Sheriff establishes unit to investigate the hiring of illegal immigrants
By Mary Lolli

By Mary Lolli



Staff Writer

HAMILTON — Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones is mobilizing a special unit of deputies to investigate reports about local businesses allegedly hiring illegal immigrants.

Jones said Thursday his office in recent months had been inundated with information and complaints about undocumented workers.

Calling it a “public service,” Jones is now sending deputies to those businesses to remind employers about federal laws prohibiting the employment of illegal immigrants and to assist in the prosecution of employers violating those laws.

Jones said he realizes that some employers may “inadvertently” have an illegal or undocumented alien on their payroll. So deputies from his fugitive division are initially being dispatched to area businesses and job sites to make employers aware that allegations have been made concerning their hiring practices.

Jones said he not only wants to make businesses aware of complaints, but also intends to assist them in confirming the legal status of employees suspected to be illegal aliens.

“Their first priority is to seek out and arrest those individuals who have been classified as ‘criminal aliens’ (illegal aliens who have been convicted of crimes unrelated to their citizens status),” Jones stated in a release issued Thursday.

“Their second priority is to assist area businesses in achieving compliance with federal immigration laws,” he said. “Their third priority would be to assist in the investigation and prosecution of area businesses and employers who choose to ignore the law.”

Lastly, Jones said the unit will also be working with federal agents to facilitate the deportation of illegal aliens found within the county.

Jones is asking the public for assistance in tracking down illegal aliens by providing information via the sheriff’s Web site at www.butlersheriff.org, or by writing the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, 705 Hanover St., Hamilton OH 45011.


Contact this reporter at (513) 810-2192 or mlolli@coxohio.com

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