Thread: 81 illegal aliens arrested at Poconos plastics plant

81 illegal immigrants arrested at Poconos plastics plant
Associated Press

Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:40 am

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Federal immigration authorities arrested 81 illegal immigrants Tuesday at a tube manufacturing plant in the Poconos.

All 81 workers arrested in the raid at Artube Iridium Industries Inc. will be deported, said Ernestine Fobbs, a spokeswoman with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The immigrants, who are from Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia and Ecuador, were taken to ICE detention centers for processing, she said.

Fobbs declined to say what led ICE agents to raid the plant. She did not immediately know where the immigrants are from.

The company makes plastic tubes for lotions and other consumer products, according to its Web site.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs ... S/70620028

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Info on the company from the Pocono Record:

" Iridium bought the former Web Dynamics building off exit 51 of Interstate 80 in 1999 and received a tax-free bond of almost $3.5 million approved by the Monroe County commissioners. The company employs 130 workers.

Iridium later got a $660,000 low-interest loan from the state to create 30 jobs. The loan helped pay to expand the company's building on its eight-acre property.

The company was started by Eli and Jack Sassouni, who also operated a textile business called Nippon Tex on Long Island, N.Y."

YES! YES! for PENNSYLVANIA

I could see maybe one, or a few slipping by, but how can you hire 81 illegals as an 'oops'?

Related thread:

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=69604

I hope before they deport these illegals that they conduct an investigation as to whether any felony charges such as identity theft (using someones SSI number illegally) should be brought.....stealing an american citizens SSI number is punishable by up to five years in prison....if they are guilty of committing a felony, they belong in an american prison....

Did illegals work for temp agency?
June 20, 2007


The man who helped Iridium Industries get public tax-free bond money and low-interest loans is "distressed" at news of 81 illegal workers arrested there Tuesday.

"We've never had an issue with this kind of thing," said Chuck Leonard of Pocono Mountains Industries, which is Monroe County's economic development agency.

"It's a distressing thing. I'm hoping it's a lapse on behalf of a temp agency they use," Leonard said in a phone interview this morning. "We're disappointed that it's happened in our community."

Leonard said many local business employ workers through temp agencies. He has not spoken to Iridium's owners since news of the raid.

"You have to allow the investigation to take its course," said Leonard.

Leonard says his agency refers anyone with reports of illegal workers to the state Department of Labor or U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services.

"We don't have the capability or the staff to be able to check those kinds of complaints," Leonard said.

Iridium, which has about 130 permanent full-time workers, is open for business today. Leonard hopes to retain those jobs.

"We hope the business can overcome the problems this might create for them and move on," he said.

Iridium, which makes plastic tubes for lotions and other products, is located on Forge Road in East Stroudsburg. The plant is visible from the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 just before the East Stroudsburg exit.

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.d ... S/70620004

that's the question - Is it a CATCH and RELEASE program or IS IT a MAKE IT HAPPEN...


81 down - 15 million + to go...

stealing an american citizens SSI number is punishable by up to five years in prison....

Ah, but only if the ID thief is an American or legal citizen. It appears illegals are exempt because they are FORCED to steal identities in order to work (as per the Ted "the swimmer" Kennedy, et al).

That assertion was made by a local pro-illegal columnist, and she was answered by someone saying, "If I steal your car, but only drive it to work, than that's ok?"

I as a manufacturing worker is happy with these developments. However Im worried if this will be used as a reason to move production to overseas. We need to bring up our children with the mindset that all work is good work. Todays generation just seem to want to put on a suit and go work in an office. I always to try to hire americans for our plant. But i cant deny the fact that many dont stay.

I could see maybe one, or a few slipping by, but how can you hire 81 illegals as an 'oops'?

The open industry secret is all plant managers consciously fill a good % of workforce with latinos (core labor) and hire americans (transient labor) for the rest. If you attend training programs this is openly acknowledged and discussed.