ICE worksite enforcement operation results in multiple arrests in Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. — On Feb. 26, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded to the scene of a traffic stop by state police in Jackson, Mississippi. There were two separate vehicles pulled over and seven illegal aliens from Guatemala and El Salvador were occupying the vehicles.
The individuals worked for 3 J Underground LLC located in Byhalia, a company that installs fiber optic cable for phone and Internet services. While on scene, the owner of the company, a naturalized United States Citizen, arrived along with another employee, a Lawful Permanent Resident from El Salvador. The owner of the company was asked if he knew that his employees were unlawfully present in the United States and he stated that he did not require them to complete any paperwork when they began working for him. ICE special agents explained to the owner of the company that employers are required to determine employment eligibility by having new employees complete the Form I-9 and provide supporting identity documents. ICE administratively arrested seven Guatemalan and El Salvadoran illegal aliens.
Under federal law, employers are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all individuals they hire, and to document that information using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. ICE uses the I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with the law, part of a comprehensive strategy to address and deter illegal employment. Inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal government uses to ensure that businesses are complying with U.S. employment laws.
ICE’s worksite enforcement strategy includes leveraging the agency’s other investigative disciplines, since worksite investigations can often involve additional criminal activity, such as alien smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, document fraud, worker exploitation and/or substandard wage and working conditions.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
