Nearly 50 illegal immigrants working as security guards arrested

Nearly 50 illegal immigrants working as security guards arrested
© 2008 The Associated Press
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DALLAS — A task force led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested nearly 50 illegal immigrants in weekend raids of mostly Latino night clubs in Dallas, officials said Sunday.

Authorities raided 26 businesses, including night clubs, restaurants and pool halls. They were targeting employees working as security guards for two security companies, which officials declined to identify.

Law enforcement teams of local, state and federal officials simultaneously hit the 26 businesses around 11 p.m. Saturday and arrested 49 people. They recovered four pistols.

Those arrested will faces charges of being in the United States illegally. Federal law also prohibits illegal immigrants from possessing weapons.

Four people arrested were from El Salvador and the rest were from Mexico, officials said. One of the Salvadorans arrested was a legal immigrant, and it is unclear whether he will face any charges.

"Hopefully, this operation will help us send a message that we will not tolerate the falsification of documents for undocumented aliens under the guise of providing security," Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins said.

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Information from The Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com

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