Immigration arrests 57 suspected illegal aliens at Defense Contractor
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U.S. Immigration raided an Asheville plant, arresting 57 suspected illegal aliens. It happened at Mills Manufacturing, which makes parachutes and military equipment for the Department of Defense. Immigration officials say the workers used stolen or doctored Id’s to get jobs there. Mills Manufacturing says they did not know the ID’s were false.
29 of the workers were released by evening. Immigration offiicals say they had to appear for a hearing at a later date. The others remain in custody.
We talked with Kelvin Bonilla, an employee who was not arrested, “I was lucky, I was one of the ones that had good paperwork. My cousin didn’t and that’s why I’m here picking her up and thank God she’s okay.“
Family, friends and supporters gathered at Henderson County Detention Center and prayed that the workers will not be deported. Said Carmita Cordova, a niece of one of the women arrested, “I was totally shocked. I was in tears because it’s my aunt, my cousins would no longer have a mom if she was to be deported.“
Mills Manufacturing does not face any penalties. CEO John Oswald says they did not know the documents were false, “There are laws that protect… civil rights laws, and anti discrimination laws, so its navigating those laws and trying to make sure you’re not discriminatory and then trying to make sure you’re in compliance.“ Oswald says the company will begin using a system called E-Verify to help check out documentation in the future.
Mills Manufacturing closed for the day but plans to reopen Wednesday. Oswald says they have lost one-third their workforce, which will slow down the company’s production until they can be replaced.
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Reader Reactions
I know this sounds cruel, but just because your illegal immigrant boyfriend avoided being caught for 14 years and had children here does NOT excuse him for breaking the law. Believe it or not, you did have the option - even the responsibility - of making sure he was legal before you got involved with him. However, there is good news - not only are your children US citizens, but they are also citizens of Mexico! So, marry the guy and then you and the kids are free to join him and live in Mexico.
I know I sound like a heartless jerk, but everyone in this country - employers, private citizens, etc. - has the responsibility to ensure that laws are being followed when they have the chance. Just because everyone throws their hands up and says, “It’s not my job to enforce federal immigration laws” doesn’t make one exempt from the fallout when your employee/boyfriend/whatever is caught and deported.
Hey…its about time we started looking into companies that hire illegals. I can’t help but believe this company didn’t no they were illegal.Maybe this got their attention. I think the illegals will return to their own countries as look as we stand united.
** SOCIAL SECURITY SHOULD NOTIFY AMERICANS WHEN MORE THAN ONE PERSON IS USING OUR NUMBER ... WE DESERVE THIS SIMPLE SAFEGAURD !!! ** SOCIAL SECURITY SEND THE NO MATCH LETTERS NOW AND WATCH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS GET THIER JOBS BACK NOW !!! **
COME ON MILLS MANUFACTURING THE GOVERNMENT IS LETTING YOU GET AWAY WITH ONE. TO THE U.S. IMMIGRATION THIS ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO DO WHAT MILLS MANUFACTURING DID IF YOU KEEP LETTING THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. GREAT GOING ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ORG. STICKING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PROTECTING OTHERS WHO DO.
hi im am writing in because, i have a boyfriend and he is mexican. 3 weeks ago he was arrested, and now is being deported back to mexcio. He has been here for 14 years and we have 4 children together.He has worked here for 10 years. i know the fact is he is illeagel,but know that he is getting deported what is me and my children to do… he had always been the one to work,so me with no work history,I can’t find a job. not only that what does my children do for a father? people does not understand that this is not easy to be with out your other loved one just because he is illeagel.he has a life here and family. we need help to keep them here as long as they do it the right way. i have lived with him for 10 years so what am i to do now?? how much is the state going to be willing to put up these families who is loosing someone the love, but moreless our children who is loosing a parent….
First, they can pray all they want, but the illegals WILL be deported (at least the ones who cannot figure out how to get the ankle braclet off and escape to Oregon or some other state).
Second, is Kelvin saying that he was lucky because his paperwork fooled even ICE? That’s what it sounds like, doesn’t it?
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