From: patrick opondi
Subject: Crackdown
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 6:18 AM
I work for an institution that last month witnessed the termination of over 2000 employees country in one month because of unvalidated paper works.( http://www.startrib une.com/local/ 69723752. html?elr= KArks:DCiUHc3E7_ V_nDaycUiD3aPc: _Yyc:aUU ).
The administration is tightening the noose, targetting employers in a bid to crackdown on un documented workers. Once the employees are terminated, they are likely to leave voluntarily or wait for the inevitable,a knock at the door by the enforcement agencies, leading to lengthy and expensive protracted legal cases.
Where as the community has been very supportive to its members faced with such complications, the situation is likely to worsen as the dragnet is cast wider. Depending on the number of ‘our’ people likely to be affected, it may soon be a case for each man for himself. Those willing to help may soon be overwhelmed and there are other pending humantarian needs of great importance that requires the very attention of these men and women of generosity.
What can we do? For those who may recall Ole’Ntimama and his Enosopukia eveiction orders of the 90’s, this is the time to ‘lie low like an envelope’, particularly to those who are likely to be targeted. Just avoid those things that can expose you, dont be on the wrong side of the law,if you can, at all cost. You individually know what may be the wrong side of the law, without seeking for a lengthy qualification of the statement.
If you are working, you can tell when the writing is on the wall. When they begin to ask you to provide this and that, dont rush to issue what you think is not very authentic. If need be, consult. The best would be to live that employment because the very documents you give can be used against you.
What is plan B? Each time, be prepared to exit and return home. It is important to make prudent savings and small investment back home, to keep base there. This are things you can fall back to, when the going gets tough here. Let us not be immeresed, carried away with the ‘American dream’, that we continuously curse and forget home. There are individuals who are likely to get carried away, living big on borrowed time. Jaluo ne owacho ni chako chony loyo dhi ajuoga.
From: Zedekiah Nyanchama
Subject: Re Crackdown – on the so called illegal Immigrants
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:38 AM
Mr. Opondi has good advice if you care to read/listen.
It true that such kind of crackdowns are doing rounds. At my place of work, people with 8 plus years were sent home in the last week due to lack of proper makaratasi. If you have a job, please save and be prepared for any eventuality. Things are elephant.
Zedekiah Nyanchama
From: Tebiti Oisaboke
Date: Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Subject: Crackdown – on the so called illegal Immigrants
Brother Opondi;
This is the second makaratasi related mass layoffs I have heard of in resent months. Last October, about 1500 people lost jobs in Caali after the ICE officials showed up at their company’s offices and conducted an impromptu audit which revealed that alot of the employees had no working documents. The employer was given an ultimatum to either fire them or face stiff legal penalties. ICE promised the company owners that they will not persue legal ramifications against them if they chose the former. The owner had no option other that comply with the order. With the current stiff financial turbulents going on in the world circles, ICE is said to financially incapable of sending a large number of people back to their country of origin let alone arrest and keep them in detention for long. California is one of the states which had straggled to balance her balance sheet (Budget) this year and was forced to release some prisoners even before their jail time was up. It costs more to maintain an ICE detenee than a regular American inmate. I therefore concur with you that the only and only option is for someone to lie down as a leopard awaiting for its prey to come by, and avoid raising ruffles which might compromise your freeddom in your adopted comfort zome. Lets all pray the long awaited immigration review law will resurface and be passed in congress next year.
Be Blessed
TOI
CLT-NC