New ID scrutiny - Mayor's eateries will require better proof in wake of slaying - Articles - CAIR

The manager of Mayor John Hickenlooper's restaurants is tightening the company's hiring policies regarding the employment of illegal immigrants.

Applicants won't get a job if they can't produce a valid Social Security number.

Few, if any, restaurants in the area have such a strict regulation.

"We reviewed the company's polices and saw some areas where we could tighten things up and make some changes," said Mark Eddy, a spokesman for Wynkoop Holdings Inc.

"At the time people are hired, as a condition of employment, their Social Security numbers need to check out," Eddy said. "We're acting in a deliberate manner to make sure the new policy is fair, accurate and effective."

The change in policy comes two weeks after an illegal immigrant working as a dishwasher at the Cherry Cricket - which is co-owned by the mayor - allegedly shot and killed Denver police Detective Donald Young.

The suspect, Raul Garcia-Gomez, is still at large.

In the days after the shooting, Wynkoop Holdings revealed it had received an annual notice in April from Social Security listing incorrect numbers for about 107 employees, including Garcia-Gomez's.

Of that number, 51 still work at eight of the nine restaurants co-owned by the mayor. The Wynkoop in lower downtown is the only restaurant that appeared to have a clean slate.

The company employs 700 to 800 workers over the course of a year. It has given current employees 30 days to clear any Social Security discrepancies they may have.

Those who fail to do so could likely find themselves out of a job, Eddy said.

"We're giving them 30 days to contact Social Security Administration to get this worked out," he said. "If they don't get it worked out, I don't think they'll be able to work there."

The company also plans to take advantage of a service provided by the Social Security Administration that allows employers to call to verify information provided by potential hires....

The Colorado Restaurant Association could not say Monday how many other restaurants have a similar hiring policy.

It remains to be seen if other restaurants, many of which grapple with 100 percent turnover in their staffs each year, will follow Wynkoop Holdings' lead....