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April 26, 2006
 
 

Supreme Court Hearing Immigration RICO Case Today


"In legal cases with potential repercussions for businesses and employees, current and former workers are accusing U.S. companies of violating immigration law and driving down wages. The federal lawsuits — against carpet maker Mohawk Industries, Tyson Foods, retailer Wal-Mart, and others — are winding their way through appeals courts. The Mohawk case will be argued today before the U.S. Supreme Court. The class-action lawsuits were filed by plaintiffs under the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) statute, typically used against organized crime," USA Today writes. In the Mohawk case, the former workers allege that the carpet manufacturer conspired with employment agencies to hire undocumented immigrants from Mexico. Mohawk used forged Social Security cards and recruited workers from the border at Brownsville, Texas, the suit alleges. Johnson & Bell attorney Howard Foster, who represents workers in the Mohawk case and similar lawsuits, says, 'The key issue is, can a corporation be sued for engaging in illegal conduct with its recruiters? If we win this case, there probably will be quite a few more cases filed against corporations.'"

[FAIR staff attended the court session today, and FAIR along with other groups filed an amicus brief with the court in support of Howard Foster and the plaintiffs.] [Also see: Slate write-up]

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