Thread: ICE nabs Oakland workers

ICE nabs Oakland workers
Audit of personnel records shows more than 70 workers submitted counterfeit documents
By Josh Richman and Michele R. Marcucci, STAFF WRITERS
Article Last Updated: 04/21/2007 02:59:33 AM PDT

Federal agents arrested 13 people Friday morning who had immigrated illegally from Mexico and were working for an Oakland plastic-bag manufacturer whose customers included the U.S. government.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Jennifer Holman said her agency is seeking 34 more people.

ICE's audit of Eagle Bag Corp.'s personnel records found 47 of the company's more than 70 workers had submitted counterfeit immigration documents with bogus alien registration numbers to get their jobs; also, 33 of them — including seven of the 13 arrested — had used stolen Social Security numbers.

Agents still are investigating whether any will face federal prosecution for aggravated identity theft, which is punishable by a mandatory minimum of two years in federal prison.

Eagle Bag tried to comply with hiring laws and isn't facing any charges, ICE reported.

Eagle Bag's Web site says it was founded in 1997 and "is the leader in the manufacturing production of Polypropylene (P.P.) Woven Fabric and Bags." Its Independent Road facility spans more than 132,000 square feet, has more than 80 workers and a production capacity of more than 5 million bags each month.

Some of the company's heavy-duty bags are used in agribusiness for packaging grains, seeds and nuts.

Among Eagle Bag's clients are the federal government, which buys bags for agricultural trade and foreign aid programs as well as for military sandbags. Federal contract
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data crunched by the nonprofit OMB Watch indicates Eagle Bag had $53.1million in federal contracts from fiscal year 2000 through the first quarter of fiscal year 2006.

Holman said she wasn't sure "how we gained the intel on this particular company," but it's possible Eagle Bag was targeted for investigation because of its "critical infrastructure" as a military supplier.

A woman answering Eagle Bag's phone Friday afternoon said corporate officers, including President Robert Wang and Vice President of Operations Frank Wang had left for the day and couldn't be reached for comment. The company's Web site says Frank Wang immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1986, and his brother Robert in 1994.

Those arrested Friday — 12 at the company, one at a residence — were taken to ICE's San Francisco office to be interviewed, photographed and fingerprinted; those who aren't charged criminally will be voluntarily returned to Mexico, or placed in removal proceedings. Holman wasn't sure where they were being held Friday night, and said their names won't be released unless they're criminally charged.

The arrests didn't result in any children left without caretakers, she said: "We definitely aren't trying to take people away from their children at this point."

She also said it's unclear whether ICE or other agencies are probing where these people got their fake documents, as they're widely available: "You can buy it on any street corner in the Mission or on International Boulevard in the Fruitvale."


http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_5721341

WTG ICE we are seeing more stories like this every day, keep sending the message

ICE's audit of Eagle Bag Corp.'s personnel records found 47 of the company's more than 70 workers had submitted counterfeit immigration documents with bogus alien registration numbers to get their jobs; also, 33 of them — including seven of the 13 arrested — had used stolen Social Security numbers.

What is it the pro-illegal alien bunch have on their banners, "No human being is illegal"? Well I'd like to know what they call the above ICE audit.

ICE in Oakland????

Eagle Bag tried to comply with hiring laws and isn't facing any charges, ICE reported.

Yeah right, it's the same old dance and song. I will never be convinced that most of these employers don't know they're hiring criminal aliens. I just can't believe anyone that hires that many illegals has no idea what's going on. Americans running their own business aren't typically that dumb.

seven of the 13 arrested — had used stolen Social Security numbers.

Hmmm.......and IRS didn't notify the company of this?

Agents still are investigating whether any will face federal prosecution for aggravated identity theft, which is punishable by a mandatory minimum of two years in federal prison.

What is there to investigate? Either they were using stolen SSN numbers or they weren't!

The arrests didn't result in any children left without caretakers, she said: "We definitely aren't trying to take people away from their children at this point."

Looks like the illegals and their supporters are winning the day on this issue. I think it's ridiculous that children are being used as a free pass. I'll bet at least 1/3 of the inmates in prisons and jails throughout the country have a child - why not just let them all go? After we've let all of them go, let's make sure we inquire as to the family status of all arrested criminals in the future - wouldn't want to punish them for their crime if they have a child to care for.

The company's Web site says Frank Wang immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in 1986, and his brother Robert in 1994.

That could explain a lot.