Rhode Island fires 2 firms over immigration raids

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The state on Thursday fired two janitorial firms whose workers were swept up in an immigration raid on several courthouses. The Department of Administration terminated all 50 contracts the executive branch had with Falcon Maintenance Co. and Tri-State Enterprises, including for work at the main state office building, the Attorney General's office, Department of Motor Vehicles offices and Air National Guard offices. Federal immigration authorities arrested 31 suspected illegal immigrants who worked for the two firms during raids on six courthouses last week. The Department of Administration launched an investigation after the raids to ensure the companies were complying with state and federal employment and immigration laws. It found that Falcon Management did not complete I-9 forms for all employees, the... [read full story]