Thread: Hawaii on the lookout for illegal workers

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Hawaii on the lookout for illegal workers
U.S. Attorney Kubo says recent arrests may be 'tip of the iceberg'

More than 80 illegal immigrants have been arrested in the past month in Hawai'i, U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said yesterday, warning others who may be working illegally that "you better keep looking over your shoulder because we're coming."

"We are drawing a line in our sand," Kubo said at a press conference with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the state's Sheriff's Department, U.S. Marshall's Office and the Coast Guard. "Hawai'i has always been known for our aloha and acceptance of everyone, but there will be no aloha for those who lie, cheat and steal from us."

On Wednesday, 23 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested while working at the Honua Kai construction site in Ka'anapali, Maui. The contractor is the developer Intrawest.

Those arrested and jailed were 16 Mexicans, four Brazilians and one man each from Honduras, Guatemala and Peru.

Kubo said the investigation continues into whether their employer will be charged.

Last month, 43 Mexican aliens were arrested on O'ahu for allegedly working unlawfully for a company called Farms Inc. Of those, 23 have been charged with knowingly using a fraudulent green card, using a fraudulent Social Security number and possessing a fraudulent green card.

The third charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Attorney Dax Deason, representing Farms Inc., said "there are no charges against the company, we feel that we haven't violated any federal laws, and have followed all rules and regulations."

Kubo said the 80 arrests may be the "tip of the iceberg" of illegal immigration in Hawai'i.

"There is a pattern that we're eyeballing. It links up to people on the Mainland who are creating these high-quality fake documents. The documents which belonged to the aliens include identity numbers of other people with green cards which links to identity theft crimes," Kubo said.

Kubo said further investigations will include various industries, including agriculture, federal contractors, tourism, restaurants and construction.

"Our investigators will be increasing the tempo of these investigations and are looking at all types of work sites to uncover these violations," Kubo said.

He said he knows layoffs, such as those at Aloha Airlines and ATA, have hurt many people in Hawai'i.

"That is why I am deeply troubled when I see deliberate violations of federal law by those who cheat and lie to get our jobs."

Wayne Wills, special agent in charge with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said his agency helps local businesses investigate their employees' legal status through a program called Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. Business owners are also encouraged to enroll in and research their employees' status through a system called E-Verify.

"It's fairly easy to use the program. We have a full-time dedicated agent that gives presentations and can be reached for help on using the program," Wills said.

But attorney Deason said his client does not use E-Verify because it has serious problems. He said Swift & Company, a Mainland meat-packing firm, used E-Verify yet still suffered major raids over alleged illegal workers.

http://tinyurl.com/6ot379

More Illegal Workers Arrested This Week
By Jai Cunningham

[img]http://media.khon2.com/images/320*240/illegalimmigrantsjai.jpg[/img]

There have been a number of illegal workers arrested in Hawaii during the past month.

The latest was on the valley isle and netted nearly two dozen illegals.
The Honua Kai development was the target.

"As a result within the last two weeks approximately 41 undocumented workers have been arrested by our agents on the island of Maui and near that project, of which 28 of them were confirmed as actually working at Honua Kai," said U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo.

This week's arrests just add to a growing total.

"Since last December approximately 120 unauthorized aliens were taken into custody that related to work site enforcement operations," said Wayne Wills Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It was in December when federal agents raided the Pinnacle Condominium construction site, nabbing more than a dozen illegal aliens.

What accounts for such an influx in arrests.

"People are losing their jobs and it's not in the hundreds, but it's in the thousands. So these are available, good decent citizens who want to make an honest living so they can support their families," said Kubo.

The U.S. Attorney also warns it's not just the illegal immigrants being put on notice, but companies as well.

"That if you are illegally working here in the state, or if you are knowingly hiring illegal aliens you better keep looking over your shoulders because we are coming."

The men in custody who were found to have fake documents could face five to ten years in prison.

Companies could also face criminal prosecution.
http://www.khon2.com:80/home/ticker/27303354.html

It is wonderful to se a state cracking down before the problem gts wide spread. The cost of living there is among the very highest in he United States and people have a hard time getting by without illegal competition.