Base busts 7 illegals hired by contractor

The investigation continues after seven undocumented workers were apprehended by Mountain Home Air Force Base and federal officials last week.

The workers, who were hired by a subcontractor to perform construction work on base, had faulty state identification cards. The false documents were identified and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment detained the workers in a successful joint operation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

"One of our security agents became suspicious of a worker's documentation. We got involved, started an investigation and took action," said AFOSI special agent Mike Lecco.

The base adheres to all Air Combat command and Air Force base entry procedures; workers are required to have a government-issued base access pass and submit to a background check.

"Obviously, having falsely documented workers access the base is a serious concern," said Col. Charles Shugg, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "We are looking closely at our part of the contracting process and will identify what procedures, if any, need to be changed to ensure we're doing everything we can to prevent this from happening."

Department of Defense contracts determine which contractors work on military construction projects.

All contractors and subcontractors are required to hire legally documented workers.