I.C.E. News Release

January 29, 2009

Alabaster construction company owner charged with employing illegal aliens

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A 38-year-old woman was indicted here yesterday on charges for harboring and employing illegal aliens following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Alabaster Police Department investigation.

Beverly Linan, who owned and operated Rodriguez Construction Company with offices in Alabaster, Alabama, was charged in a three-count indictment. Rodriguez Construction performed masonry work throughout the Jefferson and Shelby County areas.

Count one charged Linan with harboring illegal aliens and counts two and three charged him with knowingly employing illegal aliens and a forfeiture to recover profits made from employing illegal aliens respectively. If convicted of all counts, Linan faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of $250,000.

"The knowing employment of illegal aliens not only takes jobs from hardworking Americans, it is against the law. All of the illegal aliens working for Rodriguez Construction were arrested by ICE and are in the process of being deported to their home countries," stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

"Employment is a primary driving force behind illegal immigration," said Michael Holt, special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in New Orleans. "No employer, regardless of industry, size, type or location is immune from complying with the nation's laws. ICE and our law enforcement partners will continue to bring all of our authorities to bear in this fight using criminal charges, asset seizures, administrative arrests and deportations."

Assistant United States Attorney Michael W. Whisonant is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

-- 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: Friday, January 30, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0901/090129birmingham.htm