Federal worker, accomplices indicted in immigration scam (DHS trainee)

AP ^ | December 24th, 2003

[Sabertooth]

Federal worker, accomplices indicted in immigration scam

The Associated Press

MIAMI --

A grand jury indicted a federal immigration worker and two community "recruiters" on charges they concocted a scheme to sell phony work permits - costing a minimum of $5,500 apiece - to more than 200 illegal immigrants.

Isidro Guerrero Fernandez, 32, of Miami, used his position at the Citizenship and Immigration Service building to sell hundreds of work permit cards, according to the indictment released Monday,

He and his alleged accomplices, Miguel Raggio, 50, and Vivian Ciarrochi, 38, both of Miami, were charged with conspiring to transfer identification documents, unlawfully obtaining the documents and soliciting and accepting bribes while being a public official.

Through forfeiture proceedings, the government plans to take items bought with the estimated $1 million made by the trio. The items include Guerrero's 2002 Lexus ES300 and a sailboat owned by Raggio called "Iniquity."

The three were arrested in November.

Guerrero was responsible for issuing the cards, "taking photographs, laminating cards and performing related duties," according to the indictment.

The five-year employee was arrested Nov. 13, while in Glynco, Ga., where he was training to become a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security.

Jeffrey Feiler, Guerrero's attorney, did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday. There was no information on lawyers for the other two men.

Investigators said they were first tipped off about the case in September. They said Guerrero worked as the inside man while Raggio and Ciarrochi recruited illegal immigrants to buy the permits.

The permits, called employment authorization documents, provide evidence to employers that an immigrant is here legally and is allowed to work in the United States. Authorities said the trio offered to obtain the work permits for $5,500 to $12,000. The permits typically cost about $110.

Investigators said more than 200 immigrants, mostly from Central and South America, bought the bogus permits. Raggio eventually cooperated with federal agents and helped tape a telephone conversation with Guerrero, where he told Guerrero he had collected $16,000 and would be collecting more from another group.

Officials said the investigation was ongoing and it was not known what would happen to those who bought the permits.

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[Sabertooth]

Isidro Guerrero Fernandez, 32, of Miami, used his position at the Citizenship and Immigration Service building to sell hundreds of work permit cards, according to the indictment released Monday,

< -snip- >

The five-year employee was arrested Nov. 13, while in Glynco, Ga., where he was training to become a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security

The only difference between Isidro Guerrero Fernandez and Tom Ridge is that Guerrero is a small-timer, and an entrepeneur.

[Sabertooth]

This is a turf war.

Politicians don't like it when anyone else undermines our immigration laws.

[stopem]

What's interesting and I would say that the GOP needs to take note and notice that any articles dealing with immigration, illegal aliens and the like get tons of posts responding.

This is truly a sore subject with all of us.

I would say to our President, Mr Bush, please take notice that we are legal citizens and we vote to. So Please stop trying to get the votes of illegal's.

[perfect stranger]

"..a scheme to sell phony work permits - costing a minimum of $5,500 apiece.......The permits (legal, real ones) typically cost about $110.".

Throw the book at him several times then make him read it. He's taking advantage of their ignorance and fears. Let's hope he starts to understand some "fear" pretty soon. He's already familiar with the former, that much is obvious from his behavior.

[texastoo]

This is another reason we don't need to legalize the illegals. Mexico has also sold fake IDs through the American consulate. The people who paid for them were well aware that they were breaking another law.

It is way past time to clean this mess up and ship the illegals out of here.

It doesn't look like our government has done back ground checks on their own employees.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Setting the fox to guard the chickens!

[csvset]

They should be shot. Just my cents worth.

[Travis McGee]

Tip of the iceberg.

(Aprenda Espanol hoy, evite la prisa manana.)

[dennisw]

This happens all the time. Legal immigrants are often involved in scams and criminal rackets where they profit off illegal immigrants. Where they exploit their fellow countrymen who are illegal and "fresh off the boat".

[AmericanVictory]

Agree; the Miami office of the old INS was a cesspool of corruption. Much of this is fueled by the "I spikka the language," immigration specialized attorneys.

[sarcasm]

It doesn't look like our government has done back ground checks on their own employees.

I recall reading that the Clinton administration outsourced these investigations.

[Regulator]

I recall reading that the Clinton administration outsourced these investigations

To the Mexican government? Probably the same investigations agency that they plan to use for the safe, secure, gold-plated Matricula Consular. All for just $29. In cash.

[Pelham]

Lol. Sad, but true. Treason and Treachery over immigration is the bailiwick of our Highest Elected Officials, and interlopers will be prosecuted.

[Pelham]

I would say to our President, Mr Bush, please take notice that we are legal citizens and we vote to. So Please stop trying to get the votes of illegal's.

He's solved that problem. He's going to make them all citizens, too.