Immigration Officials Raid 7-11 Stores Across Country, Arrest Illegal Immigrants

7-11 raids

ICE agents stormed roughly 100 7-Eleven stores spanning 17 states across the country earlier this week, checking the employment and immigration status of workers in what was called “the largest immigration action against an employer under Donald Trump’s presidency.”

Workers were verified or otherwise, and the businesses were served notice to produce hiring records for their employees within three days.

A total of 21 individuals were arrested on suspicion of being in the United States illegally. More importantly, a message was sent to businesses that fines and charges would be coming their way if they continue to hire illegal immigrants.

In a statement, acting ICE Director Thomas Homan said, “Today’s actions send a strong message to U.S. businesses that hire and employ an illegal workforce: ICE will enforce the law, and if you are found to be breaking the law, you will be held accountable.”

The acting head of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, Derek Benner, indicates this is just the beginning.

“This is what we’re gearing up for this year and what you’re going to see more and more of is these large-scale compliance inspections, just for starters,” he said.

The audits Wednesday actually stem from an investigation begun in 2013 according to the Associated Press, in which store managers used stolen identities to employ over 100 illegals knowing they could pay them less than minimum wage.

John Sandweg, an acting ICE director under Obama, agrees that the raids are a necessary enforcement tool. He believes “significant fines instilled fear in employers and avoided draining resources from other enforcement priorities, which include child exploitation, human trafficking and money laundering.”

Homan issued a warning to illegals in June saying they shouldn’t ‘be comfortable.’

“As far as fear in the immigrant community,” he said. “My purpose is to dispel the notion that if you enter this country illegally and violate the laws of this nation … you should not be comfortable.”

7-Eleven owners are feeling pretty uncomfortable today. Which business is next?

Do you support the 7-Eleven raids and crackdown on illegal immigrant workers? Tell us why or why not below!

Rusty Weiss has been covering politics for over 15 years. His writings have appeared in the Daily Caller, Fox... More about Rusty Weiss

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