More Charges in Illegal Immigration Bust
By Emily Rittman

Story Created: Oct 17, 2007

Story Updated: Oct 18, 2007

Federal agents make more arrests Wednesday at a Barry County poultry processing plant just 6 months after a large illegal immigrant raid.

This time, seven U.S. citizens were arrested for harboring, hiring and encouraging illegal aliens to stay in the United States. Supervisors, managers and human resource employees involved in hiring at George's plant in Butterfield face federal charges.

136 illegal immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala were arrested at the Barry County Poultry plant back in May. Springfield ICE Investigator Michael Spinella says, "Thirty people returned to their home countries others are awaiting immigration court dates."

Now officials think the illegal aliens had some help from supervisors, managers and human resources. U.S. Western District Attorney John F. Wood says, "They aided in using the names of us citizens so they could work at George’s."

The seven employees arrested today face federal charges for harboring, hiring and encouraging illegal aliens to stay in the U.S. Agents say four of those employees helped illegal aliens steal other people's identities. Wood says, "No one is above the law regardless if you are employers or employees."

Officials say prosecuting employers is a top priority to crack down on illegal immigration. Wood says, "We do think it’s a problem, that's why we're devoting lots of resources to it." Officials say large plants aren't the only problem.

In Missouri, they've busted small siding companies, phone book distributors, and restaurants so far this year. Woods says, "Our message should be loud and clear you have to follow the law.â€