Thread: SD:Dakota Beef admits to knowingly hiring illegal immigrants

Howard company admits to knowingly hiring illegal immigrants

February 3, 2009


Dakota Beef has admitted it knowingly hired 15 illegal immigrants between 2007 and 2008 to work at its organic meatpacking plant in Howard.
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Federal prosecutors will recommend that a judge impose a $37,500 fine against the company, according to a plea agreement filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls.

U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley said seven of the workers are being prosecuted on identity theft-type charges and the remaining eight are either at large or being processed for immigration violations.

An affidavit in the case is sealed, but a separate filing against one of the employees describes a June 24, 2008 immigration raid at the plant. It said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up to “execute criminal arrest warrants for company employees. Shortly after entering the plant, several Hispanic employees fled the plant on foot through a rear entrance.â€

$37,000 is way too low. It should be at least $37,000 PER illegal.

pocket change for a large company.Increase the fines