By SPA,
Washington : Federal immigration agents conducted raids in five U.S. states on Wednesday, targeting branches of America’s largest poultry processing company over allegations that some of its employees were illegal immigrants using false identification documents.
The raids targeted Pilgrim’s Pride poultry plants in Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and West Virginia. More than 100 people were expected to be charged, Julie Myers, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement assistant secretary, told The Associated Press.
A spokesman for the company said that it contacted immigration officials after uncovering potential identity theft at its Arkansas plant. The spokesman added that no charges were filed against the company because it cooperated fully.
Immigration raids also took place elsewhere across the United States on Wednesday, with agents arresting 30 workers at a Texas doughnut plant, and 10 people in New York.
Authorities also arrested 45 illegal immigrants during early morning raids in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Georgia.