WAILUKU » Federal agents arrested 21 illegal immigrants at a condominium construction site in west Maui - the same site where some 23 were taken into custody about a month ago.

The 21 illegal immigrants working at Global Stone Inc. were arrested Monday at the Honua Kai construction project in Honokowai, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.

Federal officials said they were troubled at the continued employment of undocumented workers at the site.

U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo warned companies against simply pleading ignorance about the immigration status of their employees.

“;I strongly advise them to think again, because if there is enough evidence, we will aggressively pursue all available remedies to address this issue,”; Kubo said.

Those arrested yesterday were all males, with 12 from Mexico, eight from Brazil and one from Slovakia, in Eastern Europe.

They were placed in immigration removal proceedings.

Agents arrested 23 illegal immigrants from three different companies at the Honua Kai site on Aug. 20, including 13 working for Global Stone Inc.

Agents received consent from the general contractor Ledcor Hawaii to enter the construction site and were assisted by Maui police.

Officials said the latest arrests were part of an ongoing investigation.