ICE Focuses on Employer Immigration Violations

By Shomial Ahmad

Atlanta, GA – Georgia ranks sixth in terms of the number of illegal immigrants living in the state, according to a federal report. Immigration officials say they're cracking down on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. WABE's Shomial Ahmad reports.

Nearly a half million illegal immigrants live in Georgia, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report. That's more than Arizona.

Barbara Gonzalez is a spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She says the agency is focusing on targeted enforcement.

"We feel that it's smarter to focus on employers, which are part of the magnet for illegal immigration."

Nationally, Gonzalez says the percentage of managers arrested has gone up in the last couple of years. Last fiscal year, they arrested 114. This fiscal year, they've already arrested 152. She says employers can face fines, debarment and possible jail time.