Hotel Fined for Employing Illegal Aliens

The Immigration and Naturalization Service, issuing its first sanction under the new immigration law, fined a Northern Virginia hotel $16,500 Friday for employing 11 undocumented aliens.

INS spokesman Duke Austin, announcing the first fine imposed under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, said the fine was the precursor of more to come nationwide.

“Oh yes, we expect that there will be additional fines issued around the country,” Austin said. “This action demonstrates clearly that the government intends to enforce the provisions of the law.”

The INS, which began warning employers of impending fines in July, notified the Quality Hotel in Arlington, Va., of the action Friday. A spokesman for the hotel’s chain, Quality Inn Inc., was not available for comment.

Austin said the company was fined $16,500 for “continuing to knowingly employ 11 undocumented aliens.” The fine was $1,000 per worker for continuing to employ them, and $500 per worker for the company’s failure to complete the necessary paper work.