It was an ordinary day for Pucapella, Pizzeria opulenta in the center of Washington. Until the service is interrupted by the appearance of agents of the Ministry of Internal Security, in search of undocumented employees.
“The agents, in uniforms and armed, reached one of our restaurants without any administrative document, demanding the work permits of our employees. Without a mandate or an inspection notice, they were repressed by our manager,” says Natasha Neely, vice president of Pucapella Restaurants, located in the US capital, as well as in Virginia and Maryland.
A few hours later, on this day of May 6, another pizzeria of the same group located in Capitol Hill, near Congress, was attacked.
From May 6 to 9, US authorities “arrested 189 foreigners in an irregular situation and meant inspection notices to 187 local companies during a strengthened operation of immigration control directed on foreign criminals operating in Washington and its surroundings,” they can read in an ice press statement, the immigration police, published last week.
Inspection opinions are not “unusual,” says Natasha Neely, who ignores why his restaurant, where “everyone has papers,” was attacked. But “applications are generally made by email” and remain purely “administrative.”
Immigrants, “column” of catering
The Republican President, Donald Trump, erected the fight against illegal immigration in absolute priority, evoking an “invasion” of the United States for “abroad criminals” and communicating abundantly in the expulsions of immigrants.
“Immigrants, undocumented, represent an important part of our industry. They are the spine,” says Shawn Towsend, president of the Washington Region Association (RAMW).
In addition to restoration, foreign labor plays a crucial role in many economic sectors, agriculture, services, construction and employers
Even before the inauguration of Donald Trump in January, RAMW “knew that (undocumented workers) would be a priority for the new administration,” he continues. Therefore, the Association has organized workshops in “I-9 forms”, documents to certify that a person is empowered to work in the United States, that employers must fill out.
“I can’t give you the documents that have come to look,” said the owner of a restaurant in the US capital who received the visit of agents from the Ministry of Internal Security two weeks ago. “I will see what the repercussions will be. They may put fines or send me to prison. I don’t know,” he adds.
“Towards a shortage of work”
According to a study conducted by the Littler Mendelson PC law firm, specialized in labor law, 58% of managers questioned the fear that Donald Trump’s anti -immigrants policies create work deficiencies. The sectors of the industry, the hotel and the catering are the most concerned.
Since his restaurant was attacked, “a large part of the employees has not come to work” for fear of being arrested, explains the Anonymous Restorer.
An observation shared by Shawn Towsend: “The political climate in which we are added to the economic challenges that some of our small businesses face, contributes to the level of anxiety of the workers.”
Pizzerias employees Pucapella were “worried”, for the inspection of the authorities: “Let’s be honest, if someone appears in a federal uniform place with guns and bullets, (…) is disconcerting,” says Natasha Neely, whose employees have been prepared for a possible new visit.
“We ensure that all managers know the rights of the restaurant and those of each team member,” he concludes.
Source: BFM TV
