Hackett did not break law, feds say

Republican congressional candidate Chris Hackett did not break the law by failing to notify federal authorities that his housekeeper was in the country illegally, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency spokesman.

Hackett said he fired his housekeeper after learning the woman was an illegal immigrant. He didn’t notify the authorities because, he said, he didn’t feel he was required to do that.

While it’s not a legal requirement, the ICE welcomes information on people who are in the country illegally, according to Michael Gilhooley, director of communications for the northeast region of ICE in Vermont. He said there are no laws requiring a citizen or an employer to report an illegal immigrant to the federal agency.

“That being said, we certainly would take information on any individual who is suspected to be an illegal alien,” Gilhooley said. “We would like to have some viable law enforcement information on the person or persons too. But we are always interested in information on people who are here illegally.”

Hackett and his GOP opponent, Dan Meuser, have been involved in a back-and-forth exchange on the issue of illegal immigration. The two men are vying to challenge 10th District Democratic Congressman Chris Carney in November.

Meuser’s company, Pride Mobility Products, paid a $23,000 settlement to the federal government 12 years ago for hiring illegal aliens.

Hackett’s business – One Source Staffing -- received calls from police about individuals whose names did not match their Social Security numbers after those people had left his firm. Hackett acknowledged the company “probably hired” some people who gave false identification and may have been illegal immigrants. Hackett said those hirings were done “unknowingly.”

Hackett maintains he did not know the woman who was doing housework in his residence was an illegal immigrant. He said he fired her when he found out.

Hackett campaign spokesman Mark Harris said the employee was a “sporadic household worker” whom Hackett barely knew.

“She disclosed her immigration status, and from a legal perspective, Chris did exactly what he was supposed to do, which was to stop employing her when he found out she was in the country illegally,” Harris said. “From a humanitarian perspective, he did not feel the need to turn her in to the police. This is completely consistent with Chris’ immigration policy position that strongly supports tighter border security and sanctions against employers who knowingly hire illegals.”

Hackett believes the job of policing illegal immigrants lies with law enforcement, Harris said.

“…Chris does not favor turning homeowners into law enforcement agents who have to monitor and enforce the legal status of an occasional house painter, lawn service worker, or babysitter they might hire,” he said.

Meuser campaign spokesman Eric Wallace said Hackett’s actions raise questions.

“The pattern of hypocrisy that Chris Hackett has displayed in his negative campaign, attacking Dan (Meuser) for an isolated incident 13 years ago, while at the same time employing an illegal alien in his own home and not releasing her last name, undoubtedly leaves voters questioning his judgment,” Wallace said.

In Hazleton, where illegal immigration has been a central issue, police take a different approach when an illegal alien is discovered. Hazleton Police Detective Chris Orozco said the city doesn’t use a catch-and-release system.

“Typically, they are run through NCIC (National Crime Information Computer) to check if there are any outstanding warrants for their arrest,” Orozco said. “We also access the ICE screen and input all identifying information and wait for a response.”

Oroczo said ICE will determine the person’s status and if the individual is in the system, ICE orders Hazleton police to detain them. The individual could be taken to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility to await transfer to an ICE facility, he said.

Ernestine Fobbs of ICE said the federal agency encourages prompt reporting of any known or suspected violations of immigration laws. ICE provides tools to assist employers, including training, handbooks and suggested employment practices.