ICE Raids Continue as Trump Administration Cracks Down on Undocumented Workers
On Wednesday 10th, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were sent to dozens of 7-Eleven stores nationwide to interview employees and deliver audit notifications, describing the move as a warning to other companies that may have unauthorized workers on their payroll and protect jobs for American workers by eliminating unfair competitive advantages for companies that exploit illegal immigration.
The operation was conducted into 98 stores and produced 21 arrests but on its side, the company via an emailed statement said that it was not responsible for the hiring and 7-Eleven Franchisees are independent business owners and are solely responsible for their employees including deciding who to hire and verifying their eligibility to work in the United States.
While Supporters of tougher immigration enforcement want to require all employers to use the government’s E-Verify system, Immigration advocates such as Winnie Kao, litigation director and senior staff attorney said that this kind of operation terrorizes workers, drives workers underground, and leads to workplace abuses and violations by unscrupulous employers.
“We are going to be doing more of this work and dedicating more resources to make sure businesses are complying with the law,” said Dani Bennett, an ICE spokeswoman. “This is a demonstration of our commitment to enforcing the law.”