April 3, 2007

20 unauthorized workers nabbed by ICE at metal recycling site in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Twenty illegal aliens working at a metal recycling company here were arrested this morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents as part of a worksite enforcement investigation into the employment of unauthorized aliens.

Today, ICE agents executed a civil search warrant at 26 Metal Recycling & Company, a metal recycling business in Santurce, Puerto Rico owned by Felix Olmos.

In total, agents apprehended 20 illegal alien workers on administrative immigration violations. The 20 men, all nationals of the Dominican Republic, have been placed in removal proceedings. They are in ICE custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. All will remain in custody awaiting the outcome of their cases.

"We will continue to restore integrity to our nation's immigration system by identifying and arresting those who are illegally working in our country," said Manuel Oyola Torres, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico.

This worksite enforcement operation was part of the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), a comprehensive multi-year plan launched by the Department of Homeland Security to secure America's borders and reduce illegal migration. Under SBI, Homeland Security seeks to gain operational control of both the northern and southern borders, while re-engineering the detention and removal system to ensure that illegal aliens are removed from the country quickly and efficiently. SBI also involves strong interior enforcement efforts, including enhanced worksite enforcement investigations and intensified efforts to track down and remove illegal aliens inside this country.

ICE is working to combat unlawful employment and share the responsibility of minimizing vulnerabilities through a collaborative partnership program called ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE). By voluntarily participating in the IMAGE program, companies can reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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