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In the News

Law Firm News

"Paputchi's 18-year immigration ordeal is over"
Pocono Record, June 24, 2008
More

"Agency to reopen Paputchi immigration case"
Pocono Record, March 12, 2008
More

"Rukie is free – for now"
Pocono Record, March 6, 2008
More

"Rukie Paputchi's lawyer cites flaws in government's deportation case"
Pocono Record, January 27, 2008
More

"Paputchi Deportation Arrest"
WYOU News, January 11, 2008
More

Recent Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Since its establishment in 2003, ICE has dramatically enhanced its efforts to combat the unlawful employment of illegal aliens in this country. The Agency's comprehensive strategy for worksite enforcement is aimed at promoting national security and public safety, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring fair labor standards.

From October 2007 through July 2008, ICE made more than 1,000 criminal arrests in connection with worksite enforcement investigations. Of those, more than 100 involve owners, managers, supervisors or human resources employees who face charges ranging from harboring to knowingly hiring illegal aliens.

In addition to the criminal arrests, ICE made more than 3,500 administrative arrests for immigration violations during worksite enforcement raids. Last year, ICE made more than 4,900 arrests in worksite enforcement cases, including more than 900 involving criminal violations.

This past year's actions represent a 45-fold increase in criminal worksite arrests compared to fiscal year 2001. Furthermore, ICE obtained more than $31 million in criminal fines, restitutions and civil judgments as a result of worksite related enforcement actions.

ICE Raid and Conviction Results in Sharing Money with Police
Naugatuck, CT (October 10, 2008)–An ICE Raid in April 2007 on 10 Dunkin Donuts franchises resulted In a $1 million judgment against Jose and Diana Calhelha, both of Guilford, CT, for harboring and employing illegal aliens at their franchises. ICE lauded the assistance of the Naugatuck Police Department in the arrest and conviction and shared back $200,000 of the judgment with the police for helping to put an end to the exploitation of workers.

ICE Agents Arrest 331 in South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina (October 7, 2008)–ICE special agents arrested about 300 illegal aliens while executing a federal criminal search warrant at the Columbia Farms poultry processing plant in Greenville. It was part of an ongoing, 10-month criminal investigation into the company's employment practices. The raid resulted in criminal charges against 11 supervisors and one human resources manager.

ICE Agents Arrest 21 Illegal Aliens at Maui Construction Site
Lahaina, Hawaii (September 23, 2008)–ICE agents arrested 21 illegal alien workers at the Honua Kai construction project in Lahaina. This was the second time in a month that ICE agents have raided the site. On August 20, agents arrested 23 aliens from three different companies, including 13 working for Global Stone Inc.

ICE Arrests 21 Illegal Aliens at Three Asian Restaurants
Sacramento, California (September 18, 2008)–Restaurants in three cities, as well as homes linked to the business owners, were the targets of ICE special agents executing federal search warrants. Restaurants were the King's Buffet in Vacaville, the Empire Buffet in Vallejo, and a second outlet of Empire Buffet in San Pablo. ICE agents arrested 21 illegal alien workers at the search locations.

ICE Arrests Two Managers and 51 Workers at Bakery
Palm Springs, California (September 10, 2008)–While executing a federal search warrant at the Palm Springs Baking Company in Palm Springs, ICE agents charged two company supervisors with federal criminal complaints and arrested 51 illegal alien workers on administrative immigration violations. According to local police, the baking company allegedly guaranteed employment to illegal aliens in exchange for a payment of about $300 for each worker.

ICE Arrests Two Human Resources Employees at Agriprocessors Plant
Postville, Iowa (September 9, 2008)–Two alleged human resources employees were arrested by ICE agents at the Agriprocessors, Inc., plant in Postville and charged with aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft, and conspiring to harbor illegal aliens. If convicted of all charges, one employee faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison and a possible maximum sentence of 22 years in prison, a $750,000 fine, and seven years of supervised release following any prison term.

Houston-Area Donut Company Agrees to Pay $1.334 Million
Houston, Texas (September 5, 2008)–Shipley Do-Nut Flour and Supply Company pleaded guilty to conspiring to harbor illegal aliens and agreed to pay $1.334 million in lieu of forfeiting various company-owned residences where illegal alien employees were housed. Shipley Do-Nut also faces a maximum fine of $500,000 and up to five years' probation at sentencing on December 19, 2008.

ICE and DOJ Arrest 595 at Mississippi Transformer Plant
Laurel, Mississippi (August 25, 2008)–ICE special agents executed a federal criminal search warrant at Howard Industries, Inc., an electric transformer manufacturer, for evidence relating to aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers, as well as a civil search warrant for individuals illegally in the U.S. Of the 595 arrested, 106 were eligible for an alternative to detention based on humanitarian issues. All of those arrested were processed for removal from the U.S. Approximately 475 were transported to an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana, where they will await the outcome of their case. Eight individuals facing criminal charges are in the custody of the U.S. Marshall's Service.

Owners of Elder Care Employment Agency Indicted
Santa Ana, California (August 20, 2008)–A Filipino man and his former wife were indicted by a federal grand jury following an investigation by ICE agents into allegations they knowingly hired illegal aliens, primarily from the Philippines. Wilfredo Ngo and his ex-wife, Teresa Ngo, who own A-Plus Senior Planning Services, an agency that provides personnel to elder care facilities throughout Orange County, California, were charged with inducing aliens to live in the U.S. and knowingly hiring illegal aliens. According to court documents, the Ngos counseled their illegal workers to enter into fraudulent marriages with U.S. Citizens so they could remain in the U.S. legally.

Other ICE Arrests

Washington, D.C. (August 13, 2008)–ICE arrested 42 illegal aliens working at Dulles International Airport.

Asheville, North Carolina (August 12, 2008)–ICE arrests 57 illegal aliens employed by Mills Manufacturing Corporation, a U.S. Department of Defense contractor.

Springfield, Missouri (August 7, 2008)–A husband and wife pleaded guilty in federal court to hiring and harboring illegal aliens who did roofing work for them. They employed the illegal aliens on roofing jobs they performed for Taylor Made Roofing in Bolivar, Missouri.

Little Rock, Arkansas (July 28, 2008)–ICE agents executed 13 Federal Arrest Warrants connected to a Worksite Enforcement Investigation at Waco Manufacturing in North Little Rock.

Cleveland, Ohio (July 23, 2008)–ICE agents arrested 58 employees at 8 Casa Fiesta restaurants across northern Ohio.