For Immediate Release: October 2, 2007

Contacts: Germonique Jones 202-339-9331; Cheryl Aguilar 202-339-9316

SS No Match Temporary Restraining Order Must Be Extended Indefinitely
Racial Discrimination and Worker Exploitation Hurts Our Communities

(Washington, DC) Yesterday, a federal judge extended for 10 days a temporary restraining order that stops the government from implementing a new rule by the Department of Homeland Security which would force employers to fire workers based on information in the erroneous Social Security Administration’s database.   The judge’s decision is in response to a law suit filed in August by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Immigration Law Center and the Central Labor Council of Alameda County along with other local labor movements, charging that the Department of Homeland Security rule violates the law and workers’ rights.

Statement by The Center for Community Change (CCC):

“The Center for Community Change applauds the judge’s decision to extend the temporary restraining order which represents a great first step, however, we strongly believe that these letters should be stopped permanently.  The Social Security Administration has held off on sending letters to approximately 140,000 employers which would impact about 8 million workers across the country.  These letters account for less than 2% of the corrections made to the Social Security database and have caused the unlawful firing and retaliation against thousands of workers over the past several years. 

“What was meant as an administrative process for properly crediting social security earnings would wrongly be used by the Department of Homeland Security as an immigration enforcement tool and would increase racial discrimination against individuals who look or sound foreign. United States born and immigrant workers alike would be affected as law-abiding employers feel obligated to comply with new, tougher regulations, while unscrupulous employers exploit the most vulnerable low wage workers who are trying to make ends meet to support their families.  Simply put, the “No Match” letters must be stopped as it will hurt our communities by destabilizing the local workforce.” 

###

Founded in 1968 to honor the life and values of Robert F. Kennedy, the Center for Community Change is one of the longest-standing champions for low-income people and communities of color. www.www.communitychange.org