2 guilty of hiring undocumented workers in Wash.

2 guilty of hiring undocumented workers in Wash.

By MANUEL VALDES, The Associated Press
7:52 p.m. August 18, 2009

SEATTLE — Two members of a family that owns an engine company in Washington state pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of knowingly hiring undocumented workers.

The case stems from an immigration raid in February on Yamato Engine Specialists of Bellingham – the first such action after President Barack Obama took office calling for stepped up efforts to prosecute the companies that hire undocumented workers.

Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, and her brother Shafique Dhanani, 46, entered guilty pleas in U.S. District Court, admitting they allowed undocumented workers to file false employment forms with the government. Under the plea agreement, the two most likely face probation.

Federal prosecutors have also charged the company with conspiring to encourage undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States between 2006 and 2009. A court hearing on the charge was delayed. The company faces a maximum fine of $500,000.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a statement.

The two sat solemnly through the court proceedings. Their family – which left Uganda decades ago, and moved to Bellingham about 20 years ago and opened a manufacturing plant.

"We very much regret violating the law and dishonoring the fine reputation Yamato Engines and our family enjoys (in) the Whatcom County community," the defendants said in a statement.

The family said that going forward they will make sure all employees at Yamato will follow all legal requirements.

According to court documents, Shafique Dhanani admitted knowingly accepting false documents from a worker. His sister pleaded guilty to a similar situation.

The February raid, which led to the arrests of 28 workers, shook immigrant advocates and prompted Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to order a review of the actions leading up to it. On Tuesday, Homeland Security spokesman Matt Chandler said the results of the review will not be made public.

Following the raid, nearly all of those arrested were given work permits which will continue in effect as long as the government continues its investigation of Yamato.

Tuesday's ruling didn't please activists on either side of the immigration issue.

OneAmerica, a Seattle-based immigrant advocate organization, said in a statement that going after employers does not address immigration reform.

Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which seesk stricter rules, said that sentencing employers that break immigration laws to probation won't provide much deterrence.
U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan said the guilty pleas represent the first successful prosecution in Western Washington of an employer knowingly hiring undocumented workers.

"This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies," Sullivan said.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=151585

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"This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies," Sullivan said.

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YES!!! I want to see more of this done!!!! :D

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Originally Posted by April

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"This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies," Sullivan said.

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YES!!! I want to see more of this done!!!! :D

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Your in luck. There are a bunch of these cases in the pipeline.

now since this isnt going to trial or anything.
my question now is what happens to the illegals that were given temporary worker cards to work while the government was building the case

I.C.E. News Release

August 18, 2009

Directors of Washington company plead guilty to felony immigration violations

Pair admits they allowed submission of false immigration forms for employees

SEATTLE - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pleaded guilty today in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Shafique Amirali Dhanani, 46, and his sister, Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, each pleaded guilty to a federal felony, admitting that they knew workers at their family-owned company submitted false names and Social Security numbers on federal I-9 forms used to verify workers' status in the United States. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both defendants must be sentenced to a probationary sentence or they can withdraw from it.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton. "ICE will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce."

"This is Western Washington's first successful prosecution of an employer for knowingly hiring undocumented workers," said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. "This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies."

According to his plea agreement, Dhanani serves as the production manager at Yamato and has been a director of the company since the 1990s. He admits that he knew of an employee, Jorge Collado-Sanchez, who was employed by Yamato in 2003, but left the company on Jan. 1, 2006, following an ICE audit of the company's I-9 forms in late 2005.

Furthermore, Dhanani admits he knew Collado-Sanchez returned to his job at Yamato in June 2006, completing the I-9 paperwork with documents that did not belong to him. Dhanani admits he knew an administrative employee of Yamato accepted the false documents and used them to satisfy the requirement that the company had checked the potential employee's legal status to work in the United States. Collado-Sanchez remained employed at Yamato until the ICE workplace enforcement action on Feb. 24, 2009.

In her plea agreement, Makalai states that she has been a director of Yamato since 2002 and is responsible for supervising the manager of the human resources department. She also admits that in November 2002, Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar completed an I-9 form in the name of Jose L. Garcia-Pallares using a resident alien green card that appeared genuine.

