Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted another massive raid cracking down on illegal workers and those who employ them. This is a big change of pace considering that the business owners are usually never arrested until a full investigation can be conducted.
According to The Daily Caller:
Federal agents conducted a multi-state worksite raid at several Midwestern agricultural businesses on Wednesday, arresting more than 100 people including owners and supervisors who allegedly conspired to employ illegal aliens at the expense of American workers.
Homeland Security Investigations — the investigative arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement — led the operation against at least 11 companies in Nebraska and Minnesota, The Grand Island Independent reported.
Along with more than 130 suspected illegal workers, agents arrested 14 business owners and managers for allegedly using bogus Social Security numbers to build a workforce of underpaid, exploitable illegal immigrants. Three other people involved in the scheme were also indicted but not taken into custody during the operation.
The operation was one of the largest worksite raids in HSI’s 15-year history, according to Tracy Cormier, the special agent in charge of the agency’s St. Paul field office, which covers Minnesota and Nebraska.
This is one of if not the biggest busts or criminals from ICE. Holding business owners and managers accountable is a new approach for law enforcement. It still remains to be seen whether this will serve as a deterrent or not.