300 Illegal Workers Arrested at Wal-Marts - Eternal Allegiance

ManSlippers · 10-23-2003, 09:16 AM

300 Illegal Workers Arrested at Wal-Marts
1 hour, 15 minutes ago
By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer

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.

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.

SweetObScene · 10-23-2003, 10:35 AM

HAHA You got caught.

Lenghthen · 10-23-2003, 06:47 PM

Exactly my sentiments.

CrAZyBeAuTiFuL4 · 10-23-2003, 07:36 PM

Hmm...at least they were working and not just sitting around on lazy asses.

[RocK0WiTU] · 10-23-2003, 08:12 PM

damm swany r u ok :P lmao

CrAZyBeAuTiFuL4 · 10-23-2003, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by [RocK0WiTU]
damm swany r u ok :P lmao

*dies* Omg...that was a good one!

Nanny · 10-23-2003, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by [RocK0WiTU]
damm swany r u ok :P lmao

I'm being fucking deported, do you THINK I'm okay?

Ever heard of a thing called RESPECT?

[RocK0WiTU] · 10-23-2003, 10:27 PM

SING IT ARETHA SWANY FRANKLIN! uhmm we have a shack in the back with a hose and a hot plate maybe u can take up shelter hurr for a couple of weeks :P

Nanny · 10-23-2003, 11:42 PM

Nah, I'll just deport myself to a nice island in the bahamas.

katy_ea · 10-24-2003, 11:46 AM

im sure none of you all agree with me on this...but even if peopel are here illegally..they are still part of society, whether we want to admit it or not, they have homes that htey pay property tax on, they buy stuff which means they pay sales tax, and they're part of the economy b/c believe it or not, SOMEONE has to wash the floors and at least they are contributing the society ....YES they shouldnt be here illegally, but i dont think peopel should give them such a hard time..they're trying to make a living just like us all.