Pennsylvania resident Andy Ha has pleaded guilty to harboring illegal immigrants for financial gain in a town that experienced an influx of Haitian migrants. Ha, who owned a staffing agency, paid over 25 unauthorized workers to stay in a former hotel and provided transportation to and from work. He also failed to pay over $3 million in employment taxes by knowingly submitting false tax returns that omitted unauthorized workers from the list. Ha’s actions led to a loss of at least $3.1 million for the U.S. government.
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti emphasized that Ha broke the law by harboring and employing individuals not authorized to be in the country, as well as costing the government millions of dollars through tax evasion. The investigation involved the IRS, HSI, and Pennsylvania State Police, with sentencing scheduled for July.
The case sheds light on the exploitation of undocumented workers and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protect communities from such exploitation. The town of Charleroi, where the illegal activities took place, had been highlighted by President Donald Trump as a town affected by an increase in Haitian migrants under the Biden administration. While some residents believed the influx revitalized the town, others described it as an “invasion.”
Fox News Digital reported from Charleroi in October, noting differing opinions among officials and residents regarding the impact of the migrant influx. Adam Shaw, a politics reporter covering immigration and border security, can be reached for further information on the story.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
