DEVELOPING: ID Theft, Fraud Part of Immigration Violations

U.S. Immigration officials took more than 100 suspected illegal immigrants into custody this morning as part of an ongoing investigation into identity theft, social security fraud and other violations.




Click HERE for the background on today's raid.



The individuals arrested are employees of George's Processing Inc., a poultry-processing plant located in Butterfield, Mo.



Missouri's U.S. Attorney has previously charged five individuals as a result of this investigation, including:

• Esperanza Piedrasanta-Oxlaj, indicted on May 17 for Social Security fraud


• Arnoldo De La Cruz-Garcia, pleaded guilty on April 12 for Social Security fraud


• Jose Rivera-De Anda, pleaded guilty on April 12 to making a false claim of U.S. citizenship and Social Security fraud


• Luis Cruz-Flores, pleaded guilty on March 7 to aggravated identity theft and Social Security fraud


• Pedro Diego-Catalan, pleaded guilty on Aug. 29, 2005 to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

Most of those arrested today are from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. They will be transported to detention facilities in Witchita, Kansas City and St. Louis. Hearings before federal immigration judges will be held in Kansas City. In all cases, illegal immigrants will be fingerprinted and placed in proceedings for removal from the country.

Family members of illegals who were arrested today can call 866-341-3858 for information regarding the detention and removal process.

Developing . . . .