Immigration raid in Deming leads to 21 arrests
Times staff report
Article Launched: 12/11/2007 04:23:39 PM MST


U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided a food processing plant in Deming, N.M., on Monday and arrested 21 undocumented immigrants.
The arrests resulted from a five-month investigation of Proper Foods Inc. The business employs about 300 people who prepare, package and distribute tamales for wholesale and retail sale.

All but one of those arrested were Mexican nationals, according to a news release from ICE. Ten of the aliens are adult males; 10 are adult females including a Honduran national. The youngest among the group was a 17-year-old Mexican youth. ICE agents have contacted the Mexican Consulate to reunite him with his family.

Three of those arrested and the 17-year-old have been released on their own recognizance, and were served with a notice to appear before an immigration judge at a later date. Six were detained and placed into removal proceedings. They are at the El Paso Processing Center awaiting their immigration hearing. The remaining 11 were voluntarily returned to Mexico on Monday.

Roberto G. Medina, special agent in charge of the Office of Investigations in El Paso, said such operations help combat illegal immigration and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

"Worksite enforcement operations are part of ICE's efforts to promote national security, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure fair labor standards," he said in a news release.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_7693469