Posted on May 3, 2010

Hundreds Seek to Fill Vacant Positions at Pro’s Ranch Market

Dan Neligh, azfamily (Phoenix), April 22, 2010

Job hunters turned out in the hundreds to fill recently-vacant positions at Pro’s Ranch Market stores, where a federal audit led to the firing of some 300 workers.

Roxanne Nieves, one of the many that came out in search of a job, said she came to apply after she heard about the layoffs.

“We heard they are firing a lot of illegal people, so we’re here to apply,” she said.

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About 300 of the 1,500 total employees at the six Phoenix supermarkets were let go this week after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement audit found them to be working illegally.

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“We need an easy program for employers to use to hire people–safe, easy, quick–so we don’t have to deal with ICE audits,” she [Attorney Julie Pace] said.

Pro’s Ranch Market is among some 1,600 U.S. businesses, including 84 in Arizona, that have undergone ICE audits since July 2009.

ICE says the goal is to reduce demand for illegal employment and protect job opportunities for the nation’s lawful workforce.