The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "illegal workers" ...
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A story of hope, and a lopsided deal
A six-month Boston Globe investigation revealed that a contractor from California was repeatedly employing impoverished, drug-addicted men from an evangelical church to renovate hotels across the country. The story started in Boston, where reporter Casey Ross discovered that the contractor, Installations Plus, was paying illegally low wages to workers trucked up from Victory Outreach Church in Philadelphia. He also traced the illegal behavior to other Massachusetts communities and then to California, where he spent several days tracking down Victory Outreach members who recalled working for the contractor in that state. The result of his reporting was a richly detailed narrative that took readers into a little-known corner of America’s underground economy. After the story’s publication, the state of Massachusetts announced an effort to strengthen labor enforcement against companies that fund and manage projects where significant violations are found. In addition, California labor officials initiated an investigation into the employment practices of Installations Plus.
Tags: Economy; low wages; contractor; workers
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Dairyland Diversity
Wisconsin's dairy industry has seen an influx of immigrant laborers in recent years. While the workers have contributed to growth in the industry, they have also put the farmers in potential legal peril.
Tags: farmer; dairy; immigrant; illegal; immigration; rural; Wisconsin
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"Exploring E-Verify"
In this series, Christine Rogel investigates the employee verification system, E-Verify. The program is individualized by state, and in Arizona, it is mandatory for all employees. The purpose of the program is to prevent identity theft and ensure legal employment of all workers.
Tags: identity theft; employee verification program; illegal immigrant
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Postville Series
Postville, Iowa lost a third of its population on May 12, 2008 when the Dept. of Homeland Security raided a kosher meat-packing plant that resulted in nearly 400 undocumented workers were detained.
Tags: false identity; illegal immigrant; green card; Agriprocessors; St. Bridget's Catholic Church; union;
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Ghost Drivers
"For years, Indiana has suffered the embarrassment and dubious distinction as a "fraud Friendly" state when it comes to obtaining bogus licenses and identification cards. A new administration vowed to put a stop to it. But 13 investigates discovered the state's top agencies for prosecuting fraud weren't following through on the legal end. Investigative Reporter Sandra Chapman began tracking the case of an accused Bureau of Motor Vehicles worker accused of fraud. What she found instead was a system allowing known illegal drivers using social security numbers from decreased residents to operate free and clear of Indiana law."
Tags: identification cards; identity fraud; fake credentials; drivers licenses; driving records
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Nobodies: Modern American Slave Labor and the Dark Side of the New Global Economy
"The book uncovers three labor environments where modern-day enslavement or near-enslavement of immigrants has taken place on American soil." Bowe looks at outsourcing, unpaid and illegal immigrant workers, and other loopholes in the American business system.
Tags: immigrant; immigration; outsourcing; India; Kuwait; Saipan; Florida; Oklahoma; employee; employer; PepsiCo; Tropicana; John Pickle Company; clothing; factory; Gap; Target;
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Human Smuggling
The Arizona Republic tackles the issue and the "big business" of human smuggling. This investigation "shows how coyote rings operate not just by guiding illegal immigrants across the U.S. border, but by engaging in money-laundering, bribery, forgery and other crimes." Wire transfer companies including Western Union were funneling money to these Arizona-based criminals.
Tags: Human trafficking; human smuggling; illegal immigration; undocumented workers
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Uncovering 'Coingate': From State of Turmoil to State of Change
In the second year of investigations into corruption in the State of Ohio, a Toledo Blade investigation into investment and corruption scandals takes down a former COP county chairman who channeled illegal contributions through more than 20 conduits into the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign.
Tags: Ohio Bureau of Investigation; kickbacks; Ohio Republican Party; Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation; hedge funds; Coingate; GOP fundraiser Tom Noe; rare coin trading; pay-to-play; contribution laundering
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Hiding in Plain Sight: Illegal Immigration in the Carolinas
With the help of the Charlotte Observer, WCNC-TV investigates the effect of illegal immigration on the Carolinas. Reporting in Mexico is part of the study as they find: that a government database designed to help employers verify social security numbers encourages illegal workers to steal numbers, stores sell "international drivers licenses" that are worthless, a congressional candidate who took his opponent to task regarding illegal immigrants has actually benefited from illegal workers, and Spanish speaking "notarios" give legal advice they are not licensed to give, getting the immigrants in more trouble.
Tags: Illegal immigrants; undocumented workers; immigration as a political issue; social security numbers; illegal legal advice
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"Identities for Sale"
This segment tells the story of Mexican nationals buying stolen identities on the black market and proceeding to the U.S. to find work. 60 Minutes II then shows a factory in Nebraska where the illegal workers find jobs.
Tags: Illegal immigration; INS; stolen identities; black market; low wage workers; poverty