Immigration agents arrest 114 at Ohio landscaper

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


John Minchillo and Elliot Spagat, Associated Press Updated 6:39 pm, Tuesday, June 5, 2018

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — More than 100 workers at an Ohio gardening and landscaping company were arrested Tuesday when about 200 federal officers descended on the business and carried out one of the largest workplace immigration raids in recent years.

The operation was part of the White House's increasing focus on businesses that hire people in the country illegally amid a broad range of immigration crackdowns under President Donald Trump that include stepped-up deportations, targeting of sanctuary cities and zero-tolerance border policies.

The 114 arrests occurred at two locations of Corso's Flower & Garden Center, one in Sandusky, a resort city on Lake Erie, and another in nearby Castalia. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it expected criminal charges including identity theft and tax evasion.

No criminal charges were filed against the company, but the employer is under investigation, authorities said. Two locations were searched, and Khaalid Walls, an agency spokesman, said "a large volume of business documents" were seized.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Immigration-agents-arrest-114-in-landscaper-sting-12968517.php

[MGKrebs]

1. "No criminal charges were filed against the company, but the employer is under investigation"

Yeah, we'll see if the employer is held accountable.

If ICE can come in and immediately determine who is legal and who is not, how come the employer can't? What is wrong with this picture?

[DURHAM D]

2. Exactly.

They looked at the W2s and/or 1099s he issued plus his company tax returns and they know he is guilty.

[MGKrebs]

3. They pick on the immigrants because they can't fight back.

But the employers are just as guilty, if not more so.

[dhol82]

4. Well, there goes that business

Wonder if he can any amurricans to work for him?

[marble falls]

5. This guy had to be a cheetolini supporter. Who's going to do the work we wouldn't...

do for wages less than we'd have our kids to do it for. Like kitchen work as well as landscaping. Why are we kicking out people who want to work and who a lot of the time have no intention of staying here past some years or seasons of work. Whats wrong with a living wage and work permits at least.

[Sherman A1]

6. The company should be held responsible

For hiring these workers. I could understand missing a few but not near that many.