Police Arrest More Than 30 Illegal Immigrants Working As Security Guards

,POSTED: 6:19 pm CDT March 30, 2008
UPDATED: 6:29 pm CDT March 30, 2008

DALLAS -- More than 30 illegal immigrants who work as security guards face weapons charges, Dallas police said.

Police teamed up with state and federal agents for the joint operation, which aimed to identify armed and unarmed security officers who were in the country illegally.

The people arrested face weapons charges, because it is illegal for non-citizens to carry or own guns.

The investigation targeted 26 Dallas-based businesses, most of which were nightclubs.

Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins said the state will " vigorously prosecute" the people arrested during the operation.

"Hopefully, this operation will help us send a message that we will not tolerate the falsification of documents for undocumented aliens under the guise of providing security," he said in a statement.

All of the people arrested during were employees of two local security companies, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office said.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.