ICE Arrests 13 in Kentucky: What Happens in Removal Proceedings
Thirteen people were arrested in Paducah, Kentucky after ICE discovered they had used stolen Social Security numbers to get jobs at a local business — for years. Eight now face federal criminal charges and up to five years in prison. The rest are in ICE custody and heading into removal proceedings, the legal process that can end in deportation.
13 Arrested in Paducah After Years of Workplace Fraud
On June 18, 2026, ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and federal partners arrested 13 people in Paducah, Kentucky. The operation targeted workers at a window supply business. Investigators say the workers used stolen Social Security numbers — numbers belonging to real U.S. citizens — to fill out Form I-9 (the employment eligibility verification form that employers are required by law to use to confirm a worker's identity and right to work in the US).
Eight of the 13 people arrested were formally charged by a federal grand jury (called an indictment). The charges relate to using false Social Security numbers. If convicted, each person faces up to five years in federal prison. The fraud reportedly took place between June 2021 and August 2025. The remaining five people who were not charged criminally are now in ICE custody and face removal proceedings — the official legal process that can lead to deportation.
Deportation Defense Checklist — Free
Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
HSI Nashville Acting Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting said the case was a warning to others. ICE Louisville Acting Assistant Field Office Director Luis Aguirre called the crimes harmful to American workers and communities. The investigation involved HSI, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) directorate, and the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General.
What This Means If You Are in Removal Proceedings
Being placed in removal proceedings does not automatically mean you will be deported. You have the right to appear before an immigration judge and present your case. Key deadlines matter: you have 30 days to appeal an order of removal, and 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen your case if new facts come up. If you are granted voluntary departure, the maximum period allowed is 120 days. Acting quickly is critical — missing these deadlines can end your options.
What to Do
- Contact an immigration lawyer immediately if you or someone you know is arrested by ICE or placed in removal proceedings. Time-sensitive deadlines begin as soon as an order is issued.
- Do not ignore a court notice. Missing your immigration court hearing almost always results in an automatic removal order against you.
- Know your rights during an ICE arrest. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status without an attorney present.
- If you want to stay in the US while your case is decided, lawyers recommend asking about an I-246 Stay of Deportation (a formal request to pause your removal), which currently carries a filing fee of $155.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Using someone else's Social Security number to work is a federal crime — it exposes you to both criminal prosecution and deportation, and it can permanently bar you from future immigration benefits. If you are already in removal proceedings, you have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge, and you should request a continuance (a delay) to find legal representation before that hearing takes place. Do not try to handle removal proceedings alone — consult a licensed immigration attorney immediately.