El Cajon Waterbed Firm Faces $6,000 Fine Over Illegals
In what officials said was the first such action in California, an El Cajon waterbed manufacturer was notified Friday that the federal government intends to fine it $6,000 for knowingly hiring illegal aliens in violation of the new federal immigration law.
Mester Manufacturing, which employs about 100 workers, was cited after Border Patrol agents said they made four separate visits since July to the plant to explain the new law and to warn the company that it was in violation.
“This is a very significant day for us,” said Harold Ezell, western regional commissioner for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
“Today’s case gives a signal to employers that this law is not a paper tiger. . . . Now there are three things certain in life: Death, taxes and that the INS is going to keep coming around.”
Agents also apprehended 27 workers at the Mester plant that were believed to be illegal aliens. Those workers will be returned to Mexico, officials said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
