43 illegal immigrants arrested at local farm

Updated: July 21, 2008 09:25 PM CDT



WAIPAHU (KHNL) - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 43 illegal immigrants at a Waipahu apartment complex Sunday morning during a federal search warrant.

ICE agents along with the U.S. Marshals Service, Sheriff's Department State of Hawaii and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, executed nine search warrants at the Oasis Apartments in Waipahu.

Wayne Willis, a special agent in charge of the ICE office of investigations in Honolulu says Sunday's enforcement action is "part of ICE's ongoing pursuit of employers who violate our nation's hiring laws."

All 43 illegal workers taken into custody were all men and citizens of Mexico.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii is determing whether to file criminal charges in cases where evidence suggests the immigrants used fraudulent information to obtain employment.


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