CHICAGO (STNG) -- (WHITING, Ind.) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 15 illegal aliens Wednesday working at the BP Whiting oil refinery in northwest Indiana.
The arrests at the Whiting plant are the result of a two-year critical infrastructure worksite enforcement investigation, according to a release from ICE.
ICE initiated the investigation after receiving information that illegal aliens were being contracted by an Illinois company to work at the refinery, and that they had access to secure areas of the plant, the release said. ICE identifies refineries as critical infrastructure vulnerable to sabotage, attack or exploitation.
The workers arrested on administrative immigration charges -- 11 women and four men -- were employed by United Building Maintenance of Carol Stream, the release said. They performed janitorial duties at the BP refinery.
Of those arrested, 14 are from Mexico and one from Guatemala, the release said. All were taken into ICE custody to be placed into deportation proceedings.
ICE does not release the names of individuals arrested on administrative immigration charges, but the cases will be reviewed for possible criminal charges by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.
As part of this investigation, ICE arrested two former UBM employees earlier this year after they were discovered working illegally at the BP refinery, the release said. Herminia Najera-Flores and Ramon Aviles-Cano, both illegal aliens from Mexico, are currently facing criminal prosecution and will then be turned over for deportation.
“There is a serious public safety concern when illegal aliens, who are not authorized to work in the country legally, are working in secure areas of one of our nation’s largest oil refineries,” Gary Hartwig, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago, said in the release.
"While there is no reason to believe that these individuals had ill intent against our country, their illegal status represents a significant vulnerability in our national security. ICE will continue to partner with critical infrastructure facilities and ensure they have a legal workforce.”
BP Corporate Security has been fully cooperative in the investigation, the release said.
Copyright 2008 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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