Francesco Insolia, President of Michael Blanco, Inc has pleaded guilty to knowingly hiring more than 300 illegal immigrants.  Insolia was facing more than 10 years in prison and $600,000 in fines, but due to a plea agreement he will spend up to 18 months in prison and pay a fine of $30,000.  The company will have to pay nearly $2 million in fines and restitution to employees.  Of the more than 300 illegal immigrants arrested at the company, 168 were deported, 116 are waiting for their case to be heard or in the appeal process, 26 are under a final removal order, and 16 "were granted either a benefit or a relief from the immigration court.” 

     I'm glad Francesco Insolia is going to prison, but I'm not happy there was a plea bargain.  I would have prefered to see him serve more time and have a larger fine.  After all, illegal immigration wouldn't be as much of a problem if it weren't for people like Francesco Insolia.  This quote sums it up perfectly:


“Employers who knowingly hire an illegal work force exploit illegal aliens, take jobs away from legal workers and gain an unfair advantage over their competitors,” said Julie L. Myers, Homeland Security assistant secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “It is not OK for business owners to line their pockets by breaking the law. The pleas today reflect the type of employer ICE targets during our worksite enforcement investigations.” 


     Even more troubling is that Michael Blanco, Inc had contracts from the federal government to make survival gear for U.S. soldiers.  Hopefully, this case will send a message to illegal immigrants and the greedy businesses who hire them.


http://www.projo.com/news/content/BIANCO_PLEA_4_11-04-08_47C5BQ3_v52.3b97222.html