http://www.wtov9.com/news/10329672/detail.html -TARGET 9: Illegal Labor

POSTED: 5:15 pm EST November 15, 2006
UPDATED: 10:18 pm EST November 15, 2006

Local officials are joining forces and working harder than ever to send a strong message—that illegal immigrants and illegal workers will not be tolerated in the Ohio Valley.

Interstate 70 is known to be a major pipeline that brings many illegal immigrants crossing through the area.

Recently more than 90 illegal immigrants have been busted in Ohio County, but not all of them were just passing through.

"Everyone says we have an illegal immigrant problem, and I'm here to tell you we don't. We have an illegal employer problem," said Delegate Orphy Klempa.

Employers are being caught red-handed, stealing jobs from Ohio Valley workers by hiring undocumented workers.

The Ohio County sheriff, prosecutor, and lawmakers are teaming up to bring those employers down.

"We won't tolerate unauthorized workers whether it's illegal aliens or people that simply are not on the payroll," said Ohio County prosecutor Scott Smith.

Typically, the West Virginia Division of Labor investigates cases, but for the first time statewide, the Ohio County Sheriff's Department did their own investigating. With the help of the prosecutor's office, criminal charges are currently being filed against two out-of-state companies.

"If somebody comes in with a document and shows it to me and doesn't speak any English at all, I need to find out where this person has been, ask for references and push the envelope a little bit further. And these employers, based on what I have seen, aren't doing that," said Ohio County Sheriff Tom Burgoyne.

On top of stealing jobs from West Virginia workers, many undocumented workers don't pay their fair share of taxes, said Burgoyne and Smith.

"These people get treated at hospitals, are going to our schools. And they are not paying their fair share. The American way is to pay your fair share," said Burgoyne.

Right now employers face a $1,000 fine for hiring illegal workers, but some say that's just a slap on the wrist.

Klempa said he's working on a plan that packs a bigger punch.

According to his plan, the first time someone hires illegal undocumented workers, they would be fined $50,000. A second offense would give employers a $100,000 fine, and presidents and CEOs would go to jail. The third time, employers would lose their business licenses.

It will take some pushing, but major changes have already started in Ohio County, and officials said there's no better time than now.

"I don't know if we'll ever stop it completely, but I think we can drastically reduce it and that will be a good thing for the citizens of Ohio County,” said Smith.

"And in West Virginia because our state is so small, we can make a difference here. We can make things happen here," said Burgoyne.
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