Feds arrest over 300 Illegal Workers at Wal-Mart Stores Across the Country

Fox ^

[JustPiper]

Updated from AP

WASHINGTON - Federal officials arrested more than 300 illegal workers at 61 Wal-Mart stores across the country early Thursday morning and searched the office of one of the retail chain's corporate executives, a federal official said.


AP Photo



The workers, members of cleaning crews that the company hired through a contractor, were arrested as they finished their night shifts at stores in 21 states. All were in the country illegally, according to Garrison Courtney, a spokesman with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., is the world's largest retailer.


Company spokeswoman Mona Williams confirmed the government is investigating and that stores were raided Thursday morning.


"They arrested a number of members of the floor cleaning crews. They are (employed by) outside contractors; they're not Wal-Mart associates," Williams said.


She said Wal-Mart would give more information later.


The arrests stem from a November 1998 investigation done in conjunction with the Pennsylvania attorney general's office. That investigation also targeted contractors and subcontractors used by Wal-Mart to clean stores.


Employers are required to check forms known as I-9's, filled out by every new employee, and keep the forms for a specified period of time. An employer can face civil and criminal penalties for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants or failing to comply with the I-9 regulations.


The workers arrested were detained at local immigration offices, Courtney said. If they had no previous criminal record, they were released with notices to appear before immigration judges.


The states where arrests were made are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

[JustPiper]

Updated from AP

WASHINGTON - Federal officials arrested more than 300 illegal workers at 61 Wal-Mart stores across the country early Thursday morning and searched the office of one of the retail chain's corporate executives, a federal official said.


AP Photo



The workers, members of cleaning crews that the company hired through a contractor, were arrested as they finished their night shifts at stores in 21 states. All were in the country illegally, according to Garrison Courtney, a spokesman with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., is the world's largest retailer.


Company spokeswoman Mona Williams confirmed the government is investigating and that stores were raided Thursday morning.


"They arrested a number of members of the floor cleaning crews. They are (employed by) outside contractors; they're not Wal-Mart associates," Williams said.


She said Wal-Mart would give more information later.


The arrests stem from a November 1998 investigation done in conjunction with the Pennsylvania attorney general's office. That investigation also targeted contractors and subcontractors used by Wal-Mart to clean stores.


Employers are required to check forms known as I-9's, filled out by every new employee, and keep the forms for a specified period of time. An employer can face civil and criminal penalties for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants or failing to comply with the I-9 regulations.


The workers arrested were detained at local immigration offices, Courtney said. If they had no previous criminal record, they were released with notices to appear before immigration judges.


The states where arrests were made are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

[JustPiper]

Employers are required to check forms known as I-9's, filled out by every new employee, and keep the forms for a specified period of time. An employer can face civil and criminal penalties for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants or failing to comply with the I-9 regulations.

[JustPiper]

This case derived from 1998 in Pennslyvania

[CSM]

"The workers, members of cleaning crews that the company hired through a contractor.."

"They are (employed by) outside contractors; they're not Wal-Mart associates," Williams said."

[tsomer]

...The whole point of the agreement is that that contract company would undertake this responsibility and receive compensation for those activities.

Suppose the contract company is in effect a shell corporation set up by the client company in order to insulate itself from these liabilities? Suppose company memos are found that establish this?

I'm sure the whole story hasn't been told, but the fact that Walmart's name is featured raises this suspicion.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Wal-mart is just as innocent as the fedgov.....

[txdoda]

Paaaaathetic, aint it? >>>>>>>>>

Really paaaathetic.......

Fox News now reporting THEY were contacted by INS before the raids. (so Fox could have cameras in place)


Also these raids resulting from a 1998 *investigation* ??? It takes 5/6 YEARS for INS to *catch & release* 300 illegals ???


Pastime to CLOSE our borders if this is the best INS can do.

[RikaStrom]

Good point. But does Wal-Mart become liable if they hire a cleaning crew that hires illegals? Do they need to check out the hiring credentials first?

The contract company is liable. The illegals work for the contract company, that company is required to do the I-9s and verify status. Wal-Mart would never actually have anything to do with the I-9s because these particular individuals are not the employees of Wal-Mart, they are the employees of the contract agency.

[CSM]

If it is found that the parent company of the contract company is Walmart, then I agree, they are blatantly breaking the law and should be held accountable. Whatever company is the parent company should pay the appropriate penalties.

"I'm sure the whole story hasn't been told, but the fact that Walmart's name is featured raises this suspicion."

That has been my point. Not only are posters clearly blinded by their hate for Walmart, but the story is very skewed to portray Walmart as the hiring company!

[txdoda]

This case derived from 1998 in Pennslyvania >>>>>>>>

If INS moved any s_l_o_w_e_r these illegals would have been enjoying their retirement.

[Conspiracy Guy]

The CONTRACTOR word just isn't sinking in with a lot of posters is it!!!

[JustPiper]

Check out the ads with this article

Immigration Law Firm
We do everything in Immigration Law Get help now from a professional.
www.eimmigration.org

United States Immigration
USA Green Card applications US Citizenship & Visa information
www.immigrationconsultant.org

One Minute Millionaire
Learn how to build wealth. World famous millionaire maker. Aff
SS.net/OneMinuteMillionaire

[Joe Hadenuf]

Suppose the contract company is in effect a shell corporation set up by the client company in order to insulate itself from these liabilities?

Happens all the time.....

[brydic1]

I am amused at the hypocrisy of the labor unions. Their members in the food industry are being rapidly displaced by the competition from non-union, illegal immigrant hiring companies and they continue to throw millions of dollars in support of the chief proponent of illegal immigration, the Democrat Party. Their members apparently have not a clue.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Most of us here are not anti-immigrant since America is made up of immigrants. I am one quarter Native American so my roots are deeper than many but not all. Most of us do have a problem with illegal immigrants and all that is associated with it. You are welcome to your views but most conservatives are not going to pat you on the back if you support Illegal Immigration. I hope you are not a DU Troll. If you're not, then Welcome to FR.

[Scenic Sounds]

Why is this Walmart's fault?

"Some Wal-Mart executives are expected to be slapped with grand jury subpoenas as part of this investigation, sources said. Investigators are looking into whether Wal-Mart executives knew that their contracted cleaning companies may have been hiring illegal immigrants for years."

Get 'em all!

[RikaStrom]

The CONTRACTOR word just isn't sinking in with a lot of posters is it!!!

Apparently not! Of course it always helps to read the article first. :-)

[CSM]

Nope, it is that evil big corporation that is just making the money off the little guy!