May 08, 2008

ICE arrests 33 illegal aliens on grounds of new U.S. Federal Courthouse

RICHMOND, Va. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents yesterday arrested 33 foreign national who were working illegally at a construction site located in downtown Richmond.

The illegal workers were employed by a contractor building the new U.S. Federal Courthouse. ICE initiated this investigation after receiving information that illegal aliens might be employed at the site. Subsequent investigation revealed that some of the workers may have secured their employment by using false identification documents. Two of those arrested were charged criminally, one with possession of a fraudulent document, one with reentry after deportation. The individuals are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. All have been placed in removal proceedings.

All of the individuals taken into ICE custody, including 29 males and 4 females are nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.

During fiscal year 2007, ICE arrested 863 individuals on criminal charges in worksite investigations, and administratively apprehended another 4,077 illegal workers on immigration violations.

Since ICE was created in March 2003, the agency has dramatically enhanced its efforts to combat illegal aliens unlawfully working in the United States. ICE's comprehensive strategy for effective worksite enforcement is aimed at promoting national security, protecting critical infrastructure, including airports and ensuring fair labor standards.

To help employers ensure that they are building a legal workforce through voluntary partnerships with the government, 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 government and businesses, to strengthen hiring practices, and to reduce unlawfully employing illegal aliens. The initiative also seeks to accomplish greater industry compliance and corporate due diligence through enhance federal 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 (ICE) 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.

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