Restaurateur to pay fine for hiring illegals
By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published February 8, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
The owner of a chain of popular Chinese restaurants plans to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from employing illegal immigrants.
Louie Li, a naturalized citizen from China, will pay a $150,000 fine to settle the charges, said Dave Gaouette, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver. He will appear in U.S. District Court on March 6.
Li, who remains free on bond, was arrested Dec. 21 on a complaint charging him with unlawfully harboring and transporting aliens.
Li, his wife and sister-in-law own the South Garden restaurant chain, with locations in Denver, Parker and Castle Rock. The restaurants remain open.
Undocumented workers told investigators they worked for lower than minimum wage at the restaurants. They've since been deported to Mexico.
Gaouette said the U.S. attorney agreed to a deal partly because Li had no prior criminal record and because "there were no aggravating circumstances."
"The individuals weren't chained or abused in any way," Gaouette said. "If they had been, we wouldn't have offered this plea.
"He allowed them to come and go, provided them with transportation to and from the restaurant. He gave them time to go, unfortunately illegally, back to Mexico and back here. They could take vacations.
"They weren't mistreated."
Li's lawyer, Michael Axt, said the husband and wife worked long hours in restaurants before saving enough money to start their own.
Li was able to hire legal immigrants, mostly from China, for most of the past 10 years, Axt said. But with a shortage of workers able to travel to the suburbs, Li hired illegal immigrants to work the restaurants in Castle Rock and Parker, he said.
"Mr. Li provided adequate housing at minimal expense for the workers," Axt said.
CBS 4 contributed to this report.
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February 8, 2008
3:05 a.m.
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longpasttime writes:
This is what needs to happen to all employers who hire illegals. If the cost of hiring them is too high, employers will stop hiring them and without work, illegals will return to wherever they came from. Fines should be stiffened and closure threatened for those businesses who repeatedly violate the laws against hiring illegal aliens. We have the laws on the books- enforcement of those laws would go a long way toward solving our illegal alien problems we currently have, along with more stringent border control (both north and south) and fences/walls to keep invaders out. Illegal immigration is a crime. It's long overdue for it to be treated as one!!
February 8, 2008
6:38 a.m.
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Rangerjoe1 writes:
Finally some GOOD NEWS printed about our officials doing there job. Now go after construction sights, gov't officials should protect the american worker from officals compassion for illegals.
Just keep doing your job.
February 8, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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American100 writes:
Too bad they got rid of yesterdays post.
It's really easy to get action from ICE.
Just call 1-866-347-2423. Have the address of the offending establishment or residence.
It only takes a minute.
In AZ & Oklahoma Mexi's are SELF DEPORTING because the public is now involved and the law enforcement is acting upon tips.
Bad news is they aren't all going back to Mexico. They are coming to more lenient states like Colo.
Time to stand up to the Mexican burden.
February 8, 2008
9:36 a.m.
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Darwin writes:
I'm sure the restaurants will soon close since the illegals were "only working jobs that Americans won't".
February 8, 2008
9:57 a.m.
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jgd writes:
All of you people are just a bunch of racist, you blame everything on the illegal immigrates from Mexico, and you just hate them because they are Hispanic. Oops, they were from China? Never mind!!
February 8, 2008
9:57 a.m.
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Chal writes:
OK, they raided ONE company. How about all the construction companies, cleaning services, car washes, Taco Bells, ad nauseum. It seems ICE will do something splashy once a year or so, to show the public they're "doing something."
Start reporting illegals in the workplace as American100 suggests. We need to keep the pressure on ICE and hold them accountable.
February 8, 2008
9:58 a.m.
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American100 writes:
Yea-how'd we ever manage without 'em?
I know, maybe if we all just keep our mouths shut we'll be exactly like Mexico very very soon.
February 8, 2008
10 a.m.
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American100 writes:
The illegals were from Mexico - learn to read (in english) jgd.
February 8, 2008
10:50 a.m.
