More than 80 illegal immigrants have been arrested in the past month in Hawai'i, U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said yesterday, warning others who may be working illegally that "you better keep looking over your shoulder because we're coming."
"We are drawing a line in our sand," Kubo said at a press conference with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the state's Sheriff's Department, U.S. Marshall's Office and the Coast Guard. "Hawai'i has always been known for our aloha and acceptance of everyone, but there will be no aloha for those who lie, cheat and steal from us."
On Wednesday, 23 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested while working at the Honua Kai construction site in Ka'anapali, Maui. The contractor is the developer Intrawest.
Those arrested and jailed were 16 Mexicans, four Brazilians and one man each from Honduras, Guatemala and Peru.
Kubo said the investigation continues into whether their employer will be charged.
Last month, 43 Mexican aliens were arrested on O'ahu for allegedly working unlawfully for a company called Farms Inc. Of those, 23 have been charged with knowingly using a fraudulent green card, using a fraudulent Social Security number and possessing a fraudulent green card.
The third charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Hawai'i on the lookout for illegal workers | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser
The hammer continues to fall .. . . . .
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