There’s a good reason for many businesses in Los Angeles to be frightened. They are being hassled, fined and may be shut down, at least temporarily, because of the intensified crackdown on illegal immigrants in the workplace.

One big change is in the so-called “no-match” letters that employers get when the Social Security numbers of employees don’t match those on file with the Social Security Administration. In the past, it was up to the employee to straighten out the discrepancy; under a new rule, it’s up to the employer to straighten it out. If they can’t do so quickly (and we all know how fast and easy it is to straighten out a discrepancy with the federal government), they must fire the employee or face the full weight of a federal case.

That and other crackdowns are causing heartburn for the many immigrant-intensive companies in Los Angeles County, particularly manufacturers, landscaping firms, construction contractors and restaurants. One Van Nuys manufacturer that was raided by the feds a few months ago reportedly was set back by about $10 million.

In many cases, the employers did little more than hire folks who may have appeared to have proper documentation. Now, many businesses are re-interviewing employees and presumably dismissing some, losing chunks of their trained workforce. The eventual result of all this: Some manufacturers may go offshore. Other companies may simply go underground.

This problem would not have grown so big if the border had been secured.

Because the federal government consistently failed to seal the border, we have developed a system an entire economic system particularly in Southern California in which illegal immigrants fill low-wage jobs that Americans don’t want to do. That system developed with a wink and a nod, and we’ve all enjoyed the benefits. All of us. Immigrants get jobs. Consumers get cheap car washes and other low-priced goods and services. Employers get low-wage and dependable workers.

Punishing businesses now for the chronic failure of the federal government is acutely unfair.

– – –

Have you noticed that traffic in Los Angeles seems lighter? Some acquaintances and colleagues have told me they believe bottlenecks are fewer. I notice that my commute that typically used to take a little more than an hour now takes less than an hour.

Fewer cars are on the road probably because of the $4-a-gallon cost of gasoline in Los Angeles. We know that Californians are using less gas. The California Board of Equalization reported last week that gasoline consumption in January was down 4.5 percent from the same month last year. Sure, part of that reduction likely is due to the proliferating numbers of fuel-thrifty vehicles, but at least some of it must be due to less driving.

Unfortunately, the slowing economy probably has tapped the brakes on driving, too. Fewer people are driving to jobs or meeting clients, etc. Real estate agents are showing fewer houses.

I’d gladly put up with more traffic if it meant lower gas prices and a more robust economy. Still, a respite from choking traffic, even a small one, is a treat. Imagine: You can actually make a quick trip to the grocery in less than two hours.

If traffic keeps dwindling, maybe we can start doing something rare in Los Angeles: Venture out for lunch meetings.

Charles Crumpley is editor of the Business Journal. He can be reached at

[email protected].