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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ins Catches 18 Illegal Workers

From Staff And Wire Reports

About 20 investigators from the Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested 18 undocumented workers at the SSI Food Service plant in Wilder.

The second sweep of a Canyon County business in as many days has left families worrying about their futures.

Wednesday’s 3 a.m. raid came just 16 hours after the agency nabbed 63 illegal employees of Kit Manufacturing Co. in Caldwell. Agents deported Kit’s workers Tuesday night and planned to load the SSI group on a bus headed for Mexico on Wednesday.

Workers were encouraged to take their families with them.

Immigration officials did not plan to press charges against the Wilder meat-packing plant. Officials said SSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Simplot Co., had done what it could to ensure its workers were legal. No charges were expected against Kit, either.