Some caught in immigration raid are back on the job
By HARRY EAGAR, Staff Writer POSTED: September 25, 2008


Some of the 21 workers arrested in an immigration raid Monday at Honua Kai at North Beach reportedly were back at work Tuesday, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Honolulu could not be reached to determine whether any of those collared had been able to show a valid immigration status.

Ledcor, the general contractor, had told its subcontractors by letter after an earlier raid in August that it would not tolerate use of workers who were not in compliance with immigration laws.

Ledcor advised its subs to use the eVerify service to attempt to confirm the legal status of workers. A Ledcor spokesman said the company believed that some subs had hired workers who submitted documents that were not authentic.

Subcontractors on the project have a clause in their contracts assuring that they will comply with immigration laws, and Ledcor told them that it would not tolerate deviations.

At the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Hawaii District, Assistant Attorney Larry Buttrick said Wednesday that it was too soon for paperwork from ICE to have reached that office.

It would not in any case, he said, if ICE chose to use administrative sanctions. If a criminal case develops, it would take some time to prepare.

He said the U.S. Attorney was still investigating to determine who was behind Global Stone, the subcontractor whose workers were arrested.

In August, workers for several subs were arrested, including several from Global Stone. On Monday, all 21 who were arrested were working for Global Stone.

State business registration records show Global Stone to be a company managed by its members, who apparently are the same people who were arrested. Its business address is a condominium unit in Kahana. No names are in the state registration records.

Buttrick said there must be someone behind the company, and U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said in a press statement Tuesday that "we will aggressively pursue all available remedies to address this issue" with employers.

Buttrick said other information in addition to state registration could help uncover who is behind Global Stone, such as whoever signed for the workers' compensation insurance that Global must have had to show in order to get its state contractor license.

"Illegal aliens cannot operate a business," said Buttrick.

After the first raid in August, Ledcor issued a statement, which the company said still stands. It said, in part, "Ledcor supports Immigration and Customs enforcement efforts to solve this national problem. In keeping with Ledcor's stringent hiring policies, we require all potential Ledcor employees meet all state and federal laws. We cross check the information to assure compliance with the law."

None of the 43 people arrested in the two raids was a direct Ledcor employee.

Representatives of Intrawest, the developer of Honua Kai, could not be reached for comment.

* Harry Eagar can be reached at heagar@mauinews.com.

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