Dave Gibson

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency announced this week that Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. has agreed to pay a $40,000 fine for hiring illegal aliens.

An inspection by ICE discovered Krispy Kreme has hired dozens of illegal aliens at their Cincinnati, OH factory.

According to the terms of the agreement, in addition to paying the fine, the doughnut maker must revamp their hiring process in order to hire only those authorized to work in this country.

Recently, ICE officials announced that 652 businesses across the country will be investigated to see if they are compliant with immigration laws.

Another investigation discovered that 1,800 of American Apparel’s workers were illegal aliens, using fraudulent documents. The company which is located in Los Angeles is the nation’s largest clothing manufacturer, and the 1,800 illegal workers represent a third of of their workforce.

The following is a short list of some of the more high-profile companies recently caught with illegal aliens in their employ:

Agriprocessors Inc. – On May 12, 2008, ICE agents executed criminal and administrative search warrants at Agriprocessors, Inc., in Postville, IA, which resulted in the arrest of 389 illegal aliens. 305 of those arrested were also convicted of criminal offenses.

Pilgrim’s Pride – On April 16, 2007, ICE agents arrested 311 illegal aliens working at five Pilgrim’s Pride sites. Of the 311 arrested, 91 were charged with other criminal violations.

Del Monte Produce – On June 12, 2007, ICE agents arrested 168 illegal alien employees at their Portland, OR facility. In addition to the illegal workers, 13 managers and other workers were arrested and charged with various crimes including selling Social Security cards.

Swift and Company – On Dec. 12, 2006, ICE agents arrested 1,297 illegal aliens at six Swift meat processing factories in six states. 274 of those arrested were also charged with other criminal offenses.

Smithfield Foods – After ICE agents raided the Tar Heel, NC plant and arrested 21 illegal alien workers, 500 workers with fake Social Security numbers were promptly fired from the factory. Another raid in August 2007, netted 28 more illegal aliens, all were from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

—————————–

No criminal charges were filed against Krispy Kreme or the illegal aliens.

The company agreed to the fine as part of a settlement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The settlement came after federal officials filed a “notice to fine” against the company. 

Source