Thread: ICE : Oxnard employers hired illegal immigrants

ICE suspects Oxnard employers of hiring illegal immigrants
By Tom Kisken
Ventura County Star
Posted September 23, 2010 at 8:43 p.m.
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The father-and-son leaders of an Oxnard metal-casting company were detained by federal immigration agents Thursday on suspicion of knowingly hiring illegal immigrants, the first such Ventura County arrest in at least seven years.

Wayne Haddox, owner of Masters in Metal, and Dennis Haddox, his son and vice president of the company, were taken into custody at the business in the culmination of an investigation that began three years ago. It was the first arrest of an employer in Ventura County since the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office was formed in 2003, according to an ICE spokeswoman.

A 2007 audit alleged the company employed 16 illegal immigrants, ICE agents said. The company told agents the employees were terminated, but the two men are accused of keeping two of the workers on the payroll. Both Haddoxes are Oxnard residents.

Agents said Wayne Haddox allegedly directed the two undocumented workers, who are married, to get Social Security cards that would allow them to continue working. Agents alleged the workers used cards belonging to two friends.

George Buehler, lawyer for Wayne Haddox, said his client and Dennis Haddox both entered not-guilty pleas and were released on bond Thursday afternoon.

Jeannette Garcia, office manager of Masters in Metal, said she didn’t know the entire story but defended her employers.

“They’re great people,â€

Jeannette Garcia, office manager of Masters in Metal, said she didn’t know the entire story but defended her employers.
“They’re great people,â€