ThyssenKrupp workers detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Last Update: 6:56 pm

(WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ala.) April 16 - Border patrol agents have detained around twenty illegal immigrants who worked at the new ThyssenKrupp construction site. A border patrol spokesman says most of those detained either voluntary left the country or were held for hearings. The spokesperson said they were detained over the course of several months. Some say the problems around the ThyssenKrupp site don't end there. As NBC 15's Andrea Ramey reports, the sheriff of Washington County says he needs help.

The massive ThyssenKrupp construction site promised to bring prosperity to surrounding areas. One mile north of the site is Washington County. The sheriff there says he's had nothing but problems.

"I've seen nothing positive come out of the TK mill for Washington County," said Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer.

Stringer says with thousands of new construction workers, a massive increase in crime has followed. Stringer says two years ago more than 600 people were put behind bars in the county and last year, that number doubled to more than 1,200. The jail is so crowded inmates often have to sleep on the floor. Stringer says his deputies are also pulling over more illegal immigrants who work on the site.

"That is probably the biggest problem of all," said Stringer.

And part of the problem, Stringer says, is that he has limited authority.

"You cannot bring one of them into jail and keep them in jail for not having a driver's license or no insurance. So we have to write them a citation and hope they'll pay the ticket and appear in court," said Stringer.

But, he says, that never happens. Stringer says he's even tried to get immigration officials involved.

"It's almost like we're on our own. You're going to have to handle it locally is basically the word we've received," said Stringer.

Stringer says he doesn't have the resources to tackle growing crime in the county.

"It has been nothing but a burden," said Stringer.

In a statement emailed yesterday ThyssenKrupp told us, "We require that our contractors use skilled, safe and legally documented employees. All of our agreements with contractors include a requirement regarding compliance with immigration laws."

A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement says they have visited the ThyssenKrupp site and have not found any violations. The spokesperson also said there is not an on-going investigation into the site.
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