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John Daley ReportingA week after federal agents arrested 13 undocumented workers in Tooele in a nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, more than half have been released, but they're awaiting court dates and almost certain deportation.
Those 13 men are now in the federal immigration detention and removal system. That means the legal wheels are turning and after some hearings, deportation is likely in the coming months.
Last week federal agents conducted a sweep of IFCO, the largest US pallet-making company, arresting more than a thousand undocumented workers and nine company executives. The company is accused of providing workers with housing, transportation, even false documents.
Thirteen undocumented immigrants were arrested at an IFCO plant in Tooele. Eight were later released and now will face removal proceedings before an immigration judge. The other five have some sort of previous arrest record and are currently in jail, waiting for their removal hearings.
Today, I spoke with an attorney for one of the 13. He says it's likely most will be sent back to their home country.
Steve Lawrence, Attorney for Undocumented Worker: "They are going to either have to leave the country, or if they can fix their status, do so. The majority are going to have to leave the country at some point in time. They'll have to leave their friends, their families and obviously, they're no longer employed."
The situation is similar for all of those IFCO workers here and elsewhere. Unless they can prove they are a US citizen or have a substantial hardship, like some life-threatening illness, they will eventually be deported, a process which typically takes six to nine months. Those who have come into the US illegally in the past can be deported immediately.
As for the people who hired the men, an immigration agent told me today, no one else there has been arrested, but the investigation continues.
