10-23-2003, 08:07 PM
Feds Arrest 300 Workers at 61 Wal-Marts
October 23, 2003 12:23:00 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials arrested about 300 workers at 61 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) locations on immigration charges as part of an investigation into contractor cleaning crews, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
They said the investigation, known as ``Operation Rollback,'' involved allegations the contractor had recruited illegal immigrants, mainly Eastern European nationals, to work on cleaning crews at the stores for the world's largest retailer.
A federal law enforcement official said some Wal-Mart executives had direct knowledge of the scheme, based on recorded conversations that have been made, surveillance and monitoring.
They said federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued for the Wal-Mart executives to testify. The executives were not identified.
Garrison Courtney, a spokesman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the arrests in 21 states were part of a ``worksite enforcement'' effort.
``If a company knowingly hires illegal workers it can be penalized up to $10,000 per person,'' he said.
Most of the 300 workers belonged to contract cleaning crews, he said.
The latest arrests stemmed from two prior investigations by federal immigration officials involving contractors and Wal-Mart stores, one in 1998 and the other in 2001, the law enforcement official said.
The company did not immediately comment
October 23, 2003 12:23:00 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials arrested about 300 workers at 61 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) locations on immigration charges as part of an investigation into contractor cleaning crews, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
They said the investigation, known as ``Operation Rollback,'' involved allegations the contractor had recruited illegal immigrants, mainly Eastern European nationals, to work on cleaning crews at the stores for the world's largest retailer.
A federal law enforcement official said some Wal-Mart executives had direct knowledge of the scheme, based on recorded conversations that have been made, surveillance and monitoring.
They said federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued for the Wal-Mart executives to testify. The executives were not identified.
Garrison Courtney, a spokesman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the arrests in 21 states were part of a ``worksite enforcement'' effort.
``If a company knowingly hires illegal workers it can be penalized up to $10,000 per person,'' he said.
Most of the 300 workers belonged to contract cleaning crews, he said.
The latest arrests stemmed from two prior investigations by federal immigration officials involving contractors and Wal-Mart stores, one in 1998 and the other in 2001, the law enforcement official said.
The company did not immediately comment