American Apparel to Lay Off About 1,500
About 1,500 American Apparel employees are slated for dismissal following an investigation last year by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In July, ICE informed the company that a review of the government’s databases revealed that as many as 1,600 of the Los Angeles–based manufacturer/retailer’s employees do not appear to be authorized to work in the United States. The employees were given time to “resolve the discrepancies in their work records or present valid identification and employment-eligibility documents,” according to an American Apparel statement at the time.
American Apparel founder and Chief Executive Officer Dov Charney posted “A Farewell Letter” to employees on the company’s blog, in which he said he is “deeply saddened” by the layoffs and promised to give “priority treatment” to any employee who reapplies after fixing the immigration discrepancies.
“Although some of you are leaving the company, I want you all to know that when you are able to get your immigration papers in order, you will be given priority treatment in terms of being interviewed for future positions with the company,” said Charney in the letter.
Charney also reiterated his commitment to immigration reform.
“I will continue to fight for immigration reform for the rest of my career,” he said. “Right now I will work hard to put pressure on political forces to help facilitate the legalization of workers here in the country and, as a second priority, help bring about immigration reform on a go-forward basis.”
Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said business owners are in a “Catch-22 situation.” “They either let go of trained and talented staff that know the business [and risk setting] back their capacity [or they choose to] face ICE and immigration enforcement,” she said. “It’s a difficult place to be for an employer and for an employee. In this very difficult economic time, nobody can afford to be let go. The loss of an American Apparel job is even more difficult. It’s a good-paying job and a place where people can have a better livelihood.”
English- and Spanish-language versions of Charney’s letter can be found online at www.scribd.com/doc/19359839/dovs-letter-to-employees.—Alison A. Nieder
