17-State Sweep Targets Illegal Hiring
In a sweep across California and 16 other states, federal immigration officials descended on eateries such as the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood on Wednesday and Thursday, arrested almost 200 illegal immigrants working for a janitorial company and filed criminal charges against the firm's top three officials.
Accusing Florida-based Rosenbaum-Cunningham International of building a business around "a ghost workforce that was paid in cash," agents raided establishments in 63 locations — including West Hollywood, Arcadia, Anaheim, Ontario, Orange, Irvine and San Diego.
The arrests are the latest high-profile attempt by the Bush administration to shore up its enforcement credentials as Congress and the White House gear up for another round of debate over the nation's immigration laws that is expected to begin within weeks. NICOLE GAOUETTE and ADAM SHRECK in the Los Angeles Times.
Accusing Florida-based Rosenbaum-Cunningham International of building a business around "a ghost workforce that was paid in cash," agents raided establishments in 63 locations — including West Hollywood, Arcadia, Anaheim, Ontario, Orange, Irvine and San Diego.
The arrests are the latest high-profile attempt by the Bush administration to shore up its enforcement credentials as Congress and the White House gear up for another round of debate over the nation's immigration laws that is expected to begin within weeks. NICOLE GAOUETTE and ADAM SHRECK in the Los Angeles Times.