Countryside Volunteers to Screen for Undocumented Workers

Countryside Health Care of Milford (formerly known as The Geriatric Authority) has followed the town's lead by partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and joining the IMAGE employment compliance program.

Milford town officials in August became the first municipality in New England to approve this agreement with ICE that will screen employees. The so-called IMAGE Program sends all I-9 forms submitted by employees through the ICE databases.

The partnership is largely symbolic, in that town officials have said they do not expect to find that any town government or school employees are working here illegally.

But it was intended to set an example for private businesses.

In a press release, ICE announced that Countryside Health Care is one such business that has signed on to the program.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Countryside Health Care of Milford to our IMAGE family," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston. "When employers make a commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it's good not only for their business, but for the community and the nation. ICE actively pursues partnership with those employers that want to comply with employment eligibility verification requirements, including local governments throughout New England. By partnering with ICE, employers receive invaluable training and the tools necessary to ensure a lawful workforce.

"I am hopeful that other municipalities and companies will follow the actions of Countryside and the Town of Milford."

Countryside Health Care of Milford is a nonprofit, municipal, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility.

Employers that are certified with ICE through the IMAGE program pledge to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. 

Many town residents have become more outspoken and visibly frustrated with illegal immigration, and its impacts on Milford, since the Aug. 20, 2011 death of 23-year-old Matthew Denice.

was killed while riding his motorcyle, after a man who police say was driving while intoxicated, and living in the U.S. illegally, collided with him, then dragged him in the road. The man was arrested after fleeing the scene.

Denice's death triggered a series of events, including a meeting among Ecuadorian officials and town leaders, and a citizen's protest of illegal immigration. In signing on with the IMAGE Program, town officials said they are doing what they can to encourage compliance with federal immigration law.

Mary MacDonald contributed to this story.