have high unemployment, no jobs being created, many living on fixed incomes, and unemployment wages, which is scrappy at it's best.

Unfortuantely, Walmart does have lower prices for those of us to poor to shop at the luxury of our choice. However, I do try to shop at Dollar stores and other thrift stores.

It sounds like Walmart may be getting their due.

[Wickerman]

20. Well, had the old people shopped in their downtowns

rather than used gas to drive to the 'burbs they would still have downtown stores to shop at. Thus, saving the gas money to the stores. I truly don't think the cost savings are that great for a single purchaser.

[Retrograde]

26. or is it a false economy?

I've never been to Walmart myself (bad for my blood pressure), but I wonder how real the supposed savings are. Is the product quality the same as at other stores? Or does Walmart carry its own brands - my one data point, yard goods, is that they carry a lower-quality product. And how much of what is purchased is needed, rather than an impulse buy?

I like a bargain as much as most people, but I'd rather spend a bit more for something that will last more than a few months than save a little on stuff I don't really need.

In other threads, people have mentioned Walmart as the only place to buy food within miles. That I admit could be a problem, and I don't have any suggestions.

linda

[Heddi]

46. The savings aren't real

I read once (don't have a link handy, but I'm sure someone else will come along with it) where when Walmarts open in a town, they WILL have lower prices for the first 6 mos or so--lower than Lowes, Home Depot, Mom-N-Pop stores----then, once those businesses are close to closing b/c of walmart encroaching on their customers, or once Walmart has a steady customer base, Walmart's Low Low prices suddenly rise ABOVE what the local average is--HIGHER than mom-n-pop stores----but Walmart customers STILL think they're getting some super bargain...

When I was about 20 or so, I got a roommate---being tight on cash, I went to Walmart to get some jeans and other clothes---HORRIBLE mistake. Firstly, I could have gotten a pair of DECENT jeans for the price I paid for Walmart brand jeans. Secondly, after washing them 2x's, they started falling apart. They shrunk so badly that I couldn't wear them after about a month and a half (and I *DID NOT* gain weight).

Everything they sell that's SAM'S brand (or President's Choice or whatever their 'walmart brand' label is) is pure crapola.

Of course, by the time people realize this, their old tried-and-true, faithful, locally owned or small-business stores have closed, or have had to raise THEIR prices because of the lack of customers.

Walmart should be ashamed of itself.

Where I lived in SC, there were 10--TEN--walmarts in a 10 sq. mile area of town. There was one Walmart that was LITERALLY 5 miles away from the other one---it was grotesque. Traffic in those areas was horrible---beautiful treed lots were not big, concrete parking lots..ech.

[E_Zapata]

9. I can remember a day........

when just having an illegal alien for a maid would take a congerss critter right out of the political power structure......doomed for life.

Good to know all those illegals found 'real jobs' after getting axed by the dudes making the laws in this country!

[maxrandb]

10. Hey I thought illegal immigrants were bad

Isn't that what KKKaleee-fornigropinator-YAAA just told us by electing Rove's empty suit.

Guess it's OK as long as they are "lasso-ing" shopping carts in the parling lot for $5 an hour.

I'm stationed in the San Jauquin valley as I serve a two year penance (active duty Navy) and beleive me, this toxic wasteland of a valley is a penance. Anyway, if they ever kicked out all the folks that work and toil in the cotton fields here, CA's economy would be in REAL trouble.

[frylock]

14. round up all the illegals, and get them out of cali..

then sit back and watch all the white folks wonder what happened to all the fruits and veggies that are no longer in their supermarkets.

[David Zephyr]

30. The Truth About Undocumented Workers

70% of California's agricultural workers are undocumented.

The U.S. must end its xenophobic treatment of Mexicans, our precious neighbors, and change the immigration laws to allow these workers legal status.

[DemCam]

56. That is the truth.

Fat chance that we will become enlightened enough to take a courageous action that will benefit all concerned.

