ICE Raids Odessa Construction Site 9/24/08 (KOSA-West Texas)

ICE Raids Odessa Construction Site 9/24/08

Eddie Garcia
CBS 7 News
September 24, 2008

Odessa, Texas - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest 17 sub-contractors at an Odessa luxury apartment construction site.

Investigators say none of the men could show valid proof that they crossed the border legally.

The raid happened at the Dorado Ranch apartments Wednesday morning.

Were told that 15 of these men are from Mexico and the other two are from Nicaragua; right now they're being held and questioned by ice agents.

Only CBS 7 cameras were rolling as ICE raided the Dorado Ranch.

ICE spokesperson Leticia Zamarripa said: "It appears now that all of these individuals entered the country illegally."

A background check is done on each of the men to see if they've been convicted of a crime while on US soil.

Zamarripa said: "If they have no criminal record they will more than likely be removed from the country."

ICE officials believe they know how these men got to the Odessa worksite.

"Several out of town contractors hired these individuals to do a variety of different jobs."

Zamarripa says ICE does not want to send the wrong signal to immigrants who are here legally.

"If they have the proper documents to live here and work here they have nothing to fear," Zamarripa said.

She gives a stern warning to those who are breaking the law.

"ICE is aggressively pursuing this type of investigation and don't be surprised if our special agents come knocking at your door."

Apartment management had no comment on Wednesday’s raid. At this point it's not known how these arrests will affect construction.