Ezell Issues Caution on Illegals

FRESNO — Regional Immigration Commissioner Harold Ezell warned farmers today to be careful not to hire illegal aliens now that the deadline to file for amnesty has passed.

Ezell noted that 34,000 people applied for amnesty under the Special Agricultural Worker program in the western region on Wednesday alone, the last day applications could be filed. Now, growers must be diligent in examining documents of people they hire and completing the required federal Form I-9, Ezell said at a press conference in Fresno’s Federal Building. He said failure to comply with these rules could result in fines ranging from $250 for a first infraction up to $10,000 for repeated offenses or six months in jail.