Immigration agents had prepared a nasty surprise for the Garcia Labor Company, a temporary worker contractor, when they moved against it on charges of hiring illegal immigrants. They brought a 40-count federal indictment, part of a new nationwide strategy by immigration officials to clamp down on employers of illegal immigrant laborers. Maximino Garcia, the president of the company, which provides low-wage laborers to businesses from Pennsylvania to Texas, stood before a federal judge here on Tuesday to answer conspiracy charges of aiding illegal immigrants and money laundering. If convicted, Mr. Garcia, who pleaded not guilty, could serve 20 years in jail and forfeit his headquarters building and $12 million. . . . Hiring illegal immigrants 'has been a low-risk, high-reward enterprise,' said Brian M. Moskowitz, the agency’s [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] special agent in charge for Ohio and Michigan. 'We want to send the message that your cost of business just went up because you risk your livelihood, your corporate reputation and your personal freedom.' (New York Times, Monday)
For hiring people without the government's permission.
FEE Timely Classic
Where Are the Sons of Liberty? by Norman S. Ream