HOUSTON (AP) — Five people have been charged with conspiracy to encourage others to live and work in the country illegally.
United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced Wednesday that four residents of Houston and one person from Puerto Rico were arrested in connection with the 13-count indictment.
The indictment alleges the four U.S. citizens conspired to hire manual laborers with little or no regard to their legal status while they were employed at a waste disposal company that was not named in the indictment.
The indictment claims the defendants and their co-conspirators failed to take corrective measures to ensure the hired workers were authorized to work in the U.S. They are also accused of encouraging workers to use false documentation, identities and employment documents.
The defendants could each face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 if convicted.