Local News

45 Illegal Immigrants Arrested In Anne Arundel Co.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ― Nearly four dozen people remain in federal custody after one of the biggest illegal immigration busts in Maryland in recent years.

Mary Bubala reports it happened early Monday morning in Annapolis.

Federal warrants describe an operation designed to recruit, transport, employ and house illegal immigrants.

They were taken away in handcuffs for pre-arranged deportation hearings.  Forty-five illegal immigrants were arrested while starting their work day at Annapolis Painting Services, an apparent state contractor owned and operated by Robert Bontempo.

State police raided 16 houses in search of illegal aliens who have been living here while working for Annapolis Painting.

Casa de Maryland responded to the raid with a promise to protest.

"We had our community members calling us, seeking assistance in finding out where their family members were," said Himedas Chicas.

Federal affidavits obtained by Eyewitness News show Bontempo owned 16 homes where illegal immigrants are encouraged to rent rooms at a third of their weekly salary.

Those affidavits also outline Bontempo's alleged practice of recruiting illegals from Latin and South America, transporting them to Maryland and taking a third of their pay for future taxes.  Between rent and taxes, each worker was paying two-thirds of their salary to live and work in Maryland.

Eyewitness News also learned Annapolis Painting did coveted work in the governor's mansion and on the State House.

"You hear they had federal and state contracts and that's my tax money going to pay these illegal workers," said neighbor Nolan Henson.

So far, Bontempo has not been charged with any crime.  His company is also accused of providing workers with invalid Social Security numbers.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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