http://www.wibc.com/News/Story.aspx?ID=50714
Indiana
4/30/2006

By the Associated Press

U.S. Representative John Hostettler -- a Republican from Indiana's 8th District -- is suggesting that immigration officials looking for illegal immigrants should target businesses which warn that Monday's planned work boycott by Hispanic employees could force them to scale back their services.

Many Hispanics across the nation plan to take part in a walkout Monday to protest stricter immigration legislation.

Some businesses, such as fast food giant McDonald's, have warned that a mass walkout could impact their ability to provide services.

That prompted Hostettler, R-Ind., to write to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, suggesting that it "look into the hiring practices of McDonald's and other such places of employment that are temporarily closing due to lack of workers on the day of the boycott."

Hostettler, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims, added that: "If McDonald's is concerned that they might not have enough workers to fulfill current production, it follows that many of these workers might be illegal aliens who will be boycotting their jobs that day."

Organizers of Monday's planned protest have been urging immigrants not to shop, work or attend school to highlight the impact of immigrants on American society.

The plans have divided Indiana's Hispanic community, with some groups trying to put a more positive spin on the boycott and others flatly opposing it.

The campaign is aimed at pressuring Congress to legalize undocumented migrants and comes as Congress debates immigration bills proposing everything from toughened border security to the legalization of all 11 million undocumented migrants in America.

Some businesses planned to close or allow immigrant workers to take time off for Monday's protest. Others, including McDonald's, warned customers that service could be disrupted.

Pam Fisher, marketing manager for McDonald's Indianapolis region, said in a statement Friday that the fast-food giant supports the right of employees to participate in Monday's activities but that some restaurants might have to operate with limited crew, limited hours or drive-through service only.

Tyson Foods Inc., which has a pork processing plant in Logansport, said it will temporarily shut down 12 plants nationwide Monday because workers are expected to attend immigration rallies. It did not say if the Logansport plant would be among those closed.

The debate also has brought out protesters on the opposing side.

About 25 people gathered in downtown Indianapolis on Friday holding signs with slogans including "Honk to stop illegal immigration" and "Close our borders now."

Participants came from Fort Wayne, South Bend, Seymour, Valparaiso, Michigan City and Columbus.

"We want the business people to know there are a lot of people like us, who are very worried about the negative impact of illegal immigration and who spend money at their business," said Greg Serbon, Crown Point, state director of the Indiana Federation for Immigration Reform and Enforcement.

One of the protesters, Natisha Cooper, 41, Indianapolis, said it is getting harder to express negative opinions about illegal immigration.

"Many people are afraid to speak up because they will be labeled as racist," she said.