STING OPERATION FOCUSED ON IMMIGRANTS SUBJECT TO INCREASING SCRUTINY Last June, hundreds of federal agents were involved in an undercover operation designed to stop drug-dealing schemes with ties to Colombian drug cartels. Almost 160 people were arrested, leading federal officials to tout the operation as a complete success.
However, many are questioning the legitimacy of Operation Wild Card, in which foreign nationals were offered green cards in exchange for cash or drugs. Of the 159 people arrested, only 17 were arrested on drug related charges – all the others were arrested for immigration status violations. Lawyers for those arrested, and even the judge hearing most of the cases, are questioning the fairness of tricking immigrants into participating in criminal activities in exchange for permanent residence.
In an interview with the New York Law Journal last month, the judge hearing the cases, Judge Thomas J. McAvoy, criticized the results of the undercover operation saying “A lot of these people are hardworking people and all they want is to get a job or keep the job they have and maintain their families. They have kids here. They are working. They have good jobs. They are the kind of people we want as citizens of this country, and here we are throwing them back.”
Prosecutors maintain that each of the people arrested had engaged in criminal conduct by attempting to bribe an INS officer, and because of this should be prosecuted. They have also hinted that many of those arrested are not as innocent as they portray themselves, suggesting that many of those charged only with immigration violations were engaged in more serious criminal misconduct. < Back | Next > Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. | 
