Catholic Charities of Arkansas will be assisting the families of the
11 men arrested and detained on Social Security number fraud charges,
director Sheila Gomez said this week.

On Aug. 23, immigration agents and U.S. marshals arrested the men who
worked at the Country Club of Little Rock for allegedly using false
Social Security numbers for employment.
The charge is a felony and carries as much as five years in prison
and/or a $250,000 fine.
Gomez said a fund has been established by Catholic Charities for the
families to help pay for bills and other basic needs. A couple who
wished to remain anonymous donated $500 to the Family Assistance Fund,
and other businesses and individuals have said they will be supporting
the fund, Gomez said.

At one Spanish Mass at St. Edward Church in Little Rock Aug. 27, a
spontaneous collection was taken up for the families, Deacon Marcelino
Luna, diocesan director of Hispanic Ministry, said. All of funds were
sent directly to Catholic Charities, he said.
"We are ready to get involved with their needs," said Luna, who also
serves at the parish. "We just need to know what we can do."

Gomez said her agency would also be collecting food and diapers to
distribute to the families.

On Aug. 28, Catholic Charities hosted a two-hour information meeting
at St. John Center in Little Rock for the families with the Mexican
consul Andres Chao, who arrived in Little Rock two weeks ago for his
new appointment. The Mexican consulate office is expected to
officially open in November.

Chao's office has been working with the Country Club of Little Rock
and legal authorities to get information on the men and their futures.

"All the consulates are interested in protecting the Mexican people,"
he said. "The point is to support the families. We are working with
the country club to find a solution for the families and get their
salaries. ... We want to give them information about the legal
situation."