Five years later, Burgos-Quintanar completed a second I-9 as Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar, claiming he was a citizen of the United States and indicating that he was starting work for Yamato in March 2007. Makalai admits that she knew the human resources department engaged in a practice of using false information to complete the I-9 forms and took no steps to prevent or alter this practice.

According to the plea agreement, the corporation, Yamato Engine Specialists 1990, Ltd., is expected to pay a significant fine in connection with the case. Yamato has not yet entered a plea and is charged by information with encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case.

-- 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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818seattle.htm

I.C.E. News Release

August 18, 2009

Directors of Washington company plead guilty to felony immigration violations

Pair admits they allowed submission of false immigration forms for employees

SEATTLE - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pleaded guilty today in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Shafique Amirali Dhanani, 46, and his sister, Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, each pleaded guilty to a federal felony, admitting that they knew workers at their family-owned company submitted false names and Social Security numbers on federal I-9 forms used to verify workers' status in the United States. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both defendants must be sentenced to a probationary sentence or they can withdraw from it.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton. "ICE will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce."

"This is Western Washington's first successful prosecution of an employer for knowingly hiring undocumented workers," said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. "This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies."

According to his plea agreement, Dhanani serves as the production manager at Yamato and has been a director of the company since the 1990s. He admits that he knew of an employee, Jorge Collado-Sanchez, who was employed by Yamato in 2003, but left the company on Jan. 1, 2006, following an ICE audit of the company's I-9 forms in late 2005.

Furthermore, Dhanani admits he knew Collado-Sanchez returned to his job at Yamato in June 2006, completing the I-9 paperwork with documents that did not belong to him. Dhanani admits he knew an administrative employee of Yamato accepted the false documents and used them to satisfy the requirement that the company had checked the potential employee's legal status to work in the United States. Collado-Sanchez remained employed at Yamato until the ICE workplace enforcement action on Feb. 24, 2009.

In her plea agreement, Makalai states that she has been a director of Yamato since 2002 and is responsible for supervising the manager of the human resources department. She also admits that in November 2002, Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar completed an I-9 form in the name of Jose L. Garcia-Pallares using a resident alien green card that appeared genuine.

Five years later, Burgos-Quintanar completed a second I-9 as Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar, claiming he was a citizen of the United States and indicating that he was starting work for Yamato in March 2007. Makalai admits that she knew the human resources department engaged in a practice of using false information to complete the I-9 forms and took no steps to prevent or alter this practice.

According to the plea agreement, the corporation, Yamato Engine Specialists 1990, Ltd., is expected to pay a significant fine in connection with the case. Yamato has not yet entered a plea and is charged by information with encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case.

-- 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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818seattle.htm

I.C.E. News Release

August 18, 2009

Directors of Washington company plead guilty to felony immigration violations

Pair admits they allowed submission of false immigration forms for employees

SEATTLE - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pleaded guilty today in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Shafique Amirali Dhanani, 46, and his sister, Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, each pleaded guilty to a federal felony, admitting that they knew workers at their family-owned company submitted false names and Social Security numbers on federal I-9 forms used to verify workers' status in the United States. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both defendants must be sentenced to a probationary sentence or they can withdraw from it.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton. "ICE will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce."

"This is Western Washington's first successful prosecution of an employer for knowingly hiring undocumented workers," said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. "This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies."

According to his plea agreement, Dhanani serves as the production manager at Yamato and has been a director of the company since the 1990s. He admits that he knew of an employee, Jorge Collado-Sanchez, who was employed by Yamato in 2003, but left the company on Jan. 1, 2006, following an ICE audit of the company's I-9 forms in late 2005.

Furthermore, Dhanani admits he knew Collado-Sanchez returned to his job at Yamato in June 2006, completing the I-9 paperwork with documents that did not belong to him. Dhanani admits he knew an administrative employee of Yamato accepted the false documents and used them to satisfy the requirement that the company had checked the potential employee's legal status to work in the United States. Collado-Sanchez remained employed at Yamato until the ICE workplace enforcement action on Feb. 24, 2009.

