22 charged in Va. illegal immigrant ring

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. prosecutors say 22 people orchestrated an elaborate illegal immigrant network to supply hundreds of workers to businesses in seven states.

Most of the 22 suspects were taken into custody and brought before U.S. Magistrate James Bradberry in Norfolk, Va., Tuesday for initial appearances, the Norfolk newspaper, The Virginian-Pilot, reported.

They were charged with operating what prosecutors called a "massive immigration fraud" that allegedly took in more than $11 million and supplied workers to hotels and many other businesses in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and six other states.

The Virginian-Pilot said the 74-count indictment indicated the ring used bribery, phony marriages and bogus political asylum applications to keep operating for eight years. The alleged scam came to light during an investigation into marriage fraud involving illegal immigrants and Navy personnel, officials said.

Most of those arrested, who were jailed pending bond hearings Friday, were foreign nationals but several U.S.-born citizens are charged as well, the newspaper reported.