A business in western Iowa was the focus of a raid by federal immigration agents Wednesday. Tim Counts, a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, says the raid took place at American Clothing Company in Council Bluffs.
"We ended up arresting 16 illegal aliens. They are currently being processed. They will have an opportunity for a hearing before a federal immigration judge, who will make the final determination as to whether they are to be deported," Counts said. The 11 women and five men were employees of the clothing recycling business.
"Based on past experience, we expect that many, if not all of the people arrested, will end up being deported, because they have no legal right to remain in the country," Counts said. Fourteen of the undocumented workers are believed to be from Mexico, while two are from El Salvador.
Counts says agents had been investigating the business for several months. He says it appears American Clothing officials were "duped" by fraudulent documents and, for now, the business does not face any charges.