Thread: 29 illegal immigrants arrested in Bald Head Island, NC

29 illegal immigrants arrested in Bald Head Island, NC

Aug 10, 2006 08:40 AM EDT

29 illegal immigrants arrested in Bald Head Island

BRUNSWICK COUNTY -- Federal agents went into one of the most exclusive communities in the area and arrested more than two dozen illegal immigrants.

Those immigrants, and some of the people who hired them, are facing possible criminal charges.

Bald Head Island stands apart from most of our area, only accessible by boat. But like most local communities it's seeing rapid growth, and construction on the island is a big business.

Tuesday the Coast Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents busted 29 illegal immigrants working on some of multi-million dollars homes.

A spokesperson said the worksite enforcement operation was intended to target illegal workers and the employers who hire them.

Contractors who work on the island say the loads of workers coming onto the island Wednesday was much lower than before, and they say it's because of the people who were arrested Tuesday.

During off-camera interviews contractors on the island say before the bust hundreds of workers would come across on the ferry or sometimes in privately owned boats.

One contractor who saw the bust says the Coast Guard checked boats. They say some employers were fined in the thousands and their boats taken because of their involvement.

No law enforcement officials would elaborate on those claims, only that people are facing charges and some deportation.

In late July the Coast Guard stopped two boats full of illegal immigrants in Southport, also without documentation.

But sources say they let the immigrants go when federal agents would not assist in the case.

http://www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp ... v=menu70_2

Finally it came out so I could post it.... Yes this is were your ALIPAC baywatch with a G works.

Sorry to say they missed a lot more than they got. But it was a start.

See some times you do feel like writing those letters to your reps pays off.

The link to the TV station does have video.

Guess we have a Coast Guard Commander in the area with some intestinal fortitude.

been trying to find out if they have an email address so we can send them some at a boys.
here is a link about the station.

http://www.uscg.mil/d5/sector/northcaro ... Island.htm

Excellent news!