Thread: Virginia company at center of illegal immigration investigat

Virginia company at center of illegal immigration investigation
Posted: Feb 18, 2008 10:52 PM EST
Updated: Feb 18, 2008 11:49 PM EST

HAMPTON, VA (WAVY.com) -- Illegal immigration is a hot button issue across the nation, and it has one local company under the microscope of federal immigration agents.

The agents have zeroed in on Hymark Cylinders in Hampton for allegedly hiring illegal immigrants for cheap labor.

ICE agents have already arrested six employees who, they say, are in this country illegally.
They say Hymark is knowingly hiring illegal immigrants to work in its factory, and using dogs to scare them into working harder and faster.

WAVY.com found details about the secret surveillance ICE agents have been doing on the company, which manufactures oxygen tanks, for the last two years.

Court documents, obtained by WAVY.com show agents believe several crimes have been committed at Hymark including: employment of illegal immigrants, aggravated ID theft, passport and visa fraud and use of false social security numbers.

A man named Sergio Cosio, who is of Mexican descent, founded Hymark, teaming up with local businessman Wayne Franklin.

Court records show one informant told agents Cosio would "joke about bringing in a bus full of 'his guys' from Mexico who would work for cheap."

ICE agents say they have two years worth of evidence showing Hymark managers not only hired illegal immigrants, but also put them to work immediately and encouraged them to get bogus papers as soon as possible.

Court records also say "managers patrol the factory with dogs to intimidate workers into working harder and faster."

"They're very scared. They're very afraid. They just want to work and be left alone," said Alicia Fernandez-Bobulinski, an Hispanic rights advocate.

She says while it may be wrong to come to the U.S. illegally, a second wrong by the companies that hire them for cheap labor doesn't make a right.

"The company themselves should be accountable," said Fernandez-Bobulinski.

Right now agents have arrested six people with Hymark, all of them are employees, the undocumented workers, none of the managers or owners.

"It's not fair, not at all," said Fernandez-Bobulinski.

Legislators in Richmond say the issue of illegal immigration will be a top priority this year.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell recently said, "If they are illegal and have been accused of a crime, this legislation will request those individuals be held on no bond status until they're tried."

In Hampton, at Hymark Cylinders, the investigation continues. Will ICE eventually charge the managers and owners?

Only time will tell.
http://www.wavy.com/global/story.asp?s=7890461

Hy-mark cylinders,Hampton virginia 305 east street -800-704-3030 -local 757-245-7300-If you live in the area ,drop in and get application or call about employment and ask if they use E-verify -please be polite -