Mexican national, illegal alien among four who plead guilty to making, selling fake SS and green cards

A Mexican national and an illegal alien of an undetermined country of origin are among four people who pleaded guilty in a conspiracy to manufacture and sell fake green cards ( Lawful Permanent Resident - LRP cards)  and social security cards, announced the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of California. 

According to a press release dated January 6, 2020 the case was originally investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

FRESNO, Calif. — Elfego Alcala, 47, Tamilene Cisneros, 49, and Aida Corona, 38, of Visalia, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and production of false identification documents, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. 

According to court documents, between Feb. 2018 and Aug. 8, 2018, the defendants conspired to produce and sell false identification documents. On March 12, 2018, they engaged in a transaction in which they manufactured and sold three false Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR or “green card”) and three false Social Security cards that appeared to be issued by and under the authority of the United States. 

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers is prosecuting the case. 

Co-conspirator Maria Elena Soriano Salinas, 58, previously pleaded guilty to the same offenses and to being a deported alien found in the United States. On Nov. 4, 2019, she was sentenced to 27 months in prison. 

Alcala, Cisneros, and Corona are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on March 27. They each face a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Court filing reveal Aida Corona was ordered to surrender a Mexican passport back in July 2019 as part of ongoing immigration proceedings at the time.

The case is 1:18-cr-00182-LJO.

Tampa-based maintenance company recognized by Homeland Security employment compliance program

A locally owned and operated Tampa, Florida company was recognized by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their commitment to maintain a legal workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through education and training.

The Departments IMAGE certification program, which stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers, requires companies to perform four requirements:

• Complete the IMAGE Self-Assessment Questionnaire (application)

• Enroll in the E-Verify program within 60 days

• Establish a written hiring and employment eligibility verification policy that includes internal Form I-9 audits at least once per year, and

• Submit for a Form I-9 inspection

"Established in 1981, Master Maintenance Inc. is a Tampa locally-owned and operated professional facility maintenance company that provides quality building maintenance services to commercial and industrial businesses. Master Maintenance Inc. cleans over twelve million square feet each night. Master Maintenance Inc. currently has over 80 employees."

Read more about the partnership announcement here.