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Theoldguy writes:
Let's see now....No need to file a state or federal 1040. Housing provided along with transportation. Free to vacation at will. Pull the "No speak English" trick and act dumb (I'll bet they didn't understand Chinese). This may be a better deal beyond the surface.
February 8, 2008
11:09 a.m.
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jgd writes:
American100,
How is that possible the people against illegal immigration are only against it because the illegals are Mexicans. Haven't you been reading the posting? Every time someone speaks out about illegal immigration they are called racist, and Mexican haters. Does that mean they don't like illegal immigration from ALL countries and not just Mexico?
February 8, 2008
11:14 a.m.
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gcrez writes:
I hope all of you out there can survive without the help of cheap labor. I guarantee everyone of you that is complaining have benefited from the cheap and available labor that this state has to offer. If there weren't holes in our system, they wouldn't be here. Of course you love it when your building contractor under bids everyone else because of their illegal labor, and you end up using them because you pay less. This truely represents the "American way", just a bunch of whining hypocrates. Use the illegals, but whatever you do, make sure you complain and don't give them any credit for how much they have helped. Que sera, sera!
February 8, 2008
11:23 a.m.
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crooks46 writes:
Hooray! ICE needs to be rounding up more and more illegals where in the world they from. Twenty-four and seven if necessary. A couple of years ago in the C-Springs area a steel construction company in the area fired all of the Anglo workers and then fired the English-speaking Hispanics so all the previous workers could be replaced with illegals at lower wages. You can bet the company didn't lower their price; they just raised their profit margin.
February 8, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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butch_m writes:
The "cheap labor" argument has been proven false as this only benefits the corporations that exploit them. The American taxpayers are left with the burden of paying for their uninsured healthcare, educating their non-English speaking children, and watching their home values fall as their neighborhoods are tainted by crime.
This needs to be an everyday occurance in Colorado until all immigration is only of the legal variety.
February 8, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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American100 writes:
I'm a building contractor and I am thriving without illegal workers.
They're a liability when dealing with heavy equip. or electrical if they can't speak english fluently.
My quality of work is better than many of my competitors who do use illegals, probably why I'm thriving when many others are going under.
A couple of clients have asked if we hire illegals. People who don't want to contribute in any way to the illegal problem are willing to pay more for quality.
I call ICE on illegal sites, no remorse at all for doing it. Time to level the playing field IN FAVOR of AMERICANS.
February 8, 2008
11:52 a.m.
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hdfresh writes:
Lets see, Mexicans cooking in Chinese restaurants. How authentic is that.
February 8, 2008
noon
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American100 writes:
Let's think forward a bit.
What next? Not only come down hard on illegals and boycott Mexico until they change some policy.
I've never heard anyone else suggest this, but it seems to make sense if we really want to get Mexico to change their long erring ways.
Instead of vacationing in Mexi this year, go elsewhere. From what I understand it's not even inexpensive there anymore.
February 8, 2008
12:27 p.m.
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jgd writes:
American100,
How could you boycott Mexico? The only thing we get from Mexico are illegal immigrates and we have been trying to boycott them for years.
February 8, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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cheddown writes:
Why do you think illegals come to this country? It is the fault of AMERICA that has exploited Latin American countries that has not let them become economically developed. NAFTA has screwed many Latin American countries for the enormous gains of US companies. If you guys went to college and received an education maybe you would not put all the blame on illegal immigrants...
February 8, 2008
12:44 p.m.
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American100 writes:
boy·cott (boikt)
tr.v. boy·cott·ed, boy·cott·ing, boy·cotts
To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion
Stop going there. Don't vaction there. Don't spend money there and don't contribute to Mexico in any way.
February 8, 2008
12:49 p.m.
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Brain writes:
The argument that we need these workers is crap. Just like American100 there are many companies including restaurants that don’t employ illegal immigrants but have to compete with cheaters, they are quality companies and make profits as well.