[notadmblnd]

60. The Hispanics in my town work largly in the Landscaping business

One pretty big outfit here (Mich) was accused of smuggling and enslaving these poor people. They made them live 20 or more people to one of their company owned substandard homes and charged them to live there, they were also forced to purchase their clothing from the company. The story faded from the news just as quickly as it broke. As long as these people are willing to come here and work in conditions like that, big companys will bring them here

[Le Taz Hot]

23. OK, because you're a newcomer

not only to DU but to the San Joaquin Valley, I'll refrain from giving you my usual response; however, you don't get off scott free. First of all, Lemoore isn't ALL of the San Joaquin Valley -- it's one little patch out in the middle of corporate farmland where massive amounts of insecticide, fertilizer and other airborn toxins are prominent. As bad as that may be, MOST of the pollution you see comes from the Bay Area, which, by the way, is EXEMPT from pollution standards. Might I suggest you see the REST of the Valley before passing judgment and condemning us WHILE stuffing your mouth full of cheap fruits and veggies? A few suggestions: Fresno, Mariposa, Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Sonora and the THREE National Forests you have just to the east of you.

[maxrandb]

34. OK

I will defer to your knowledge of the valley as a newcomer. I have done all I can to visit the beautiful areas around here. I love the Seqouia's, I love Monterey, Pismo, Pebble Beach, etc. Been to Shaver Lake too. Very nice. I agree that the majority of the polution comes from the Bay area and from LA. That still does not excuse the fact that there is so much polution used and allowed in this valley.

Yeah, it' a great place. A great place for your kids to get asthma, to catch something they call "valley fever" (incurable) from what I understand. We also have all of those beautiful new prisons popping up all over the place with neat folks like Charlie Manson and Sirhan- Sirhan.

Fresno!!!???? You've got to be kidding. It is more dangerous than LA, and is also the home of Freeker founder Rim-Job.

Yeah great valley. Shut off the water and it would turn back into a desert in three years.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

35. Valley fever (coccydiomycosis) is common wherever there is agriculture

dust and..well...cowshit. It is a form of pnuemonia caused by inhalation of spores and is treatable and curable if caught and diagnosed.

[Le Taz Hot]

45. Oy vey

OK, I see another geography lesson is needed. Monterey, Pismo & Pebble Beach are all on the COAST -- that would be WEST of where you are. Shaver Lake is correct, though few of the locals actually go there because it's a tourista spot. We go to the REAL Sierras.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Control District has just issued new polution standards -- after YEARS of fighting the corporate farming interests so we're moving in the right direction. I'm not sure how L.A. & the Bay Area's polution is OUR fault -- Remember, the Bay Area is EXEMPT.

Prisons -- they may not be pretty but they've provided LOTS of employment in an area that was known for an average 30% employment per year. Perhaps you'd like those fine people to go BACK to 30% employment because those prisons are, you know, "unsightly." By the way, there are MORE prisons in L.A. area and the Bay Area/Sacramento Area. I used to work for the CDC -- I know.

Yes, Fresno. I live here. So do three quarters of a million hard-working people -- many of which are liberals who just got off of working 16-hour days working against the recall. Judging 750,000 hard-working people by ONE right-wing whacko is a bit disingenuous, wouldn't you say? No right-wing wackos in your hometown? You are truly blessed. (/sarcasm)

Your facts about our crime rate are WAY off. I suggest you look them up BEFORE making base accusations or do I have to do THAT for you too?

Shut off the water? MOST of the water goes to the Bay Area and L.A. Comes from the Sierras and it was hard-working Italian, Armenian and Mexican imigrants who BUILT that system that allows the San Joaquin Valley to supply 60% -- yes, you read that right -- 60% of the NATION'S food supply.

I cannot believe ANYONE would be so incredibly RUDE as to move to a place (YOU joined the service, ace) and insult over a million people -- and apparently not actually know one of them.

Funny, I can travel all over the world and find something good about every place I've ever been to AND it's residents. Apparently, where you grew up, this is an acceptable practice.

On second thought, stay in Lemoore with all your good ole' boys fly boys, drinking your brewskies and putting down the locals whose food you're eating and whose hospitality you are taking advantage of. Real class, dude!

