WHITNEYVILLE, Maine (AP) — A wreath manufacturing company in eastern Maine is the first business in the state to sign an agreement with the federal government aimed at preventing unlawful employment of illegal immigrants.
Whitney Wreath President David Whitney and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Bruce Foucart signed the agreement at the company's headquarters in Whitneyville.
Under the voluntary agreement, private companies work with the federal agency to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. The company agrees to conduct self-assessments of its hiring practices to uncover weaknesses that could be exploited by illegal immigrants, and train its staff to use new screening tools.
Whitney Wreath is one of the largest producers of fresh holiday wreaths and provides holiday balsam products for L.L. Bean.