U.S. Arrests Hundreds of Workers at Wal-Mart Stores (illegal aliens)

U.S. Arrests Hundreds of Workers at Wal-Mart Stores
Thu October 23, 2003 08:47 PM ET

By James Vicini

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hundreds of workers at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. locations across the country were arrested on immigration charges in an investigation into contractor cleaning crews, and some company executives knew about the alleged illegal hirings, 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 stores of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer.

Two officials initially said about 300 workers had been arrested at 61 stores in 21 states. But the officials later revised the numbers and said about 250 had been arrested at some 60 stores. They said investigators were still pursuing at least 50 workers.

Federal law enforcement officials said some Wal-Mart executives had direct knowledge of the alleged scheme, based on recorded conversations, surveillance and monitoring.

One official said federal agents conducted searches at the Bentonville, Arkansas, headquarters of Wal-Mart, the largest U.S. private sector employer, with about 1.1 million workers in the United States and 1.4 million worldwide.

Another official said federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued for the Wal-Mart executives to testify. The executives were not identified.

An official said the U.S. investigators believe Wal-Mart has shown a "reckless disregard" for U.S. immigration laws, exploiting workers, and has continued to hire some contractors who were already convicted of felony violations....MORE >>

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=LSDKL3OEJVY2ICRBAELCFEY?type=domesticNews&storyID=3680721

the immigrant workers will be fined and sent home and the Wal-Mart execs will get a stern lecture.

That's justice for yah.

Wal-Mart this time. Still, it will only amount to a monetary fine for Wal-Mart.....up to $10,000 per illegal worker. Not exactly a deterrant for a mega-corporation.

they'll just cut back a bit on those "rollback prices" and the fines will be paid in a week.

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=180398

I'm locking this thread. Interested DUers are welcome to continue discussing this in the referenced thread.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
TahitiNut - DU moderator