Thread: CA: 17 illegal immigrants arrested in crackdown on vendors

Published: 2/15 6:41 pm
Updated: 2/15 7:14 pm

For the first time, five local, state, and federal agencies joined forces to crack down on illegal street vendors on Valentine's Day. During the sting operation, 17 people were arrested for being in the country illegally.

Gustavo Martinez comforted his children Wednesday outside his brother's northwest Bakersfield home. Martinez is trying to grasp the uncertainty of what comes ahead. His wife, Leticia, was arrested Tuesday while selling flowers in front of the family's piñata shop.

"I passed by and saw two men in uniforms inside our store and I thought they were sheriffs," said Gustavo Martinez. The family had a business permit, but they didn't have one to sell flowers.

Martinez and his wife have expired tourist visas. "When I saw was my wife in handcuffs in the parking lot. She nodded negatively so I wouldn't get close," continued Martinez.

The sting operation was led by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The agency invited U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to tag along.

ICE Spokesperson, Virginia Kice sent 17 News this statement. "My operational counterparts from Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) advise that the California Department of Food and Agriculture requested ERO's support with this operation."

"ERO officers provided assistance with language translation and also screened those arrested to determine if any of the individuals met ICE's enforcement priorities, including immigration fugitives and previously deported criminal aliens," she added.

The sting originally targeted people illegally selling merchandise. "You have to think about the businesses that are legit who are paying overhead and all that and taxes and insurance. It's not fair for them, for someone to come in and take their business," noted Ignacio Morales, City Code Enforcement.

Morales said ten people are facing misdemeanor charges for selling gifts without the proper permits and licenses. Gustavo Martinez said his wife is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail. The family is trying to find an attorney.

17 illegal immigrants arrested in crackdown on vendors | KGET TV 17

So, they came on a tourist VISA, and just set up shop. Then, they were so busy having new US citizens that they failed to notice the expiration date on their tourist VISA.

The bankrupt state of California would have appreciated their sales tax remittances to compensate for the services that their "little family" recieved.

Who knew the California Department of Agriculture was better equippped to deal with illegal foreign nationals that are scamming the US than the Department of Homeland Security. Sounds like DHS inclusion was an afterthought.

It is Shocking that these illegals have to follow the same rules that other businesses have to follow. I am sure public demonstrations claiming discrimination and multiple articles for the Obama White House directed media will follow soon.

Who issues the business licenses for these people. or is that part of the fake ID package that they pick up at their local flea market?

RELATED

http://www.alipac.us/f12/119-912-dep...2012-a-249751/
CA - 46,660 (More than any other state.)

"I passed by and saw two men in uniforms inside our store and I thought they were sheriffs," said Gustavo Martinez. The family had a business permit, but they didn't have one to sell flowers.

Martinez and his wife have expired tourist visas. "When I saw was my wife in handcuffs in the parking lot. She nodded negatively so I wouldn't get close," continued Martinez.

I don't get it......how does someone here on a tourist visa get a business permit?

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

RELATED

http://www.alipac.us/f12/119-912-dep...2012-a-249751/
CA - 46,660 (More than any other state.)

Considering the number of illegals in California, that number seems low to me.

RELATED

http://www.alipac.us/f12/119-912-dep...2012-a-249751/
NC - 3,150

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

RELATED

http://www.alipac.us/f12/119-912-dep...2012-a-249751/
NC - 3,150

That number seems mighty low too.