Thread: TX-25 arrested in ICE raid

25 arrested in ICE raid
By Ramon Bracamontes / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 04/26/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT



Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents on Friday morning executed a search warrant at Nash Gardens at 150 E. Sunset in Sunland Park, N.M. A second search warrant was executed at the home of Mark Nash, owner of the landscaping service. (Mark Lambie / El Paso Times)Acting on a search warrant, federal agents Friday morning raided two Nash Gardens businesses and the home of its owner in search of unauthorized workers, federal agents said.

Several Nash Gardens employees were detained, and agents took several boxes of paper out of Mark Nash's home on the West Side.

Agents arrested 28 Mexican nationals, including 25 who face felony charges, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Twenty-five men, all employees of the landscaping business, were using fraudulent documents or Social Security numbers, officials said.

If convicted, the men face a maximum of five years in prison.

They remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal Service and will be detained at the Otero County jail until an initial federal court appearance next week.

Three men face administrative charges for violation of immigration laws.

Some of the men entered the country using a Laser Visa, but did not have a work permit.

Leticia Zamarripa, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the agents arrived at the three locations soon after 7 a.m. Friday.

The search warrants were the result of a yearlong investigation into the allegation that unauthorized workers had been hired by Nash Gardens, she said.

"This is a work-site enforcement issue," Zamarripa said. "This is an investigation into a business that is suspected of hiring unauthorized workers."

Some workers at the Nash Gardens business at 150 Sunset Road, and some workers at a Nash Gardens lot in Sunland Park were detained by ICE agents.
And at Nash's home on Fountain Drive on the West Side, several agents carried boxes of documents out of the home and into their cars.

Nash, who was at home, could be seen walking in and out of his house. He was not arrested or detained.

The landscaping and nursery business was closed only while agents executed the search warrant. It was reopened in the afternoon.

Ramon Bracamontes may be reached at rbracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6142.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_9058635

25 arrested...... 12 - 45 Million more to go.. at this rate I.C.E. we might make some headway some where into the 25th century.

GET BUSY, or look for a new line of work... PERIOD

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

25 arrested...... 12 - 45 Million more to go.. at this rate I.C.E. we might make some headway some where into the 25th century.

GET BUSY, or look for a new line of work... PERIOD

I'll still take this as good news!! This was not happening two years ago! I think things are changing in our favor!

Originally Posted by alexcastro

Originally Posted by AirborneSapper7

25 arrested...... 12 - 45 Million more to go.. at this rate I.C.E. we might make some headway some where into the 25th century.

GET BUSY, or look for a new line of work... PERIOD

I'll still take this as good news!! This was not happening two years ago! I think things are changing in our favor!

Arresting ILLEGALS and ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS is always very good news. But forgive me if I am not certain of their motives! Why after SEVEN years the Bush Administration is taking positive active against the ILLEGALS and the ILLEGAL Employers?????