Huffington PostAgents from the Department of Homeland Security raided as many as 15 7-Eleven shops in New York and Virginia early Monday morning, according to multiple reports.
Nine store owners and mangers have been arrested on charges of harboring and hiring undocumented immigrants, The New York Times reports. The store owners also stand accused of wire fraud and using fake Social Security numbers to pay their workers.
Federal authorities said that the raids are a part of an investigation into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering, according to the AP. The respective store owners allegedly helped smuggle the workers into the U.S. from Pakistan.
A majority of the simultaneous raids happened in Suffolk County, Long Island, according to PIX 11 News. The owners of the raided stores will be charged with harboring undocumented immigrants and not paying the minimum wage to their employees.
As of Monday morning, authorities had arrested approximately 20 people in total.
The probe is as “part of a nationwide sweep involving hundreds of agents,” according to the Long Island Newsday.
7-Eleven officials wrote in an e-mailed statement to The Huffington Post that the convenience store chain will be cooperating with federal authorities, adding that they didn’t have any further comment until they learn more about the investigation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
But if they want to register to vote that’s entirely different matter.