COOPERSVILLE, Mich. - Eighteen employees of a Michigan-based woodworking business were arrested for being unlawfully present in the U.S.

 

Immigration officials from multiple agencies served a federal search warrant at Demeester Wood Products, arresting 13 employees from Guatemala and five from Mexico. All of the arrested employees are men aged 20-43.

 

ARTICLE Railroad sues over millions of defective railroad ties One of the largest railroads in the U.S. says it must replace millions of wooden railroad ties under its tracks, claiming they’re degrading at a faster rate than expected.

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The 18 employees will all face administrative immigration violations, and six may face federal felony charges for re-entry after deportation.

A company official declined to comment to MichiganLive News, saying that he was "trying to digest everything right now."

 

Homeland Security led the investigation, which also included the U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.