Immigrants Say They Were Paid In Cash
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took two illegal immigrants to Pittsburgh.

Both Francisco Salvidar and Martin Ramos will go through a hearing in Pittsburgh, facing possible deportation.

On Saturday, September 10, police arrested Salvidar and Ramos on sexual assault charges. On Thursday, those charges were dropped.

While in police custody the men filled out an affidavit for eligibility for appointment of public defender, on the affidavit they claim they were being paid $1,200 per month in cash to work at the Wal-Mart development. An interpreter filled out the paper work and told a magistrate judge the men were being paid in cash with out taxes being taken out.

After Moundsville police contacted Wal-Mart the construction was shut down. Wal-Mart says they are shutting down construction until they can verify the immigration status of those working on site.

The Marshall County Prosecutor is asking the West Virginia Division of Labor to investigate.

"From speaking with the two we have in custody from speaking with their attorney's, I guess the gentlemen were doing steel work and were there to work on the girders on the site."

Prosecutor Jeff Cramer says they have not been able to prove or disprove immigration status but says there are allegations of dozens more illegal workers.

"My understanding is there were between 20-30, possibly more, that were employed by sub-contractors or contractors at the site, said Cramer

The Division of Labor Commissioner, Jim Lewis says they can't say if there is an investigation.

Lewis says investigations into undocumented workers are overwhelming the department.

Lewis says a study shows that undocumented workers are costing the state millions.

"They believe there's at any one time roughly five, 50-thousand undocumented workers in West Virginia and the cost to the state can be as much as 17-million to the state in lost revenue, said Lewis.

A similar investigation took place during the construction of the New Martinsville Wal-Mart. The building inspector at the time says they were able to identify several people who were not properly documented. Former building inspector Dave White says the people were immediately removed from the site.

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