A Mexican national residing illegally in Mission, Texas, has been arrested on charges related to employing and harboring individuals without legal status in the United States. The arrest was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Juan Ramirez Cortez, 39, was taken into custody on July 10 during an enforcement action. He is set to appear for a preliminary and detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis on July 15 at 3 p.m., remaining in custody until then.
The charges allege that Cortez, as manager of Ole Taco in Mission, was responsible for hiring and firing employees and managing employment paperwork and immigration documentation. It is claimed he hired at least ten illegal aliens.
During the enforcement action, authorities also detained 17 other individuals found to be illegally present in the United States.
If convicted, Cortez could face up to five years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Storey Lyles is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct but not evidence of guilt. A defendant remains innocent unless proven guilty through due process of law.
