Editor’s note: The following is a press release from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
18 illegal alien workers for The Sun Valley Group arrested in ICE operation
Enforcement action at Arcata flower grower is part of ongoing ICE investigation
ARCATA, Calif.- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents executed a federal search warrant here this morning at the local headquarters of one of the state’s major wholesale flower growers, The Sun Valley Group, arresting 18 illegal alien workers on administrative immigration violations.
Today’s arrests are the result of an ongoing investigation that originated with a call to ICE’s tip line. During the ensuing probe, agents uncovered evidence that some of The Sun Valley Group’s workers used Social Security numbers and alien registration numbers that were either fraudulent, did not belong to them, or did not authorize employment. In addition, some of the company’s workers are believed to have falsely claimed to be United States citizens or legal permanent residents.
“Employment is one of the key factors fueling illegal immigration, which is why worksite enforcement is a crucial part of our interior immigration enforcement strategy,” said Mark Wollman, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Francisco. “Every job held by an illegal alien is a job taken from a U.S citizen or legal resident of this area.”
All of the illegal alien workers identified during today’s operation, including 14 men and four women, are citizens of Mexico. They are being photographed, fingerprinted and processed by ICE. They are also being interviewed to elicit information about possible health, caregiver or other humanitarian issues, and to identify any urgent medical needs. The information aids ICE in making decisions about whether to detain an individual or permit a conditional humanitarian release.
As of late this afternoon, four of those arrested had been released from ICE custody. One of the male workers, who had an extensive criminal record, was turned over to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department based on an outstanding warrant issued out of Southern California. In addition, three men were released initially on humanitarian grounds pending future immigration proceedings. The majority of the remaining illegal workers are expected to be released later today under supervision while they await an immigration hearing.
Any illegal aliens encountered during the enforcement action who have prior criminal convictions or deportations will be transferred to ICE contract detention facilities in northern California and held pending an immigration hearing.
ICE has set up several local phone numbers family members of those arrested can call to get information about their relatives’ detention status and the removal process. The phone numbers are: (707) 536-8808, 536-8595 or 536-7470. ICE agents handed out cards with the phone numbers to workers and family members who were encountered at the enforcement location.
Since ICE was established in March 2003, it has dramatically enhanced its efforts to combat the unlawful employment of illegal aliens in this country. So far this fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2007 through Aug. 15, 2008), ICE has made 1,035 criminal arrests tied to worksite enforcement investigations. Of those, 121 are owners, managers, supervisors or human resources employees accused of violations ranging from alien harboring to knowingly hiring illegal aliens. The remaining criminal defendants are workers arrested on charges including aggravated identity theft and Social Security fraud. ICE has also made approximately 4,500 administrative arrests for immigration violations during worksite enforcement operations this fiscal year.
To help employers build a legal workforce, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a new initiative called the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers or IMAGE. IMAGE is designed to build cooperative relationships between the government and businesses, strengthen hiring practices, and reduce the unlawful employment of illegal aliens. The initiative also seeks to gain greater industry compliance and corporate due diligence through enhanced training and education of employers. ICE strongly encourages employers to review IMAGE program materials available at www.ICE.gov .
# ICE #
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.
This article appears in What Now, Treesitter?.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I left my lamp beside the golden door!”
~Emma Lazarus, 1883
I would gladly have taken any maid or nursery work job when I lived in San Diego, raising a baby on my own. I had to go on Welfare because all the entry-level work was overtaken by illegal aliens – that U.S. employers could deny costly benefits and health care. I finally left San Diego because my neighborhood turned into a “barrio” with mexican gangs and rampant crime, helicoptors, razor wire…and folks in Eureka are welcoming all this with open arms by inviting refugees from the third-world country to our south. You’ll see.
Sorry, but I find it hard to believe that “all the entry-level work was overtaken by illegal aliens.”
And specifically, what neighborhood was “turned into a ‘barrio’ with mexican gangs and rampant crime”? Did Mexicans suddenly show up in your neighborhood? They’ve only been in San Diego since the 1820s.
Really disgusted that you used the term “illegal aliens” to talk about undocumented folks. It’s dehumanizing. I hope things have changed since this article was printed. It’d be enough to make me boycott your paper, especially now when so many news outlets have changed this disgustingly racist practice.