http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8204636

Illegal immigrants arrested in raid to be deported

Associated Press - April 21, 2008 5:45 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Federal judges have ordered 18 illegal immigrants arrested a north Arkansas poultry plant to be processed for deportation.

But none will serve any prison time for using fake Social Security numbers and state identification cards.

Two judges in Little Rock accepted guilty pleas today from 17 of those arrested at the Pilgrim's Pride plant in Batesville last week.

Those arrested had faced up to up to two years in prison and $205,000 in fines.

U.S. Attorney Jane Duke says her office had no interest in seeing those arrested serve prison time, as they were "otherwise law-abiding citizens."

Three others face administrative charges of immigration violations after the raid Wednesday at the plant operated by East Texas-based Pilgrim's Pride.

The crackdown was part of a national sweep at company operations in Florida, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.