News Releases and Statements

"With this certification, Arizona Labor Force makes a strong statement in supporting federal hiring laws," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI Arizona. "When a large staffing company makes a proactive commitment to ensure they provide their customers with a lawful work force, it is not only good for those customers, but benefits the community as a whole."

Huntsville-based System Dynamics International (SDI), which provides high technology engineering services to American and Australian militaries, became the latest employer to be certified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a ceremony Monday.

Universal Aerospace, Co. Inc., is now among the hundreds of businesses to sign on as an "IMAGE" or "ICE Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers" partner. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows businesses to partner with the agency to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. Universal Aerospace supplies companies including C&D Zodiac, B/E Aerospace and Jamco America.

Clare Rose Inc. is strengthening its hiring practices to ensure it is employing a legal workforce. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private sector businesses to partner with the agency to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. As a result, a participating employer is able to maintain a more secure, stable workforce.

The indictment was returned under seal May 21 and unsealed in its entirety July 16 after Ceasar Santiago Arroyo, 49, of Puerto Rico, surrendered to agents in Houston. Also charged and previously arrested were the following Houston residents: Mary Louise Flores, 43, Fernando Emmanuel Bustos, 31, Rudy Alexander Martinez, 33, and Israel Arquimides Martinez, 37.

Mei Ya Zhang, 29, of Waterville, was sentenced by Chief Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. for harboring undocumented aliens, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to file false employer's quarterly federal tax returns. In addition to imprisonment, Zhang was also ordered to pay more than $88,000 in restitution to the IRS. Zhang pleaded guilty to the charges June 5, 2013.

Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc., the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States, became the latest employer Friday to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program.

Lina Sun, 54, and Chenglun Ma, 57, pleaded guilty to racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) conspiracy charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin.

The inspection of the employers' documents is part of HSI's worksite enforcement strategy that launched in 2009 to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce.

Mei Juan Zhang, a restaurant manager from Fairfield, was sentenced March 25 to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for harboring undocumented aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

Peter Witkiewicz, the owner of Comfort Keepers, was presented a certificate of completion Thursday, indicating his company is a certified IMAGE partner.

With the Department of Defense as one of their primary clients, two Tampa-based consulting companies realized the importance of protecting the security of our nation. That's why Visual Awareness Technologies and Consulting Inc. and EKS Group LLC have become the latest employers to be certified by ICE's employment compliance program called IMAGE.

A New Mexico fast-food chain, Blake's Lotaburger, joined ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Friday in a nationwide program that helps employers strengthen hiring practices, and prevents the unlawful employment of unauthorized workers.

Premier Paving Inc. (PPI) was charged by misdemeanor Information Aug. 21. An executive, Russ Otterstein, on behalf of the corporation, signed an agreement Oct. 9 where the company pleaded guilty to unlawfully hiring illegal aliens.

According to court documents, two employment referral businesses operating out of Houston recruited illegal aliens, mostly from Mexico and Central America, to work in Chinese restaurants. These workers routinely worked 12 hours per day, six days per week.

Based on information gleaned from an audit, HSI special agents determined between approximately March 2011 and 2012, Juan Carlos Angel hired employees who were citizens of other countries and not legally permitted to work in the United States at his restaurants.

Three owners of a Kansas framing company, Advantage Framing Systems Inc., were each sentenced to more than a year in prison in federal court Wednesday for harboring undocumented workers.

Highland Engineering Inc. and Ultra Aluminum, both of Howell, have pledged to protect the integrity of their workforce by joining IMAGE.

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (SeMRHI) became the state's fifth employer to receive certification as an ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) partner during a ceremony at the company's headquarters Monday.

The indictment names owners Miguel Castro, 44, and Monica Castro, 43, both of Uniontown; and managers Cesar Castro, 28, of Akron; Aldo Castro,42, of Akron; Pedro Cervantes, 39, of Mexico; and Gustavo Torres, 45, of Kent.

HSI Yuma ASAC Jay Crede presents Jonathan Lines of Lines and Lundgreen Roofing and Insulation, Inc., with an IMAGE certificate during a ceremony Nov. 15. Lines and Lundgreen is the second Yuma company to become IMAGE certified.

The R.M. Kerner Company, Erie, Pa., has partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's employment compliance program, IMAGE, or ""ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers.

Alex Sanchez Jr., manager of El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant in eastern Kansas, was indicted in federal court Friday on nine counts related to hiring and harboring illegal aliens for his business.

Allen's Blueberry Freezer Inc. is a wild blueberry grower, freezer and processor in eastern Maine. They currently employ 45 at their Ellsworth facility. The partnership was marked Wednesday by a signing ceremony at the company's facility.

Twenty-four Puerto Rican businesses Wednesday became the latest employers to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to strengthen their hiring practices, reduce fraud and ensure they employ a legal workforce.