Houston-based IFCO has agreed to pay $20.7 million in civil forfeitures and penalties over the next four years for employing an estimated 6,000 illegal aliens at IFCO plants. IFCO is the largest wooden pallet management services company in the United States.
The government began its investigation of IFCO after Immigration and Customs Enforcement received a tip in February 2005. In April 2006, ICE conducted a work site enforcement action at more than 40 IFCO plants in 26 states, resulting in the apprehension of 1,182 illegal aliens. The United States Attorney's Office prosecuted IFCO managers and employees for the hiring of illegal aliens.
The investigation found that several IFCO managers and employees harbored and transported illegal aliens and encouraged and induced them to remain in the United States as pallet workers. The investigation further found that at 30 of IFCO's plants, back wages were due under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
As part of the agreement, IFCO acknowledged all wrongdoings by management and employees and agreed to a compliance and reporting program. The company will begin using the Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify for all new workers and will verify all current employees through the Social Security Administration.
More on this story can be found at the ICE website.
