One of the other businesses that I have noticed are being bought and run by Middle-Eastern types in the past few years are gas stations. I believe in free enterprise for all "Americans", but those people of questionable legal status should have all of their papers checked.
The illegals are setting-up cash businesses in our country to funnel the cash out. There is no question that the jewelry kiosks are just the tip of the iceberg. They have found a lucrative business where they own no actual property. Therefore, there would be less legal paperwork to fill-out, and no paper trail. They simply plunk down some cash and rent their spaces from the mall.