ICE Agents Catch Marine Corps Contractor Employing Undocumented Aliens

A second contractor within a month that was doing business with Camp Pendleton a Marine Corps base in California has been found by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to have employed illegal aliens. On June 28, 2006, 22 employees of Burtech Pipeline, a sewer, water and storm drain construction company were arrested by ICE agents following an investigation of the company’s employee records. ICE conducted an audit of all 180 employee records and 72 employees were found to have been undocumented aliens. In previous worksite enforcement operations, ICE has primarily focused on arresting undocumented aliens at the place of employment. In this operation, ICE agents searched the aliens’ homes in an effort to locate and apprehend them. Lauren Mack of ICE stated that Burtech Pipeline will not face criminal penalties at this time.

On May 29, 2006 ICE agents arrested employees of Standard Drywall Inc., another California company contracting with Camp Pendleton. Those arrests also followed an ICE audit of the company’s hiring records and Form I-9s. Standard Drywall Inc. will also not face criminal penalties for hiring undocumented aliens. ICE agents have previously stated that they will conduct raids at critical facilities such as airports and military bases where illegal aliens have access to vulnerable infrastructure. GT will continue to monitor and update our clients on ICE worksite enforcement operations.