In her plea agreement, Makalai states that she has been a director of Yamato since 2002 and is responsible for supervising the manager of the human resources department. She also admits that in November 2002, Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar completed an I-9 form in the name of Jose L. Garcia-Pallares using a resident alien green card that appeared genuine.

Five years later, Burgos-Quintanar completed a second I-9 as Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar, claiming he was a citizen of the United States and indicating that he was starting work for Yamato in March 2007. Makalai admits that she knew the human resources department engaged in a practice of using false information to complete the I-9 forms and took no steps to prevent or alter this practice.

According to the plea agreement, the corporation, Yamato Engine Specialists 1990, Ltd., is expected to pay a significant fine in connection with the case. Yamato has not yet entered a plea and is charged by information with encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case.

-- 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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818seattle.htm

I.C.E. News Release

August 18, 2009

Directors of Washington company plead guilty to felony immigration violations

Pair admits they allowed submission of false immigration forms for employees

SEATTLE - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pleaded guilty today in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Shafique Amirali Dhanani, 46, and his sister, Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, each pleaded guilty to a federal felony, admitting that they knew workers at their family-owned company submitted false names and Social Security numbers on federal I-9 forms used to verify workers' status in the United States. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both defendants must be sentenced to a probationary sentence or they can withdraw from it.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton. "ICE will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce."

"This is Western Washington's first successful prosecution of an employer for knowingly hiring undocumented workers," said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. "This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies."

According to his plea agreement, Dhanani serves as the production manager at Yamato and has been a director of the company since the 1990s. He admits that he knew of an employee, Jorge Collado-Sanchez, who was employed by Yamato in 2003, but left the company on Jan. 1, 2006, following an ICE audit of the company's I-9 forms in late 2005.

Furthermore, Dhanani admits he knew Collado-Sanchez returned to his job at Yamato in June 2006, completing the I-9 paperwork with documents that did not belong to him. Dhanani admits he knew an administrative employee of Yamato accepted the false documents and used them to satisfy the requirement that the company had checked the potential employee's legal status to work in the United States. Collado-Sanchez remained employed at Yamato until the ICE workplace enforcement action on Feb. 24, 2009.

In her plea agreement, Makalai states that she has been a director of Yamato since 2002 and is responsible for supervising the manager of the human resources department. She also admits that in November 2002, Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar completed an I-9 form in the name of Jose L. Garcia-Pallares using a resident alien green card that appeared genuine.

Five years later, Burgos-Quintanar completed a second I-9 as Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar, claiming he was a citizen of the United States and indicating that he was starting work for Yamato in March 2007. Makalai admits that she knew the human resources department engaged in a practice of using false information to complete the I-9 forms and took no steps to prevent or alter this practice.

According to the plea agreement, the corporation, Yamato Engine Specialists 1990, Ltd., is expected to pay a significant fine in connection with the case. Yamato has not yet entered a plea and is charged by information with encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case.

-- 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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818seattle.htm

I.C.E. News Release

August 18, 2009

Directors of Washington company plead guilty to felony immigration violations

Pair admits they allowed submission of false immigration forms for employees

SEATTLE - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pleaded guilty today in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Shafique Amirali Dhanani, 46, and his sister, Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, each pleaded guilty to a federal felony, admitting that they knew workers at their family-owned company submitted false names and Social Security numbers on federal I-9 forms used to verify workers' status in the United States. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both defendants must be sentenced to a probationary sentence or they can withdraw from it.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton. "ICE will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce."

"This is Western Washington's first successful prosecution of an employer for knowingly hiring undocumented workers," said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. "This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies."

According to his plea agreement, Dhanani serves as the production manager at Yamato and has been a director of the company since the 1990s. He admits that he knew of an employee, Jorge Collado-Sanchez, who was employed by Yamato in 2003, but left the company on Jan. 1, 2006, following an ICE audit of the company's I-9 forms in late 2005.

