Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds State Analysis Center for Role in Rooting Out Illegal Contract Workers
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today lauded the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) for its role in uncovering illegal workers in last night's illegal immigration sting operation. The cooperative center, created under the governor's leadership in 2005, was instrumental in the joint investigation that ultimately led to 22 arrests on immigration charges.
"Our ongoing efforts to enhance Homeland Security and improve cooperation and information sharing among agencies through this analysis center has for the first time ever provided a clearing house for public safety information and intelligence," Blunt said. "The new center allowed us to quickly and efficiently identify and remove this contractor and its illegal workers in cooperation with law enforcement."
Following a state employee's tip, state law enforcement worked with MIAC and ultimately the U.S. Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) Office to investigate potential illegal activity. MIAC analysts poured through their databases to uncover reasonable cause to indicate employees were working illegally. Their diligent name by name searches, record comparisons and analysis provided reasonable cause to proceed with the sting operation. MIAC's access to shared information coupled with a joint state and federal investigation led to the arrest of 22 illegal immigrants.
Blunt immediately signed a directive ousting the state contractor involved and barred them from doing further business with the state. By executive order, he further directed state agencies to enact a no tolerance policy through tough new contract protections.
MIAC began operating in December 2005 and provides a public safety partnership consisting of local, state and federal agencies, as well as the public sector and private partners. It collects, evaluates, analyzes, and disseminates information to agencies tasked with Homeland Security responsibilities in a timely, secure manner.
MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state. MIAC also facilitates two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement communities within our region.