Busting Illegal Aliens in Vermont


South Burlington, Vermont -- October 18, 2007

More than a dozen illegal immigrant workers have been arrested in Vermont over the past two months. Channel 3 has learned of two incidents that may indicate how the demand for labor can lead to the hiring of illegals.

The Border Patrol says a group of eight illegals was rounded up in the Hannaford supermarket parking lot two days ago, on Oct. 16, right next to the large Lowe's home improvement store construction site. A first group of six was taken into custody Sept. 19 at a motel not far away on Shelburne road.

Virtually all of the workers at the Lowe's project are here legally. Although we have not been able to talk to all of the contractors, a major one on this project, S.D. Ireland, categorically says it does not hire illegal workers.

In fact, illegal aliens have not been a big issue with local contractors -- according to their trade group, the Associated General Contractors of Vermont. But Thom Serrani says in at least two instances, Illegals have turned up on larger Vermont projects. "I have heard over the years incidents when out of state contractors have come in to do these big box projects," Serrani told Channel 3. "Either they bring along some of the illegal aliens that are working for them, or the illegal aliens will follow the companies that are coming in to do this work."

The Border Patrol says none of the fourteen illegals was picked up on the Lowe's construction site, although eight were found in the adjacent parking lot. A witness who wanted to remain anonymous told Channel 3 that he spotted the same group running from the construction site just before their arrest. "I watched the steel workers slide down the columns and take off running -- left their tools behind," the source who did not want to be identified said.

The Border Patrol says all but one of the two groups of illegals were Mexicans. One was from El Salvador. They had cars registered in southern states. All are subject to being deported.

Serrani says although illegal workers are not a big problem in Vermont, a troubling trend could attract more into the state. Vermont's workforce in construction is both shrinking and aging.

"If you look at the average age of a construction worker, it's 54 years old," he said. "So that's moved up from 47 when I first came here. So the work force is aging, and if we don't have more young people coming in to it, then the issue of who you get to do the work does become critical."

The Border Patrol declined to give us an on-camera interview. As we mentioned and want to emphasize again here, no one has accused local contractors of deliberately hiring illegal aliens.

Andy Potter -- WCAX News

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=7233478