2:30 AM
Hackett did not break law, feds say
He did not tell authorities that housekeeper was illegal immigrant after firing her.
BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com


Republican congressional candidate Chris Hackett did not break the law by failing to notify federal authorities that his housekeeper was in the country illegally, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency spokesman.


Hackett said he fired his housekeeper after learning the woman was an illegal immigrant. He didn’t notify the authorities because, he said, he didn’t feel he was required to do that.

While it’s not a legal requirement, the ICE welcomes information on people who are in the country illegally, according to Michael Gilhooley, director of communications for the northeast region of ICE in Vermont. He said there are no laws requiring a citizen or an employer to report an illegal immigrant to the federal agency.

“That being said, we certainly would take information on any individual who is suspected to be an illegal alien,â€