Human Trafficking and Immigration Crimes: McAllen Man Arrested for Illegally Hiring and Employing Undocumented Aliens

Strategic Insights -

A 39-year-old Mexican national, Juan Ramirez Cortez, has been arrested and charged with hiring and employing more than a dozen undocumented aliens without authority to be in the country. Cortez, the manager of Ole Taco in Mission, Texas, allegedly hired at least 10 individuals with fake immigration documents, sparking a federal investigation that led to the arrest of 17 other undocumented aliens. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas announced the charges, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison if convicted.

Key Takeaways:

  • Juan Ramirez Cortez, a 39-year-old Mexican national, has been arrested on charges of illegally hiring, employing, and harboring undocumented aliens without authority to be in the country.
  • Cortez, as the manager of Ole Taco in Mission, Texas, allegedly hired and fired employees, filled out employment paperwork, and checked immigration documents, including at least 10 individuals with fake immigration documents.
  • An enforcement action conducted by the FBI, with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, led to the arrest of 17 other undocumented aliens.
  • Cortez is scheduled for a preliminary and detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis on July 15 and remains in custody pending the hearing.
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Storey Lyles is prosecuting the case, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison if convicted.

Statistics:

  • 10: The minimum number of undocumented aliens allegedly hired by Cortez with fake immigration documents.
  • 17: The number of undocumented aliens arrested as part of the enforcement action.
  • 5: The maximum number of years in federal prison Cortez faces if convicted of the charges.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas
  • FBI
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations
  • ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations
  • Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Storey Lyles