[maxrandb]

47. Thanks for the Flame

Thank you gracious one for enlightening me. I'm sorry I struck a nerve. Since when is it rude to express an opinion. I guess if my kids get sick, or the place smells like cow-dung every day, I should just shut up and be thankful for all the pretty bugs and the two or three days a summer when there is NOT an air quality warning.

I think when I saw the Pacific Ocean at Monterey and Pismo, I realized they were on the coast, but thanks for pointing that out. Especially since I said that I liked several areas that were "close" to here. I may be rude, but I think I could figure out that Monterey and Pismo were NOT in the valley. I also think it is great that they built those prisons to solve the unemployment problem. Maybe if we did not put non-violent drug offenders into prison; maybe if we did not have the highest incarceration rate in the civilized world, maybe if we showed some true compassion, then those folks wouldn't have a job at the prison. I am really glad that you are so supportive of the governments prison construction work program.

I am simply stating my opinion that the San Jauquin Valley is one of the most polluted areas in the country. I have always done my best to find the good things about the various places I have been. Being that I move quite a bit, that turns out to be something that I have to do. I do find a lot of good around this area. You just have to drive a couple of hours in any direction to find it.

I am not trying to define Fresno by sighting one right wing nut-case. Maybe you could explain to me why a place that has so many enviromental problems is so heavily supportive of the political side that wants to eviscerate even the most basic enviromental controls?!!

Oh, and for your information, I am not a "fly-boy", or a good ole' boy. I do enjoy an occasional beer though. I would also challenge you to point out where I ever put down the locals. Can't I love the people, but hate the area?

[Le Taz Hot]

50. You call that a flame?

LOL! You ARE new, aren't you? The place smells like cow dung 'cause there are DAIRY FARMS. Enjoy that steak tonight while you're bitching about the cow smell-- it's kind of a by-product, y'know?

And why blame the San Joaquin Valley (PLEASE at LEAST get the spelling right) for mandatory drug sentencing? Those are Federal laws, not San Joaquin Valley laws and I support employing the unemployed. We didn't write the laws, the federal government did and the state of California had to build more prisons in order to comply with the mandatory FEDERAL drug sentencing laws. No prisons around your hometown I take it?

We have a lot of Republicans here because we have a lot of farmers here. They support Republicans because Republicans get them big, fat, farm subsidies. We also have almost as many Democrats here. I just signed up 43 more yesterday at the CSUF campus in 5 hours. You're welcome.

You remind me of a person I had the misfortune of traveling with once. Bitched and moaned and groaned everywhere we went. The people don't speak English, there are beggers on the street, everyplace stunk, the food was bad, the hotels were bad and on and on. Funny, I went to the same places and found the people delightful, found that a rudimentary knowledge of the language and RESPECT FOR THE CULTURE got me a lot of places only the locals knew about, the food was delightfully different than what I was used to and the hotels had a bed and a hot shower -- all I needed.

Tell me something. When you are a GUEST in someone's home are you equally degrading of your host's home and the residents who live there? Think about it.

[maxrandb]

51. OK Let's end this silliness

Of course I am respectful of people when I am visiting their home. I never once said anything bad about the PEOPLE of the valley, except for maybe that shot at Rim-Job (deserved shot I hope you would agree).

Look, I have had the great fortune to have touched every continent in the world. I've eaten sushi in Hong Kong, I've performed voluntary dental care in Lagos, Nigeria, I've enjoyed eel and mash in London.

I embrace the culture and the people of the various places I have visited, and I am a much better person because of that. I have developed a taste for "tri-tip". I love the mobile taco and buritto stands. I have met many wonderful people in this area of the valley, but none of that changes the fact that it is one of the worst places in the country to live. A landscape kind of like Afghanistan without the bombs. I've travelled all over this country and I have never seen a place with more garbage lining the freeways. If it offends you that I point this out, I'm sorry. Even the trees here are ugly.

Besides, this is supposed to be a thread about illegal immigrants working at Wal-Mart. Let's agree to disagree and get back on message.

[David Zephyr]

53. Next Time, Try the Dim Sum in Hong Kong

It will be far better than the sushi.

