http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006.../628102015.txt


ICE arrests 22 illegal immigrant workers

By: North County Times

ENCINITAS ---- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 22 illegal immigrants Wednesday who work for an Encinitas business that contracts with Camp Pendleton, an agency spokeswoman said.

The agents went to the homes of 22 male employees who work for Burtech Pipeline and made the arrests, said ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack.

ICE agents reviewed the hiring records of Burtech Pipeline and discovered that the 22 were illegal immigrants, many of which used fraudulent social security and alien registration numbers to complete the required forms to be hired, Mack said.


Two of the employees had criminal records for prior narcotics convictions including a legal permanent resident whose conviction now makes him deportable, she said.

None of the employees arrested has been identified as having worked on Camp Pendleton, Mack said. She said there is no evidence to show they had terrorist ties.

"Those who use fraud or false documents to gain employment mask not only their true identities, but also their motives. Morever, they could be open to exploitation by terrorists or other criminals," said Julie Myers, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE.

Wednesday's arrests were part of an ongoing series of investigations by ICE to target illegal immigrants employed at companies with a link to national security and identify criminal activity by the employee or employers.


Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.
Escojuana wrote on June 28, 2006 4:42 PM:"Cool...the ICEMEN COMETH!! About time!"

Larry wrote on June 28, 2006 5:02 PM:"Only 22. Where are the other 22,000?"

Ed wrote on June 28, 2006 5:34 PM:"While occasion to cheer, the latest successful ICE action to find and root out a handful of illegal alien workers (including criminal illegal aliens) begs the question: What can America do to stop these illegal aliens, some of them criminals, from coming here and staying here in violation of immigration law? A simple answer exists: pass a law, with teeth, prohibiting employers from hiring illegal aliens. Without a job prospect, the illegal aliens now here would tend to self-deport, and foreign nationals would tend not to come here in the first place."

Bobby wrote on June 28, 2006 5:37 PM:"All should walk in another man's shoes. "

JOSE wrote on June 28, 2006 5:40 PM:"This bust only scratches the surface. If fines are enforeced, perhaps, this will send a message to employers who hire illegals."

Ann wrote on June 28, 2006 5:52 PM:"The other 22,000 Larry are being hired by your neighbors. Why are we tolerating our neighbors employing these criminal illegals? How about some old fashion peer pressure towards your friends and neighbors to discourage any illegals from working."

contessa wrote on June 28, 2006 6:14 PM:"22 down only about 14 million more to go. NO AMNESTY. NO GUESTWORKERS. NO PATH TO CITIZENSHIP. (NOT NOW AND NOT EVER!) ENFORCE THE LAW. BUILD THE WALL. SECURE THE BORDERS. BOYCOTT MEXICO. "

LO.... wrote on June 28, 2006 7:08 PM:"That's what I'm talking about!!! Burtech should be ashamed of themselves!! ICE ICE BABY!!! This is what we need! Start the shakedown! If these guys are willing to cross the border ILLEGALY, use FRAUDULENT Social Security numbers, what else are they capable of? Obivously they choose not to obey our laws...these are not people we want or need in OUR Country. I am with Contessa all the way...Seal the border, build a wall!!! And while we are at it Boycott Mexico!!! "

Seaweed wrote on June 28, 2006 7:28 PM:"Cancel the contract and hire another company.."