NEBRASKA TASK FORCE RELEASES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPERATION VANGUARD

Last year the INS’s program designed to uncover undocumented workers in the meat packing industry came to a halt in part because of the unwillingness of the Social Security Administration to divulge Social Security numbers. The program, Operation Vanguard, was also widely criticized by leaders in the states where it was in effect. Especially hard hit was the state of Nebraska, where the meat processing industry is a major employer. Indeed, so great was the impact of Operation Vanguard in Nebraska that the governor of the state ordered the creation of a task force to examine and suggest improvements to the program.

This week the task force completed its work, and presented 14 recommendations to make the program more effective and less disruptive for state businesses. The task force was comprised of a broad group of interests, from industry representatives to immigration advocates. Industry was concerned that the program caused workers to flee rather than face the INS, and advocates believe that the INS stepped over privacy lines in the way it conducted the investigations. One of the recommendations is that undocumented workers be granted amnesty.

Of course, the recommendations are not binding on the INS, which is continuing to review Operation Vanguard.

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