50 workers arrested in immigration raid at Utah County business (Salt Lake Tribune)

"Wendy Castañeda of Provo becomes emotional Thursday as she tries to figure out where her husband is following an immigration raid in Lindon. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Thursday morning raided the Universal Industrial Sales steel business in Lindon, where they arrested 50 people following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office. (Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune)"

50 workers arrested in immigration raid at Utah County business

By Russ Rizzo and Jennifer W. Sanchez

LINDON -- Fifty workers at a Utah County metal factory were arrested this morning during a surprise immigration raid. That comprises half of the employees at Universal Industrial Sales in Lindon, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, which today released previously sealed indictments charging the company and its human resource manager with harboring illegal aliens. About 100 Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed up unannounced at the company's warehouses about 8 a.m. and began arresting workers, said ICE spokesman Tim Counts. By 11 a.m., agents had arrested 50 people, according to the Department of Justice.

The company produces metal highway signs and guard rails. Company officials are cooperating with the investigation, Counts said. Managers could not immediately reached for comment. Workers found to be in the country illegally were taken taken by van to the Provo ICE office to be processed. But Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for Utah, said there were no arrest warrants issued for the workers and none were booked into jail, though they were to receive orders to appear at hearings in front of a federal immigration judge.

The human resource manager, Alejandro Urrutia-Garcia, made his initial court appearance Thursday afternoon and pleaded not guilty. He faces up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine on each count. Urrutia-Garcia was released from government custody but must appear in court for a hearing next week. A four-day trial is set to begin April 14.

Relatives drove around the company's building and stopped to ask officials questions about the people they knew who might have been arrested. One man said he started getting phone calls about 8 a.m. from friends who worked at Universal and said an immigration raid was happening.

The company, housed in a large red building, sits in an industrial area amid open fields in Lindon, a small town located between Pleasant Grove and Orem.

ICE agents this morning contacted the Utah Health and Human Rights project and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services to help take care of children who may be left home alone following the raid, Counts said.

"Everyone will have the opportunity to make other arrangements to makes sure there is another parent or responsible adult to take care of their children," Counts said.

Anyone wanting information on Universal Industrial Sales workers who may be affected is asked to call an ICE hotline: 1-866-341-3858.

The indictment against the company covers the years 2003 through 2006. If found guilty, the company could be fined either $500,000 or twice the amount gained by using undocumented workers, according to the Department of Justice.

A community meeting for relatives of those arrested in the raid is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at St. Francis Catholic Church in Orem, 65 East 500 N.