Savannah, GA. – ICE Special Agents in cooperation with federal, state and local law enforcement partners on September 4, as part of an active, ongoing criminal investigation, carried out a federal search command for a company. This operation expressly focused on serious allegations of illegal employment practices and other potential federal crimes. 475 people were arrested as a result of the first examination. The coordinated measures brought the expertise of the enforcement and removal, the Department of Labor Office of the General Inspector, the FBI, the DEA, the US Customs and Border Protection Office for field operations, the US border patrol, the office for alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives, IRS and Georgia State Patrol.
ICE emphasized the importance of lawful employment practices and welcomed companies who wanted to invest in the United States while they adhered to the law.
“We welcome all companies that want to invest in the United States, and if you have to contribute employees to construction or other projects, this is okay – but you have to do this in a legal way,” said the Special Agent, who is responsible for investigating home protection in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “This operation sends a clear news that those who take advantage of the system and undermine our workforce are held accountable.”
The people arrested during the operation illegally worked what violated the conditions of their visa and/or status. People with short-term or leisure visa are not entitled to work a Green Card holder from Mexico in the USA, after he was found that they were removed from the United States due to several criminal convictions. Green Card owners can be removed from the United States if it is found that the topic has qualified criminal convictions. The individual has convicts for the possession of narcotics, property, attempt to sell a stolen firearm and theft. These can be enough to make a green card holder removable. Since this is an ongoing examination, additional arrests and fees are possible.
“Today's company reflects our commitment to the protection of jobs for Georgians, the fair competition for companies that play according to the rules and protect the integrity of our economy,” added Schrank. “This is not primarily about immigration status – it is about accountability according to the law. Thanks to the strong partnerships between federal and state law enforcement authorities, we are responsible for those who use the system for personal profit.”
HSI encourages the public to protect their communities and report suspicious activities. Anyone who has information about illegal employment systems or related crimes is asked to call the HSI tip line under 1-866-347-2423 or to submit the online tip pile form. Your cooperation is of crucial importance to protect people in need of protection and to ensure the accountability obligation.
For more information about HSI's work, see X at @hsiatlanta.
Please visit the HSI Worksite Enforcement to obtain more information about HSI missions.