Furthermore, Dhanani admits he knew Collado-Sanchez returned to his job at Yamato in June 2006, completing the I-9 paperwork with documents that did not belong to him. Dhanani admits he knew an administrative employee of Yamato accepted the false documents and used them to satisfy the requirement that the company had checked the potential employee's legal status to work in the United States. Collado-Sanchez remained employed at Yamato until the ICE workplace enforcement action on Feb. 24, 2009.

In her plea agreement, Makalai states that she has been a director of Yamato since 2002 and is responsible for supervising the manager of the human resources department. She also admits that in November 2002, Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar completed an I-9 form in the name of Jose L. Garcia-Pallares using a resident alien green card that appeared genuine.

Five years later, Burgos-Quintanar completed a second I-9 as Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar, claiming he was a citizen of the United States and indicating that he was starting work for Yamato in March 2007. Makalai admits that she knew the human resources department engaged in a practice of using false information to complete the I-9 forms and took no steps to prevent or alter this practice.

According to the plea agreement, the corporation, Yamato Engine Specialists 1990, Ltd., is expected to pay a significant fine in connection with the case. Yamato has not yet entered a plea and is charged by information with encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case.

-- 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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818seattle.htm

I.C.E. News Release

August 18, 2009

Directors of Washington company plead guilty to felony immigration violations

Pair admits they allowed submission of false immigration forms for employees

SEATTLE - Two corporate directors of Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham, Wash., pleaded guilty today in federal court to aiding and abetting the use of a false statement on immigration employment forms, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Shafique Amirali Dhanani, 46, and his sister, Shirin Dhanani Makalai, 52, each pleaded guilty to a federal felony, admitting that they knew workers at their family-owned company submitted false names and Social Security numbers on federal I-9 forms used to verify workers' status in the United States. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both defendants must be sentenced to a probationary sentence or they can withdraw from it.

"Today's guilty pleas demonstrate the commitment of ICE special agents to investigating leads, uncovering the facts, and holding criminal employers accountable," said ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton. "ICE will continue to investigate and find employers who flout our laws and hire illegal labor, in order to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce."

"This is Western Washington's first successful prosecution of an employer for knowingly hiring undocumented workers," said U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan. "This case should put employers on notice that if they knowingly employ those who lack legal status, they face prosecution for federal felonies."

According to his plea agreement, Dhanani serves as the production manager at Yamato and has been a director of the company since the 1990s. He admits that he knew of an employee, Jorge Collado-Sanchez, who was employed by Yamato in 2003, but left the company on Jan. 1, 2006, following an ICE audit of the company's I-9 forms in late 2005.

Furthermore, Dhanani admits he knew Collado-Sanchez returned to his job at Yamato in June 2006, completing the I-9 paperwork with documents that did not belong to him. Dhanani admits he knew an administrative employee of Yamato accepted the false documents and used them to satisfy the requirement that the company had checked the potential employee's legal status to work in the United States. Collado-Sanchez remained employed at Yamato until the ICE workplace enforcement action on Feb. 24, 2009.

In her plea agreement, Makalai states that she has been a director of Yamato since 2002 and is responsible for supervising the manager of the human resources department. She also admits that in November 2002, Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar completed an I-9 form in the name of Jose L. Garcia-Pallares using a resident alien green card that appeared genuine.

Five years later, Burgos-Quintanar completed a second I-9 as Ricardo Burgos-Quintanar, claiming he was a citizen of the United States and indicating that he was starting work for Yamato in March 2007. Makalai admits that she knew the human resources department engaged in a practice of using false information to complete the I-9 forms and took no steps to prevent or alter this practice.

According to the plea agreement, the corporation, Yamato Engine Specialists 1990, Ltd., is expected to pay a significant fine in connection with the case. Yamato has not yet entered a plea and is charged by information with encouraging and inducing illegal aliens to reside in the United States.

In all, 28 illegal aliens were found to be working unlawfully at Yamato. All have been put in removal proceedings, but allowed to remain in the United States as potential witnesses pending the conclusion of the case.

-- 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.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090818seattle.htm