McALLEN, Texas – A shocking case of workplace exploitation has come to light in McAllen, Texas. Juan Ramirez Cortez, a 39-year-old Mexican national, has been arrested and charged with unlawfully hiring, employing, and harboring more than a dozen individuals with no authority to be in the country.
According to authorities, Cortez was the manager at Ole Taco in Mission, where he allegedly hired at least 10 illegal aliens. In this role, Cortez was responsible for hiring and firing employees, filling out employment paperwork, and checking the immigration documents of employees.
The charges against Cortez are serious, with a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison if convicted.
Cortez was taken into custody on July 10, 2024, during an enforcement action. He has since made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan F. Alanis and is set to have a preliminary and detention hearing on July 15, 2024.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Storey Lyles. An investigation into the matter was conducted by the FBI, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The charges against Cortez highlight the ongoing issue of workplace exploitation and the importance of enforcing immigration laws. Authorities have arrested 17 other individuals in connection with the case, all of whom are determined to be illegal aliens with no authority to be in the United States.
Cortez is currently in custody pending his next hearing. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting the rights of workers and ensuring that employers comply with the law.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking|Violent Crime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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