Nov 5, 2003

Wal-Mart Receives “Target Letter” Following Immigration RaidsSource: Associated Press

The Associated Press (AP) reports that mass retailer Wal-Mart has received a “target letter” from the U.S. Attorney’s office concerning violations of federal immigration laws. The letter follows late-October raids in Wal-Mart stores in 21 states, in which federal agents arrested about 250 allegedly illegal workers.

AP quotes a Wal-Mart spokesperson as saying that, based on comments made to it by federal officials after the raids, the company was not surprised by the letter, which formally notified it of upcoming grand jury proceedings. The spokesperson was quoted as saying that the company, and not its executives, were the subject of the inquiry, and that the inquiry would focus on whether Wal-Mart violated federal immigration laws in connection with the use of floor cleaning contractors. The late-October raids focused on floor cleaners employed by companies contracted by Wal-Mart to do the work.

Since the raids, Wal-Mart has said it will cooperate with the investigation. AP reports that the company has advised store managers to preserve relevant records and has said it will review all domestic employees to ensure that they are legally authorized to work in the U.S.