Feds Arrest 595 in Immigration Raid at Employer

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested 595 individuals this week at Howard Industries, Inc., in Laurel, Mississippi, after executing a federal criminal search warrant and a civil search warrant.

The criminal search warrant was for evidence relating to aggravated identity theft, fraudulent use of Social Security numbers, and other alleged crimes. The civil search warrant was as for individuals illegally in the United States.

Of the approximately 595 individuals accused of being illegal aliens, approximately 106 were identified as being eligible for an alternative to detention based on humanitarian reasons. These individuals will still be required to appear before a federal immigration judge who will ultimately determine whether or not they will be deported.

Eight criminal cases have been accepted for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. The criminal cases are focused on charges of aggravated identity theft. The other cases are being handled via administrative law procedures at the Department of Homeland Security.

Prosecutors say that the eight cases being criminally prosecuted are for separate identity theft charges.

Approximately 475 individuals were transported to an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana, where they will await the outcome of their case. The eight individuals facing criminal charges are in the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Service.

Howard Industries manufactures electric transformers and transportation equipment.