California couple faces jail time for harboring illegal immigrants and fraud

Paso Robles, CA- Maximino and Melinda Morales are both facing 18 months in jail for helping people obtain fraudulent and forged visas.

The Moraleses recruited people from the Philippines to work as caregivers for the elderly in four different facilities. The immigrants were often forced to work for 24 hours at a time without a break. Their living quarters were placed in closets, hallways and attached garages.

The Moraleses also made the immigrants surrender their passports and avoid taking public transportation to avoid the possibility of coming in contact with immigration officials. They also threatened to alert immigration officials if the workers tried to leave. Much of the pay earned by the immigrants was surrendered to the couple to pay down their debt incurred for transport and fraudulent legal documents.

Nine people involved in the scheme have been identified, but authorities believe there may be more.

The Moraleses were arrested in 2010 and were sentenced to 18 months in jail Tuesday.

Millions of immigrants come to the U.S. under false pretenses to work and live. Immigration attorneys can acquire work visas or citizenship for these immigrants, but many find the process too complicated and do not wish to wait the time it takes.

Immigration lawyers will work diligently to make certain that the people who want to live in the country legally can get the documents necessary and avoid deportation. With the assistance of an immigration attorney these hopeful residents don’t have to fear authorities and can reap the benefits of U.S. citizenship.