About 300 Suspected Illegal Workers Arrested in Greenville Raid
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Search Warrants Served at Greenville Poultry Plant...
The U.S. Attorney says federal search warrants and enforcement operations were carried out at Columbia Farms Poultry Processing in Greenville
After 450 federal agents served search warrants and carried out enforcement operations at a Greenville business, about 300 people were arrested and accused of being illegal immigrants.
It’s believed as many as 500 workers are being detained outside Columbia Farms Poultry Processing on Rutherford Road in Greenville. Agents surrounded the plant and started the raid around 8:50am.
According to the Associated Press, A prosecutor says the vast majority of the 825 people who work at the Columbia Farms plant have questionable immigration papers. About 300 people were arrested in today’s action.
U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins tells News Channel 7’s Kristen Nastasia Tuesday’s bust is large for South Carolina, at a level never seen here in the past. Representatives of Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Washington, DC are at the scene. ICE said this was the biggest workforce enforcement raid in the history of South Carolina or North Carolina.
“The majority of them will be administratively processed and deported,“ said Wilkins this morning. “Those deemed worthy of criminal prosecution, our office will handle. And we will treat them as we would any other criminal case.“
Wilkins says Tuesday’s bust is the end of a ten month investigation into Columbia Farms employment practices.
This same plant was raided earlier this year by ICE. Seven people have already pleaded guilty to using falsified work documents.
Wilkins and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge of Investigations Kenneth A. Smith will brief the media this afternoon.
Air 7 video shows hundreds of people outside the plant. We’re told this is a mix of workers, agents and some people waiting to be interviewed by ICE.
Relatives of those detained today can call the following number to find out the status of their loved one or express other humanitarian concerns: 866-341-3858.
—Reporting by Kristen Nastasia
News Channel 7 will update this story tonight starting at 5:00 and here at wspa.com
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Reader Reactions
Another thing if All Americans are lazy and slow then what does that make you? and if you’re not a legal American then go HOME! THIS ISN’T YOUR HOME!
Oh, I forgot to ask, are you just dumb or cant you read? The economy is in a mess because of bankers giving out loans to people who really cant afford them. Every one wants to live high on the hog ,new house, kids with cell phones and new cars, exc….
Now pay for your crap and dont put the fault on the hispanics.
I must now stop writing you because I can tell your not very intelligent!!!
It is my opinion that everyone has a right to work and a right to live in America, but I certainly do believe that it should be done the legal way. I agree that everyone who is not physically disabled to work should work, and those of us who have worked everyday of our lives since we were 16 years old should not be paying for those are basically too lazy! These people do work hard, but they should also do it legally. These companies know these people work hard and know since they are illegal that they don’t have to pay them appropriately. These companies should be fined heavily!
Tell you exactly why.. Because the owners of that company and many others in the US are $ hungry and can pay a illegal alot less than they can LEGALLY pay a US Citizen! That’s why! Not only should the illegals be deported but the owner of that plant that hired them should also be! They like them so much they can go back to Mexico with them!....
Why you think all these companies cry when it comes to immigration.. If you get rid of the illegals they’d actually have to pay a decent LEGAL wage!!!
Since you know it all tell me why arent these GOOD LEGAL people working there in the first place? Its funny how they wont work out in the fields or in chicken plants but they are so GOOD!!
Maybe thats the problem, they are TOO GOOD.
Without hispanics working, the United States would go down quick.I have a feeling your all about to find out too.
Americans are LAZY AND SLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
I BELIEVE IN WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU ARE FROM…...
IF YOU DONT WORK YOU SHOULDNT EAT!!!!!!!!!
AH haa… new jobs are now open for leagal peeps, any takers…
There are enough good LEGAL People looking for work in this area these days who would die to have a Job period!
Deport ALL Illegals (I don’t care what country if you’re illegal GO HOME!)
You don’t belong here! YOU are the reason the economy sucks right now!
If the sorry whites would work we wouldnt need to hire hispanics.We wont even go there with the so called African American welfare lovers.Have a baby every year and get more money for it!!!!
Hispanics work hard and DONT complain, stop being jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s about time. Most hope this is one of many to come in our state. Try the Greenwwood or Newberry area next.
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