[Le Taz Hot]

54. Well, don't flame my hometown and you won't have a problem with me.

Now, may I suggest the Metropolitan Museum, Latinos Americanas, beerocks, the Underground Gardens, the Japanese Gardens, the Chaffee Zoo, the countless farmer's markets, the Blossom Trail, the Wildflower Trail, the Big Trees in Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the NUMEROUS cultural fairs, the Tower District, Lauck's Bakery (see beerocks), Good Company Players, Second Space, Theater 3, the Sierra Opera Company, the world-renowned Fresno State Jazz Band, the Fresno Grizzlies (if you like baseball), Big Hat Days in Clovis, Club Fred's, the Brass Unicorn, Christmas Tree Lane, Fig Garden District, the Democratic Party Office (to see progressive, hard-working liberals who DONATE their time), Fresno Pacific University (ranked sixth in the Western United States for Liberal Arts Colleges), and Cuca's. When you're done experiencing these wonderful things, let me know and I'll be happy to provide you with the remaining 90% of what is wonderful about this area.

[BuckeFushe]

12. Uh folks, hey were contract employees of the cleaning crews

Wal-Fart comes out squeeky clean from this.

[demdave]

22. You don't expect people to actually read tha article ...do you?

That would take time out from baseless ranting.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

38. LOL.....POT MEET KETTLE

"various immigration violations had continued to occur with direct knowledge by the Wal-Mart corporation."

[maxrandb]

13. Also Interesting

They were members of a cleaning crew and were arrested AFTER THE END OF THEIR SHIFT!!!! According to the article.

Nice huh? Don't want to get them until after they had finished their job. BASTARDS.

I am a recovering Walmart shopper. Sucked in by the convenience, but no more. I think Tar-get (t is pronounced silent) has better quality and is just as reasonable.

[David Zephyr]

40. Yep. And Thanks for Pointing That Out.

"The workers, members of cleaning crews that the company hired through contractors, were arrested as they finished their night shifts at stores in 21 states."

Walmart won't even have to pay for that last scrubbing of their stores. "...as the finished their night shifts at stores in 21 states..."

[Hawkeye-X]

48. And Senator Mark Dayton's (D-MN) family owns Target

and I shop there.

The newest SuperTarget just opened about 3 miles from my house. The older Target was closed for renovations. Mervyn's (also owned by the Dayton family) is right next to it, and sells nice clothing/shoes.

Hawkeye-X

[VeniceBeat]

15. Please Continue to Honor Supermarket Strikers

And support those who agitate for the unionization of Walmart!

It's the Superstores that are dragging down wages in all related industries.

But then-- you already knew that! :hi:

[rook1]

17. I don't like Wal-Mart

They tried to build a superstore 4 blocks from my house two years ago. They went to the city council under the guise of a developement company. We were told they were going to build an upscale shopping center. After everyone voted to amend the zoning laws they announced that it was in fact a super store that was going to be built. This would have devastated the small businesses in the area.
The people got together and forced the city to resend the zoning change. Walmart sued and it was thrown out of court.

I never shop at Walmart and I have no love for their business practices but I think you will find that the illegals that were arrested don't work directly for Walmart. Like many companies Wally World hires contract companies to clean their buildings. The manager in charge of dealing with this contract company will definately have some explaining to do. I hope they fine the shit out of them.

[lolly]

59. Hey, sounds familiar . . .

That's exactly what they did here in Porter Ranch (near Northridge, CA).

Promised a "upscale," high-end shopping center, then claimed that, after further study, they didn't think the area would support it--then, whammo, in came the Wal-Mart.

[Spirochete]

18. I'll bet it was payday...

and the checks hadn't been handed out yet.
The Juan Corona School of Business Administration:"Load the shotgun - it's payday"

[David Zephyr]

32. Wouldn't Surprize Me, VancSouthpaw

Wouldn't surprize me at all.

