A federal judge has suggested that when two men used false Social Security cards to gain employment at the local Pilgrim’s Pride plant, they might not have technically broken the law.
Juan Luis Dardon-Canelo and Andres Loarca-Reynoso, along with three others, are being criminally prosecuted in the wake of a large immigration raid in April. Today, they were set to plead guilty to using an illegal identification document — a Social Security card — to gain work at Pilgrim’s Pride.
U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice’s revelation that Social Security cards are not necessarily valid forms of identification, however, sent the defense back to the drawing board with no complaints from the federal government.
Judge Mattice recalled a 2003 case in which the government prosecuted Tyson Foods for hiring illegal immigrants. In that case, U.S. District Judge R. Allan Edgar dismissed certain charges with regard to the use of a Social Security card, ruling that a certain section of U.S. immigration law does not list the document as a valid form of I.D.
“This is an issue that will have to be decided by a higher court,” Judge Mattice said. “I’m not sure you can base this charge on a false Social Security card.”
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for complete coverage.
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Video: Illegal workers still in custodyA federal judge has suggested that when two men used false Social Security cards to gain employment at the local Pilgrim’s Pride plant, they might not have technically broken the law. <br> Juan Luis Dardon-Canelo and Andres Loarca-Reynoso, along with three others, are being criminally prosecuted in the wake of a large immigration raid in April. Today, they were set to plead guilty to using an illegal identification document — a Social Security card — to gain work at Pilgrim’s Pride. <br> U.S. District Judge Harry S. Mattice’s revelation that Social Security cards are not necessarily valid forms of identification, however, sent the defense back to the drawing board with no complaints from the federal government. <br> In the video, suspects leave the federal courthouse in Chattanooga on Monday to be transported back to the Bradley County jail, where they are being held as federal prisoners.
So why can't they charge them with identity theft or tax evasion?!
I am hopeful that what the judge is saying, is that Pilgrim’s Pride is liable, for the employment of these men, without validating their SS numbers, using DHS's E-Verify system.
It would be good to really hang the employer out to dry with an immense fine!!
Make an example of them!! Put the fear of God into all other employers!!
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