Florida man pleads guilty to employing illegal aliens in upstate New York

I.C.E. News Release

April 9, 2012
Syracuse, NY

Florida man pleads guilty to employing illegal aliens in upstate New York

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Florida business man pleaded guilty Friday to employing illegal aliens in Cayuga County, N.Y. This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Salvador Hernandez, 50, of Belle Glade, Fla., pleaded guilty April 6, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Syracuse to employing illegal aliens in Cayuga County in 2008 and 2009. He now faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

"This investigation is a terrific example of how law enforcement works together, utilizing our combined authorities and resources, to take down a criminal organization that went to great lengths to not only disguise the employment, but the harboring of illegal aliens, in order to make a buck," said Nick DiNicola, assistant special agent in charge of HSI Albany, N.Y. "Thanks to the diligent and extensive investigative work conducted by HSI special agents from our offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and West Palm Beach, along with our partners at the Border Patrol, this case will send a clear message that those who choose to utilize or harbor a workforce comprised of illegal aliens will be held accountable for their actions."

Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiring to hire at least 10 illegal aliens in 2008 and 2009 – knowing that they were in the United States unlawfully – in connection with agricultural work at a farm in King Ferry, N.Y. Hernandez was employed as crew foreman for Sunrise Labor, Inc., a farm labor company based in Belle Glade that provided laborers for the harvest of field crops.

HSI has a vital responsibility to enforce the law and engage in effective worksite enforcement to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce. HSI employs an effective, comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy that addresses both employers who knowingly hire illegal workers as well as the workers themselves.

HSI focuses its resources in the worksite enforcement program on the criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly hire illegal workers, in order to target the root cause of illegal immigration. Furthermore, HSI uses all available civil and administrative tools, including civil fines and debarment, to penalize and deter illegal employment. To learn more about worksite enforcement, click here.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard R. Southwick, Northern District of New York, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the U.S. government. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 8, 2012, in Syracuse.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

Florida man pleads guilty to employing illegal aliens in upstate New York

Florida man admits guilt in providing illegal aliens to work on Cayuga County farm

Published: Monday, April 09, 2012, 3:10 PM
Updated: Monday, April 09, 2012, 3:34 PM
Jim O'Hara / The Post-Standard

Syracuse, NY - A Florida businessman faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty Friday in U.S. District Court here to employing illegal aliens to work in Cayuga County.

Salvador Hernandez, 50, of Belle Glade, pleaded guilty to conspiring to hire at least 10 illegal aliens in 2008 and 2009 - knowing they were in the United States illegally - to work at a farm in King Ferry.

Federal authorities said Hernandez was a crew foreman for Sunrise Labor Inc., a farm labor company based in Belle Glade that provides laborers for the harvest of field crops.

Federal officials said the prosecution resulted from the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Syracuse, Buffalo and West Palm Beach along with the Border Patrol.

Nick DiNicola, assistant special agent in charge of the HSI Albany office said the investigation took down "a criminal organization that went to great lengths to not only disguise the employment, but the harboring of illegal aliens, in order to make a buck."

HSI addresses both employers who knowingly hire illegal workers as well as the workers themselves.

Assistant U.S Attorney Richard R. Southwick is handling the case against Hernandez, Hernandez, who also faces a $250,000 fine, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court here Aug. 8.

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Florida man admits guilt in providing illegal aliens to work on Cayuga County farm | syracuse.com