U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal law enforcement agencies conducted a worksite enforcement operation in Lowell, Massachusetts, on May 16. During the operation, 11 individuals were arrested for being illegally present in the United States. All those arrested are citizens of Ecuador.
The arrests took place at a staging area for a roofing business based in Massachusetts. The ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England Worksite Enforcement group led the investigation, with support from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New England division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Boston field division.
Federal law mandates that employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of all employees using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. ICE utilizes the I-9 inspection program to ensure compliance with these requirements as part of its strategy to address unauthorized employment. These inspections are among the federal government's most effective tools for enforcing U.S. employment laws.
HSI's worksite enforcement strategy includes utilizing its full range of investigative capabilities. Such investigations often reveal additional criminal activities such as alien smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, document fraud, worker exploitation, and poor wages or working conditions.
The public is encouraged to report suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity by contacting the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting information online via the ICE Tip Form.
