The Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has now reportedly arrested over 1,000 illegal workers and is proposing fines for businesses that employ them.
This crackdown marks a significant escalation in enforcement efforts, with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) noting it as the highest rate of arrests in the agency’s history.
HSI acting Executive Associate Director Robert Hammer announced that they have subpoenaed business records from around 1,200 companies and proposed nearly $1 million in fines.
Hammer condemned businesses that exploit illegal labor, stating that such practices harm the American public. He emphasized ICE’s dual mission of protecting citizens and enforcing immigration laws.
In recent operations, ICE has intensified workplace enforcement, including a civil complaint against a Chinese money laundering organization that allegedly operated a staffing company supplying illegal labor to an Ohio factory.
Additionally, a raid in Washington state led to the arrest of 37 illegal workers who had fraudulently represented their immigration status.
Further, two owners of a bakery in Texas were arrested for hiring illegal aliens.
Experts suggest that implementing a national E-Verify mandate could further deter illegal immigration by making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to secure jobs.
Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies stated that such a mandate would significantly reduce the incentive for people to enter the U.S. illegally.
Currently, estimates suggest there are approximately 18.6 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., posing challenges for enforcement agencies.
Krikorian noted that a considerable reduction in this population could come from self-deportation if employment opportunities diminish.
Overall, the administration’s recent actions reflect a renewed focus on immigration enforcement and accountability for businesses hiring illegal workers.
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