[Demoiselle]

21. I know how evil WalMart & Co. are, but...

am I wrong-headed to feel really sorry for the workers?
What will happen to them? (I know, I know, they're taking jobs and all that....but)

[Gin]

25. I have no sympathy for them...and Mexico should start to take care

of it's own citizens. Fox is making us pay for the services he does not have to provide. We are paying for the full load. It's time to stop.

[CabalBuster]

29. Check you assumptions....you sound like a repug

NAFTA and US trade has ruined the Mexican economy, it is only fit that those workers who can't find jobs in Mexico come to the US to make a living. Illegal immigrants don't qualify for services in this country, so they're hardly taking anything away from us. On the other hand, they buy goods and services and spent their hard-earned dollars in this country. As a Dean supporter, you should know this.

[Snow]

43. Check a coupla other assumptions, as well

the illegal janitors were Eastern Europeans....

[mulsh]

24. How come?

law enforcement has enough evidence to arrest over 300 wokers through out the country but not enough evidence to arrest their any of their employers?

[alarimer]

37. I don't get this either

Companies I guess would have to pay a fine for using illegals but probably tomorrow will be business as usual.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

27. In the matter of WHO BENEFITS from illegal immigration..I REST MY CASE!

[corarose]

31. They are creating more jobs for us Americans

Jr says he is creating more jobs for us AmiKUNS.

[David Zephyr]

33. What About the Families of These Workers?

Deportees (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) Lyrics

Lyrics by Woody Guthrie & Music by Martin Hoffman

The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting
The oranges are piled in their cresote dumps
They're flying you back to the Mexico border
To pay all your money to wade back again

My father's own father, he wanted that river
They took all the money he made in his life
My brothers and sisters come working the fruit trees
And they rode the truck till they took down and died

CHORUS
Good-bye to my Juan, good-bye Rosalita
Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maris
You won't have a name when you ride the big air-plane
And all they will call you will be deportees.

Some of us are illega, and others not wanted
Our work contract's out and we have to move on
But it's six hundred miles to that Mexican border
They chase us like outlaws, like rustlers, like theives.

We died in your hills, we died in your deserts
We died in your valleys and died on your plains
We died 'neath your trees and we died in your bushes
Both sides of the river, we died just the same.

CHORUS

A sky plane caught fire over Los Gatos canyon
Like a fireball of lightning, it shook all our hills
Who are all these friends, all scattered like dry leaves?
The radio says they are just deportees.

Is this the best way we can grow our big orchards?
Is this the best way we can grow our good fruit?
To fall like dry leaves to rot on my topsoil
And be called by no name except deportees?

[corarose]

36. They don't care about breaking up families

They could care less.

[Desperadoe]

42. You forgot the part where

Lucinda Williams says to David Rodriguez........."Pick it David" or the verse that Nancy Griffith sings in Spanish.

A great old Woody song that has been covered by some of our best folk artists. Still as relevent today as it was 40 years ago. What a damn shame.

[Snow]

44. So, why did this happen?

As I asked on the other thread, did walmart forget to bribe someone?

A freeper made a good point (I know, I know - ice on lakes in hell, pigs flapping by overhead) that perhaps arresting the white illegals is a prelude to scooping up a bunch of brown illegals while being able to fend off charges of racism ("see, we just arrested all these ukranians").

[Peace_2_Everyone]

55. Wally mart knew it was coming

The Taiwanese cleaning lady at our small town wally world disappeared about a month ago, it was rumored she didn’t have a SS #. A good source that works in a wally world very close to Wally World’s home office told me their cleaning crew disappeared about a week ago and that was ok with him cause he couldn’t understand a word they said.
I am sure wally bribed enough officials to lessen the blow, CBS reported wallly could face up to $10K per illegal! HAHA that’s clump change to the Greedy Oppressive Profiteers that run Wally’s World.

yes Thursday was payday!

[grilled onions]

58. I can picture the scenario now..

As immigration runs in the store one by one the shopping cart greeter says "Good morning! Cart? Cart? Cart for you sir?"

[Skittles]

62. I'd expect as much from Wal-Mart

honestly, they are f***ing disgusting beyond belief. Those commercials they are running about what a great company it is to work for - :puke: