Milwaukee-based Palermo Villa Inc. announced that the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has closed its case on the company after verifying it had followed all applicable employment law.
Giacomo Fallucca, president and chief executive officer of the frozen pizza manufacturer in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River valley, issued the following statement regarding the agency’s decision:
“The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency has informed Palermo Villa Inc. that it has concluded its review of our company. We are pleased that this case is now closed and that the ICE review showed that we had followed all appropriate employment laws. We also are pleased there are no fines or other regulatory actions. The final part of the agency review was focused on three remaining employees who had submitted additional documentation for ICE review. Palermo Villa Inc. retained these employees until a final ruling was made on their eligibility to work in the country. Now, ICE has concluded its review and informed us that only one of the three individuals is eligible to work in the United States. Unfortunately, ICE has also now informed us that it has reaffirmed its original ruling that the other two individuals are ineligible to work in the United States. With this determination by ICE, Palermo Villa, Inc. was required to separate with those two individuals, and we have complied with the government’s requirements in this regard, though it was not easy. The two employees in question were highly valued workers, great leaders and good people who have made many positive contributions to Palermo Villa, Inc. While we wish the outcome were different, we obeyed the law and respect the agency’s determination. We have made it known to these two employees that if they are able to resolve their documentation issues with the government, we will gladly hire them back.”
