Undocumented Worker Wins $100K From Butler Co.

Last Update: 4/20 10:14 pm

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio -- An undocumented worker has won a six-figure settlement against Butler County after a sheriff’s office raid at his work site.

Luis Rodriguez was hanging drywall at a construction site on Port Union Road in Hamilton when deputies rounded him up with more than 20 Hispanic workers in January 2007. They arrested Rodriguez based on documents he had but lost the criminal case against him.

While in custody, Rodriguez was deported to Mexico, along with his wife and two children. The family had lived in Southern Ohio for 11 years, working and attending a local church that was very supportive of the family. They now live in poverty in Mexico, according to attorney Al Gerhardstein. He sued Sheriff Richard Jones on behalf of Rodriguez. Sheriff Jones has been outspoken about his opposition to undocumented workers.

Gerhardstein claimed the sheriff’s office violated the Fourth Amendment when deputies “seizedâ€