I-9 Audit Threatens Apple Packing Plant

"Hundreds of workers at a central Washington apple-packaging company could be laid off after a federal immigration audit.  Crunch Pak notified its employees Friday that they need to provide documents proving they can work in the United States legally after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audit unveiled discrepancies in the payroll, The Wenatchee World reported Saturday.  Company spokeswoman Amy Philpott confirmed the audit but did not say how many employees were affected. The audit began in August, and workers under review were notified the next month, she said.  Vicky Castro of East Wenatchee estimated that 90 percent of the people she works with were notified.  Crunch Pak, which packages apple slices, employs about 900 people in Cashmere.  The layoffs could begin May 19.  “What the company wants is for every employee to have the chance to correct their information or amend their paperwork,” Philpott said.  Under an I-9 audit, employees are given 10 days to correct any discrepancies.  The affected employees received their paychecks Friday attached to a notification letter and a blank form that they could use to correct, if possible, any errors in their records." - AP, May 10, 2014.