A recent operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has uncovered significant identity theft affecting more than 100 individuals across the United States. The investigation, which was led by ICE and involved multiple agencies, identified around 70 illegal aliens using stolen Social Security numbers and identities to secure employment at Glenn Valley Foods.
The use of these stolen identities allowed the individuals to unlawfully obtain wages, health benefits, and employment authorization. This has left the real victims facing serious financial, emotional, and legal challenges.
Mark Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City, which covers Omaha, commented on the situation: “There have been individuals who have gone on the record recently referring to the identity thieves we arrested last week as ‘good, hardworking, and honest.’ These so-called honest workers have caused an immeasurable amount of financial and emotional hardship for innocent Americans. If pretending to be someone you aren’t in order to steal their lives isn’t blatant, criminal dishonesty, I don’t know what is.”
Several cases highlight the impact of these stolen identities:
- A healthcare provider denied necessary prescriptions to a victim in Pennsylvania due to identity theft.
- A disabled person in Texas faced difficulties receiving Social Security disability payments because their identity was used fraudulently.
- In Colorado, a victim was asked by the IRS to repay over $5,000 after their income was falsely reported.
- A nursing student from Missouri lost tuition assistance due to fraudulent earnings reports linked to their Social Security number.
- A California resident has spent nearly 15 years trying to recover from financial damage caused by identity theft.
Zito further stated: “The criminals who stole these identities didn’t just break the law; they upended lives. These victims aren’t faceless statistics; they’re real people who are being denied healthcare and have lost educational opportunities.”
The investigation into this matter continues. ICE encourages anyone with information about suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity to contact them via their Tip Line or online Tip Form.
For media inquiries or interviews, Public Affairs Officer Tanya Roman can be contacted at Tanya.Roman@hsi.dhs.gov.
