Illegal immigration controversy pops up againIncident affects high-profile renewable energy operation
Terry Camp
HURON COUNTY (WJRT) - (07/05/07)--An illegal immigration controversy has popped up again in Mid-Michigan, this time in a high-profile renewable energy operation.

It's the Harvest Wind Energy Project near Pigeon in Huron County. It's been hailed by the state for the green energy and jobs it's supposed to produce in the future.

But Michigan State Police say some current workers are on the job illegally.

It came from a simple traffic stop near Bad Axe. Inside a car were two men. Both spoke very little English.

"I found out they were actually illegal immigrants," said Michigan State Police Sgt. Mark Sosnoski, describing the two men in the car he pulled over for speeding on the Fourth of July.

"They were able to speak a little English, saying they were working for a wind company near Elkton and the passenger had an uncashed payroll check and stubs in his pocket, including uncashed stubs."

The uncashed payroll check came from Sanderfoot Wind and Excavating of Appleton, Ws., a contractor building footings for several wind turbines for the Harvest Wind Energy Project.

Huron County has had several arrests over the last few months of illegal immigrants, including the arrest and deportation of several workers at a huge dairy farm west of Bad Axe.

That case is now being handled by the federal government.

While some suggest farm labor is difficult to find and migrant workers are needed, the $12-an-hour wage for the construction job makes Sosnoski believe more people will be upset about this latest arrest.

"I think there would be a lot of people who would be willing to do that construction work for the money the company is paying if it were presented to the local people," he said.

An official with Alliant Energy, which oversees the wind energy project, says the company was not aware that undocumented workers were doing some of the work while the contracting firm in question did call the State Police.

"He thought it was all legal and he is going through and checking the rest of his workers," Sosnoski said.

The two workers arrested Wednesday are being picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Friday.

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