An article in the Bangor Daily News from Maine sheds light on a startling discovery involving a store known as “The Mexican Store,” which was found to be involved in illegal activities related to immigration.
The store, which clearly advertised its connection to the Hispanic community, was found to be a front for a much more concerning operation. Federal agents arrested Doris Amanda Ayala Escalante, 39, co-owner of the store, on charges related to visa fraud and misuse of permits. Her husband, Juan Manuel Centeno Perez, 46, co-founded the store but has not been charged yet.
The couple reportedly helped smuggle illegal immigrants into Washington County, providing labor to various industries such as blueberry farming, wreath-making, and sea cucumber processing. Authorities discovered that Escalante and Perez were involved in smuggling workers, some of whom had already been deported once before.
In 2005, 17 illegal immigrants were detained after the van they were traveling in, belonging to Perez, broke down. This incident sparked an investigation that eventually led to Escalante’s arrest. She allegedly had two sets of immigration documents under different names, raising further questions about her activities.
This case highlights ongoing issues in the immigration debate and the ease with which illegal activities related to smuggling and labor exploitation can occur, even in plain sight. The arrest of Escalante serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in managing illegal immigration and labor fraud in the U.S.
