ICE officers detained more than 30 undocumented workers at construction sites in Sumter County, just outside of Orlando, Tuesday, including several at The Villages, according to a new video released by Tampa’s Homeland Security. The footage shows an officer beckoning a worker on a rooftop to come down, multiple people in handcuffs and one person getting fingerprinted. Those arrested included people from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Four of the individuals detained were charged with illegally returning after previously being deported.
“It is a federal offense to try to get back into the country,” said Alan Rivas, an immigration attorney in Orlando. “Eventually it becomes a permanent bar. You cannot apply for any type of waivers.”
According to Rivas, those who employ undocumented workers in Florida are also subject to sanctions.
“The second time, it does become a second-degree misdemeanor, and that can carry up the $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail,” said Rivas.
He also mentioned that one of the state’s toughest obstacles to prosecuting employers is proving whether a company knowingly employs someone without work authorization. He added that undocumented migrant workers are frequently seen on Florida construction sites.
