U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is continuing its efforts to arrest thousands of illegal alien workers nationwide.
Now, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is working to hold businesses accountable for hiring illegal aliens. They say the recent stings have yielded the highest rates of arrests in HSI’s history. They have subpoenaed business records of around 1,200 businesses and are beginning to propose fines of up to $1 million.
"This agency has set the bar on arrests and removals while upholding its national security mission, said ICE deputy director Madison D. Sheahan. "Homeland Security Investigations has been zeroing in on worksite enforcement operations to protect American businesses. Since Jan. 20, HSI has arrested more than 1,000 illegal workers and proposed over $1 million in fines against businesses that exploit and hire illegal workers."
“Last week, HSI broke up a human smuggling ring that's allegedly responsible for bringing between 500 and 700 illegal aliens into the U.S. every year — aliens that the U.S. government never vetted. Our communities are becoming safer each day thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem's leadership,” Sheahan continued.
The effort is part of President Donald Trump’s “Protecting the American People Against Invasion executive order.
“Businesses that exploit and hire illegal workers are harming the American public,” said HSI acting executive associate director Robert Hammer. “ICE’s statutory duties include protecting Americans and enforcing more than 400 laws that relate to immigration, so there are two aspects to our worksite enforcement operations.”
In Baldwin County, several housing developments have been raided in recent months, with Border Patrol, the FBI and local authorities arresting workers from work sites. Many of those locations were D.R. Horton developments, including Stonebridge in Spanish Fort and Jubilee Farms in Daphne.
D.R. Horton has distanced itself from direct responsibility by stating that it depends on subcontractors to do their due diligence and follow sound hiring practices.
“D.R. Horton is fully committed to following all employment and labor laws and regulations,” said Jessica Hansen, D.R. Horton’s senior vice president of communications & people. “We require the same high standards from our subcontractors, who are responsible for verifying the employment eligibility of their workers.”
On February 26, Tomas Rivera-Melgar, a Honduran national, was arrested at a construction site in Spanish Fort. Agents determined Rivera-Melgar was previously removed from the United States in 2011 and 2016 for prior convictions of assault causing bodily harm and driving under the influence, respectively.
Rivera-Melgar was sentenced in April to time served and a one-year term of supervised release but was immediately referred to immigration officials for deportation.
Saul Cruz-Argueta received the same sentence after his arrest at Jubilee Farms. Although he tried to run from agents, they were able to capture him from the construction site and found he had been deported twice before.
Cruz-Argueta was deported in 2016 and 2018 for convictions of illegal reentry, theft of property and possession of marijuana.
1819 News has asked D.R. Horton how it ensures its subcontractors use verification processes for hiring. The company has not responded.
HSI suggests businesses gain training and coordination through its IMAGE program to strengthen hiring practices.
During the first 100 days of Trump’s second presidency, more than 66,400 illegal aliens have been arrested, and more than 65,500 of them deported. Three in four arrests were criminal illegal aliens. ICE said 2,288 subjects were gang members from Tren de Aragua, MS-13, 18th Street and other gangs. Per the agency, 1,329 were accused or convicted of sex offenses, and 498 were accused or convicted of murder.
The criminal records of those arrested include convictions or charges for 9,639 assaults, 6,398 DWIs or DUIs and 1,479 weapon offenses.
“We removed over 65,000 illegal aliens to countries across the world,” said ICE acting director Todd M. Lyons. “We’re just 100 days into this administration, and thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is using every tool at its disposal to enforce our country’s immigration laws and protect our communities.”
ICE is also partnering with local agencies through the 287(g) Program, which allows departments to identify and process removable aliens with pending or active criminal charges.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
