A Michigan couple stands accused of hiring more than 240 undocumented workers for their commercial plumbing business, housing them in cramped homes and hotel rooms while earning $74 million in revenue, according to federal prosecutors.
Moises Orduna-Rios, 36, and Raquel Orduna-Rios, 30, of Plymouth, face multiple charges, including conspiracy and transporting and harboring unauthorized workers for financial gain.
U.S. attorneys say the couple owns Orduna Plumbing Inc., which operates in Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio. Moises serves as president, while Raquel works as secretary and treasurer.
Prosecutors estimate the company generated $74 million in customer revenue between Jan. 1, 2022, and Aug. 7, 2025. They allege that between January 2022 and December 2024, the business employed about 253 workers, with only six legally permitted to work in the United States.
The Department of Justice claims the couple collected passports from undocumented employees and housed them in “overcrowded houses and hotel rooms.”
As part of the investigation, U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 23 undocumented workers in Buffalo and Rochester, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
This summer, Border Patrol agents also found nine undocumented workers believed to be employed by Orduna Plumbing living in a “small, sparsely furnished residence” in Rochester, New York.
Investigators say they discovered messages between Moises and some workers discussing payroll, proper care of company vehicles, and the use of company credit cards. They also found conversations about relocating workers to be “less visible to law enforcement.”
According to a criminal complaint, on Feb. 1, 2025, Moises sent a group message stating, “Gentlemen, with all the controversy that is going on, its better to get ready, drive the speed limit, limit yourselves going to the store, only do minimal running of errands, and do not have any gatherings such as barbeques …”
Prosecutors claim a financial review showed the business paid undocumented workers through multiple bank accounts controlled by the defendants.
Moises and Raquel made their initial appearance Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and were released on bond. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2 in the Western District of New York.
They face additional charges including conspiracy to bring in, harbor, and transport unauthorized workers, employing at least 10 unauthorized workers within 12 months, engaging in a pattern of unlawful employment, and money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
If convicted, the couple faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 for each undocumented worker.
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