More than 1,000 undocumented workers have been arrested and $1 million in fines issued in a nationwide employment crackdown led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in coordination with other federal agencies.
According to ICE’s announcement on April 15, the investigation began on January 20 and involved the review of records from over 1,200 businesses. The operation was jointly conducted with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) division to identify companies employing undocumented immigrants.
“This is the highest number of arrests in such a short time in HSI history,” said Robert Hammer, Deputy Executive Director of HSI. He added that the total amount of fines notified to employers has already reached $1 million.
Crackdown Conducted Under Trump-Era Executive Order
The enforcement effort follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.”
ICE stated that hiring undocumented immigrants is a direct violation of federal law and warned that such actions endanger public safety.
“Hiring undocumented foreign nationals is clearly a federal offense,” the agency said. “Employers who do so are engaging in behavior harmful to the public.”
Chinese Labor Brokerage Busted in Ohio
ICE officials disclosed that a Chinese-operated labor brokerage firm was found supplying undocumented workers to a factory in Ohio. According to Jared Murphy, an ICE investigator, the organization is also facing allegations of concealing undocumented immigrants.
The agency seized 14 properties, 7 bank accounts, and 15 vehicles connected to the operation.
Multi-State Raids in Recent Weeks
In the past two months, federal agents have executed workplace raids in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, targeting businesses suspected of illegal employment practices.
ICE confirmed the illegal immigrant employment crackdown will continue in the coming months.
“Federal authorities will continue prosecuting employers who hire or exploit undocumented immigrants,” the agency emphasized. “Verifying employment eligibility protects employers from both criminal and civil penalties.”
ICE Urges Use of I-9 Verification Forms
ICE urged business owners to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form before hiring any worker. This federally required document confirms that employees are authorized to work in the United States and helps shield employers from future legal consequences.
BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
