7 LATINO WORKERS SUE INS : UP TO 4,000 MAY JOIN DISCRIMINATION FILING.Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer Seven Immigration and Naturalization Service Noun 1. Immigration and Naturalization Service - an agency in the Department of Justice that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to the United States INS workers filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing the agency of discriminating against Latino employees. The class-action lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. on behalf of up to 4,000 INS INS abbr. 1. Immigration and Naturalization Service 2. International News Service Noun 1. INS employees nationwide. The suit claims Latinos are excluded from higher paying or managerial positions, and denied perks offered to non-Latino employees. ``There is a pattern of discrimination and denial of advancement which has resulted in an inability for Hispanic members of the INS to rise to the higher levels,'' said Santa Monica-based attorney, Gary Paul, who is representing the seven employees named in the suit. An INS spokesperson could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. The lawsuit names United States Attorney United States Attorneys (also known as federal prosecutors) represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. General Janet Reno Janet Reno (born July 21, 1938) was the first and to date only female Attorney General of the United States (1993–2001). She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1993, and confirmed on March 11. , whose office oversees the INS, as the defendant. The employees are asking the INS to stop immediately what Paul called ``the pattern of discrimination and lack of recognition'' of Latino workers. Also, they are seeking financial compensation for their inability to move up, Paul said. Although no amount has been set, he said, the lawsuit could result in millions of dollars in back payments to employees. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the suit, Latino employees are denied training and access to promotions to higher-paying or management positions, bonuses and overtime, and are treated as ``second-class citizens.'' The court document states that some Latino employees were passed over for promotions, which were given instead to non-Latino workers with less experience. The suit also accuses the INS of discriminating against Latina workers on the basis of gender, as well as race. |
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