Federal worksite enforcement operation in Cayuga County results in five criminal arrests and 52 individuals detained pending immigration proceedings

Syracuse, New York – Federal authorities in Upstate New York announced a major enforcement action that has resulted in dozens of detentions and several criminal charges. On September 4, law enforcement officers carried out a worksite enforcement operation at a location in Cayuga County, taking 57 individuals into custody for immigration-related violations. The case marks one of the most significant worksite actions in the region in recent years and has drawn the attention of multiple federal and local agencies.

According to officials, five of the individuals arrested face federal criminal charges after being accused of reentering the United States illegally following prior deportations. The remaining 52 were detained administratively and are now awaiting immigration proceedings. Authorities say the coordinated operation was designed not only to address immigration violations but also to examine whether businesses in the area are following federal labor and employment laws.

The individuals charged by federal criminal complaint include Alex Ben Chipin, also known by several aliases including Alex Ben-Chiping, Alex Bing-Chiping, and Antonio Lopez-Mendez, a 39-year-old from Guatemala; Argentina Juarez-Lopez, age 50, of Guatemala; Luis Jom-Morales, age 27, of Guatemala; Gregorio Baldemar Ramirez-Perez, age 45, of Guatemala; and Francisco Salvardo-Mora, age 22, of Mexico. Each case is being prosecuted separately, and all five defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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“These defendants face charges arising out of one of the largest worksite enforcement actions in recent history,” said Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Employers across the Northern District of New York must understand that they risk criminal investigation if they are employing non-citizens who are not authorized to work in the United States. Across Upstate and Central New York, there are hard-working Americans in need of well-paying jobs, especially in Cayuga County where unemployment is relatively high. Our worksite enforcement actions will ensure that those jobs go to people who are authorized to work in the United States, and not to aliens who illegally re-enter our country after prior deportations.”

Sarcone noted that his office is paying close attention to the role of employers, emphasizing that businesses hiring individuals without authorization could also face scrutiny. He framed the operation as part of a broader effort to ensure fairness in the job market at a time when many local residents are struggling with economic challenges.

The investigation is being led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from a number of supporting agencies. These include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Marshals Service, and sheriff’s offices in Oswego and Madison counties. The wide range of agencies involved reflects the complexity of worksite enforcement cases, which often combine immigration issues with financial and labor law concerns.

“Today’s announcement underscores the continued coordination of law enforcement partners with the goal of uncovering possibly dangerous or abusive business practices and, in turn, protecting the public from labor exploitation,” said Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Buffalo Field Office. “While this continues to be an active and ongoing criminal investigation, HSI remains committed to protecting the rights of workers and upholding U.S. laws, including by identifying and addressing exploitation in the workplace, ensuring compliance with labor and immigration laws, and safeguarding the integrity of our nation’s workforce.”

Keegan’s statement highlights another key element of the enforcement action: the protection of workers who may be vulnerable to exploitation when they lack legal work authorization. Federal officials said the investigation will continue in the coming weeks, with potential attention turning toward the employer or employers who hired the detained individuals.

Harry T. Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation in New York, emphasized the financial side of such operations. “IRS-CI has a long history of collaborating with our law enforcement partners, and worksite enforcement operations are no different. Businesses are expected to apply good employment practices in hiring their workforce in accordance with U.S. laws and reporting payroll and other related financials appropriately. IRS-CI will continue to use their financial expertise in furthering these types of investigations.”

If convicted of the current charges, the five defendants could each face up to two years in prison, fines of as much as $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release. Sentences in such cases are determined by a judge, who will weigh the specific charges, sentencing guidelines, and other factors before making a final determination.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry has been assigned to prosecute the cases. Authorities stress that the charges remain accusations at this stage, and no findings of guilt have been made.

For Cayuga County, the operation is likely to spark conversation about the balance between enforcement and economic need. Agriculture, construction, and other labor-intensive industries across Upstate New York have long relied on immigrant workers, some of whom lack legal authorization. Federal officials argue that allowing such practices to continue unchecked disadvantages American workers and creates opportunities for exploitation. Critics, however, have sometimes questioned whether enforcement actions of this scale disrupt local businesses and communities without providing long-term solutions.

What is clear from Wednesday’s announcement is that federal authorities intend to continue worksite investigations in the Northern District of New York, and employers can expect heightened scrutiny moving forward. The collaboration between HSI, Border Patrol, IRS-CI, and other agencies signals that the government views these operations not just as immigration cases, but as broad enforcement actions that touch on labor rights, financial transparency, and community fairness.

As the legal process unfolds for the five defendants and immigration proceedings move forward for the 52 others detained, the Cayuga County case will likely serve as a high-profile example of the federal government’s renewed focus on workplace enforcement. For now, officials say the message is clear: hiring unauthorized workers carries consequences, and federal agencies are prepared to act in concert to ensure compliance.