Did they ask the INS if they had something on them?

Everyone wants cheap prices so they don't take the time to check with INS. However, if you do want to check with INS or Social Security there is a requirement that you must hire them before you do the check. This is to prevent any "illegal random investigations". After you hire them you can get their permission to do this check. Normally, they do not agree to this and you don't end up hiring them. After this process, you just hire them illegally. This is one of the flukes in our INS and SS Laws that many do not understand. It is a negative for most people to deal with so people don't bother trying to find out the info.

snomis: Not necessarily cheap. I paid $35 per hour per person. And you are right, I didn't bother. It was easier this way. This was an expensive, heart breaking lesson to learn.

Good reason to use an insured agency -- and ask what background checks they do on their employees. They are required to do some checking of docs that demonstrate the applicant has the legal right to work in this country -- although it's a pretty leaky process as forged docs are generally available on the sly. Good background checks go into other matters from public records, at least. Nothing is foolproof (hence the insurance), but you can adjust the odds in your favor. A secure place for your truly valuables is also a balancing of safety and inconvenience or expense.

As for "heart-breaking," I suppose if we're taking about great-gramma's heirloom brooch, but otherwise it's just stuff.

The social security # check is a JOKE! A worker turned in a SS # as 123-45-6789. Employer called to verify such a suspicious number and was told the prospective employee "had shown a # so accept it! Kill the dream act ---save America

Diane: Would you link your source, please?

Thanks!

I agree---kill the dream act---the semi riot of hatred by Mexicans at the soccer game in LA last week is telling. Immigrants USED to desire assimilation and love for this--their new country. No more.

@Rita: I have just a few Qs for you.

How many Dream Act kids do you suppose were in that "riot?"

Do you ever wonder how many years of your own life you are losing to all that self-imposed fear and hostility?

And why must people trade-in their heritage to live here? Did you trade-in yours?

Anyone know what company these housekeepers worked for?

Here are a few questions for "cardinal":
Is disagreeing with illegal acts an expression of self imposed fear and hatred?
What stopped you from calling her a "racist"?
Are rioting and vandalism one's heritage?
How deep must one bury one's head in the sand to scape reality so one can be at peace?

Once you answer these, I'll have some more!

Here you go, jakie:

No, but her attempt to heap abuse on a very large and diverse group of people, based on a thoroughly irrelevant, separate and isolated incident is evidence of badly misplaced logic, born of fear and sadly jingoistic hatred.

I didn't call her a racist because I have no evidence that she is. She might be, or she might be Mother flippin' Teresa on that score. Why do you ask -- is she?

The heritage comment pretty obviously referred-to her "assimilation" claim, which was dubious on the facts and unnecessary, regardless. Try to keep up.

I will leave any conclusions about heads buried in dark places to your remarkable spinal flexibility. I Can tell you that the view from the moral high ground is excellent.

Have a happy 4th, citizen.

How did racism, dream act and unruly conduct at a soccer match become the topic? (that's pretty funny unruly conduct at a soccer match) anyway did anyone answer Ro's question?

Did these ladies work for a company or referred privately by a friend?