Cintas told NOT to fire illegals in workforce?

I thought I had seen it all, and then the Democrats won in November…

Soon to be chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, has issued a statement to Cintas (the largest uniform supplier in the US and strong Republican supporter) that they could be charged with “illegal activities in violation of state and federal law” resulting from the termination of ANY employee due to an incorrect Social Security number.

Thompson went on to say;

“I am deeply troubled by Cintas’ recent policy change regarding the Social Security Administration’s ‘no match’ letters. It is my understanding that hundreds of Cintas’ immigrant workers have received these letters. I am extremely concerned about any potentially discriminatory actions targeting this community.”

I’m sorry Rep. Thompson, but this suggestion that one would hold a US Corporation CRIMINALLY negligent for firing illegal workers goes above and beyond ridiculous, and borders on insane. Cintas has made it VERY clear that all workers who receive a “no match” latter has 60 days to repair the discrepancy or face termination. It would be very clear to me as a US citizen that all one would have to do is verify that their records match my SS# and to fix the issue if there was a discrepancy. They are not targeting Jo Blow who happened to put down a 2 instead of a 9. They are targeting people who come into our country illegally and assume a SS# that is simply NOT THEIRS as is the case with MANY who sneak into our country. If you’re using a stolen SS# I doubt you would be dumb enough to try and give your employer a completely new one.

According to the Washington Times – “Under existing rules, when a Social Security number does not match a name on a tax or employment eligibility document, the government sends a “no-match” letter asking that the discrepancy be resolved. Of 250 million wage reports the government receives each year, as many as 10 percent belong to employees whose names do not match their Social Security numbers.”

Cintas has responded to Rep. Thompson by saying;

“Cintas, like all employers, has a legal obligation to ensure all employees are legally authorized to work in the US. Cintas has not terminated any employees due to the Social Security mismatches and plans to continue its policy of placing these employees on indefinite leave until they produce the required documentation.”

Thompson then goes on to claim that terminating an illegal worker in this country somehow violates Equal Opportunity Employer legislation. If that’s the direction my country is headed… where anyone can assume anyone else’s identity to secure employment… why not just hand the keys over to Mexico, they’re already TRYING to drive the car.