More than 20 workers were arrested Wednesday at O’Hara International Airport.

According to authorities’ statements, the workers used false security badges to gain access to unauthorized areas of the airport, including the tarmac. Several workers from this group seem to be illegal immigrants and they will face deportation according to statements of the federal officials.

Elissa A. Brown, special agent in charge for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office of investigations in Chicago said: "The investigation identifies a vulnerability that could compromise national security, while bringing criminal charges against individuals who built an illegal work force into their business practice,” MSNBC reports.

Ideal Staffing Solutions, Inc., of Bensenville, a temporary employment agency employed all the workers who are now in custody of the Cook County Sheriff Police.

The arrests were made after an eight-month investigation that led to the execution of a search warrant at the agency. Two of Ideal’s managers identified as Mary Gurin, 36, from Carpentersville and Norinye Benitez, 24, from Franklin Park were the first to be arrested, facing charges of issuing fake identity forms to the workers so they could enter to secure places of the O’Hara Airport.

"If we are to ensure public safety, we must know who has access to the secure areas of airports. A fundamental component of airport safety is preventing the use of false identification badges, and punishing those who commit or enable such violations,"
U.S. Atty. Patrick Fizgerald said in a statement for Chicago Tribune.

If Gurin and Benitez are convicted, they can face up to 15 years in prison while the other 23 workers face up to 3 years incarceration.