INS Agents Arrest 15 Aliens, Fine Employers

A score of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service agents descended on Avalon Thursday and arrested 15 undocumented immigrants working as day laborers on Santa Catalina Island, authorities said.

John Brechtel, assistant district director for INS investigations, said the owners of two Avalon businesses also were formally advised of the federal government’s intentions to fine them for allegedly “continuing to employ individuals known to be illegal.”

Brechtel said that Jim Lehr, owner of the Busy Bee restaurant, was notified that he faces a fine of $2,450. A notice of a $1,000 fine was served on Jose Moises Gonzales and Maria Estela Gonzales, who employ 11 workers at Mi Casita, Brechtel said. Thirteen undocumented workers were nabbed by agents in a similar Avalon raid conducted in late May.