As far as property tax goes most illegal immigrants from Latin America and Asian countries rent a dwelling that is for a SINGLE FAMILY and move in 2-4 families, again they are not paying their “share” of the taxes for our schools while needing more of the resources available and those that do I have no sympathy for since they are here illegally. Income taxes are not paid by most illegal immigrants 1) they claim enough dependents on their w-2 that none is withheld 2) many of them (maybe most?) work under the table so they or their employer don’t pay payroll taxes such as Medicare/Social Security; and again the ones that do I have no sympathy since they are here illegally. I also pay sales taxes probably more then most illegals and I probably get less services from government since I don’t need many “services” that are available (E.R.s, traffic enforcement, transportation/highways).
Going after employers is the best way to fight illegal immigration we don’t even need any wall/fence if no companies will hire them. A shortage of workers? I thought our economy is bad? How many legal immigrants do we need? An average of about 700,000 legal immigrants per year since 2000 come to the U.S. Is there a country that allows more?
February 8, 2008
12:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Brain writes:
cheddown:
So if I leave my door unlocked to my home then it is my fault that someone stole from it? I wonder what would happen when I see the bank vault open and think that means I can help myself to that money?
February 8, 2008
1:05 p.m.
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cheddown writes:
Brain:
What do you have to say about Latin American dependency theory
February 8, 2008
1:17 p.m.
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American100 writes:
Just keep calling ICE 1-866-347-2423 and if it suits you, boycott Mexico.
I don't give a flying fork about Latan American Dependency THEORY.
REALITY is ILLEGAL ALIENS are a burden to American Society.
February 8, 2008
1:45 p.m.
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cheddown writes:
American100:
Its Latin and of course you dont care you have never gone hungry in your perfect little life. America is a land of immigrants and has been from the beginning.
February 8, 2008
1:57 p.m.
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American100 writes:
Legal contributing immigrants. Immigrants who kiss the ground when they arrive.
Not sneaking, cheating, ungrateful, burdens to society who come here to take without giving.
February 8, 2008
2:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
cheddown writes:
Legal in the way that they stole the land from native americans and relocated them to infertile, useless lands that greedy Americans did not want. Or legal in the way that they waged war against Mexico for not wanting to sell their land to begin with.
February 8, 2008
2:34 p.m.
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American100 writes:
Sniffle sniffle. Excuse me while I get a tissue. Boohooohooo.
People can immigrate here legally Cheddown, if they want to, even from Mexico. Illegals make it hard on Hispanics straight across the board.
They're bad for everyone.
If you're so fond of living with 'em, move to Mexico.
In answer to Brain's post, if Cheddown is around you'd better lock up. He is of the opinion that if he needs it and you have it, it's his to take.
February 8, 2008
3:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
justme1977 writes:
I have an idea if you don't want them here why don't you go out and do the jobs that they are being hired for? Oh thats right, "americans" are above the manual labor force. You would rather sit at home and collect welfare instead of going out and making some kind of honest living. And then complain that there are too many "illegals" in this country. Lets not forget that this country (with the exception of the native americans that were already here) was founded on immigration. Go to Ellis Island in NYC and I bet that all of you will find some one in your bloodline on the wall that they have that lists everyone that passed through there. Stop being so ignorant.
February 8, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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cheddown writes:
American100:
By your comments I can deduce you are an ignorant moron. I have never stolen a thing in my life.
February 8, 2008
4:06 p.m.
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American100 writes:
Thanks for the motivation. I just called ICE on that MexDonalds on the corner of...
February 8, 2008
9:31 p.m.
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ElGordo writes:
How is it that our unemployment rate is so high, yet it is really easy for an illegal to get a job?
February 8, 2008
10:06 p.m.
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American100 writes:
unscrupulous employers.
February 8, 2008
10:44 p.m.
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ElGordo writes:
Or inept legal workers?
February 9, 2008
8:55 a.m.
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American100 writes:
Nope, it's unscrupulous employers. Most illegals are illiterate.
February 9, 2008
8:59 a.m.
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Barron writes:
Sounds like a pretty selective raid. There are illegal immigrants working in almost every restaurant, yet they single out some Chinese immigrants to go raid. Go figure.