Federal Agents Raid Oregon Business Over Illegal Immigrants

The company could not comment until federal investigators provide more information.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Federal agents raided the offices of a Portland food processing plant Tuesday, over suspicions that the company hires and employs hundreds of illegal aliens.

It is reported that around 175 workers were taken into custody over suspicion of illegal immigration. They will be processed for possible deportation.

Three of those who were detained reportedly also face ID theft. immigration and illegal document charges, immigration officials said. They are alleged to have ties with the illegal use of Social Security numbers that bwere stolen or forged altogether.

The Associated Press reports that the raids drew fire from Portland Mayor Tom Potter. He says he is OK with the three arrests of wanted people but told reporters, "to go after local workers who are here to support their families while filling the demands of local businesses for their labor is bad policy."

The detained workers will be at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Wash. They will appear in front of an immigration judge.

For now, more than 30 of the people taken into custody have been released over humanitarian concerns federal officials say, with a notice to appear.

Leigh Winchell, a special federal agent with Immigrations and Customs, said he sympathized with the mayor and felt sorry for the families affected by the raid.

"We don't always necessarily agree with the laws placed in front of us," he said. "I don't make the laws. I enforce the laws."

One source says that a check of employee records at the Fresh Del Monte Produce fruit and vegetable processing plant at one point, showed that out of the nearly 600 workers at the Fresh Del Monte Produce fruit and vegetable processing plant, only 48 had valid Social Security numbers.

An official at Fresh Del Monte Produce Co. headquarters in Coral Gables, Fla., told reporters that his company could not comment until federal investigators provide it with more information.

The three people who were indicted were Jose de Jesus Zarazua-Lopez, who agents say re-entered the United States illegally after being convicted of heroin charges and deported to Mexico, Jose Dejesus Buenrostro who is accused of "encouraging an illegal immigrant" and Margarita Amezcua-Salvador, who stands accused of possessing counterfeit alien registration documents, identity theft, selling a Social Security card, and encouraging an illegal immigrant.

Federal officials say the raid was based on an investigation by ICE and the Social Security Administration that began in January.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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maria June 2, 2008 10:41 pm (Pacific time)

no matter what you people say, keep on talking trash. your the ones who make the usa a dumpster look at the pollution. it's stupid, and im so young to know what the truth is and we mexicans we come for a better future and we aint leaving so get it straight with us. all you haters just keep on talking your trash cause you'll just make us famous and all you people who tell us trash look at your street i see most american in shelters and us ok so think before you speak or write down stuff. i dont hate you but i just dont like the way you treat us, so keep on talking your trash just cause you are trash doesnt mean you can make us trash! pleaaz give me a break!

Carrie August 9, 2007 8:46 pm (Pacific time)

I live in Salinas,Ca and if you saw what illegals have done to this city it would disgust you! These people don't care about America at all. They just want the money, cars and houses. And just take a look at how they trash the border and peoples property along the border. Organ Pipe National Forest is almost destroyed because of the carelessness of illegals. It would make you sick! I welcome LEGAL immigrants with open arms, but illegal is illegal! HELLO!

Steve July 19, 2007 3:28 pm (Pacific time)

One plant, in one city. How many more are out there ?

Anonymous June 23, 2007 5:18 pm (Pacific time)

So lucky Portland has a Mayor of illegals and to hell with citizens who might move to his town to get a job. I agree with the idea of putting his social security number into circulation and letting him see how fun it is to have your identity stolen. No one can convince me that only THREE of these people are using fraudulent documents. Time for an update, Salem-News.com.

Wesley Franklin June 13, 2007 8:16 pm (Pacific time)

Immigration by Illegals is a do it yourself project. You must not buy, solicit, utilize, those pro illegal aliens. ie wehirealiens.org No one but you can call your Mayor, Congressmen, Senators, and advise them how you feel. Next Choice 2008 Vote Them Out!

Barbara June 13, 2007 5:14 pm (Pacific time)

According to the news last night, a lot of them were using fake ID and dead people's SSN. Some were also using the SSN of disabled people. Does this stupid mayor have any idea what ID theft does to the victims? Let them have his ID and see how he likes it.

Jeff Richards June 13, 2007 4:40 pm (Pacific time)

Sounds like that area needs to be checked for more illegals. If the Mayor knows about illegals working and living in his city is that breaking the law !! I guess the mayor supports criminals over law abiding American citizens. Support the Minutemen..Check out their website.

richv June 13, 2007 1:22 pm (Pacific time)

i would like to know if mr potter will provide for these families that are left behind, or will the taxpayer continue to PAY?

Denny June 13, 2007 12:37 pm (Pacific time)

I guess when illegal immigrants vote, you get Tom Potter elected. Guess who's on Del Monte's payroll. Leigh Winchell needs to be reminded who signs his check.

robert June 13, 2007 9:14 am (Pacific time)

what is it these officials don't get? take a look at Del Monte's profitability and tell me they can't afford to pay market wages for AMERICAN workers. Sounds like an amnesty-haven community to me by the sounds of the mayor.

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Federal Agents Raid Oregon Business Over Illegal Immigrants

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