Originally published on April 25, 2006 in the Client Alert on Immigration
On April 19, 2006, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested seven current and former managers of IFCO Systems North America, Inc. ("IFCO"), the largest pallet services company in the United States. These individuals have been charged with conspiring to transport, harbor, and encourage and induce illegal aliens to reside in the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain, in violation of Title 8, USC Section 1324(a). The conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each alien with respect to whom the violation takes place. Two other IFCO employees were arrested on criminal charges relating to fraudulent documents. In addition to the criminal arrests, ICE agents also conducted "consent" searches or executed criminal search warrants at more than 40 IFCO plants and related locations in 26 states that resulted in the
