MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – HSI continues to target businesses who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
In just a month, the Gulf of America Homeland Security Task Force has swarmed two publicly funded school construction sites, arresting nearly 50 illegal immigrants working on these projects.
On July 23, federal agents surrounded the Loxley Elementary School construction site.
On June 24, three dozen undocumented workers were arrested at the new Gulf Shores High School construction site.
It’s not just public jobs. Other raids have targeted private construction sites across Baldwin County.
After seeing the news about the Loxley raid, a local contractor said it’s hard to compete with companies that hire illegal workers. Special Agent in Charge for HSI in Alabama and Georgia Steven Schrank said that’s exactly why they’re taking action.
ICE has a voluntary program called IMAGE that helps businesses make sure they’re hiring legally. It offers E-Verify, training, and audit help. Homeland Security says it’s a tool for honest companies trying to compete fairly.
Schrank told me holding businesses accountable for hiring non-citizens doesn’t happen overnight, and these investigations go deeper than you think.
Schrank said business owners that knowingly hire illegal workers can be fined and even put in jail.
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