Wal-Mart to Check its Payrolls for Illegal Workers
CHICAGO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced on Saturday it would review the status of its 1.1 million U.S. employees and fire any illegal immigrants on the payroll if U.S. law requires it, Reuters reports.
The internal probe at the world's largest retailer immediately follows a government investigation into allegations that contractor cleaning crews used by Wal-Mart had recruited illegal immigrants who worked in its stores.
The company, which has promised to cooperate with federal officials, said it would scrutinize the background of its own employees to ensure that none are employed illegally.
"We're reviewing the status in various areas," said Wal-Mart spokesman Tom Williams. "If that is the case -- and we don't believe it to be -- we're obviously going to follow the law."
Last week, U.S. officials arrested about 250 workers at 60 stores in 21 states as part of a "worksite enforcement" effort known as "Operation Rollback." Most of the workers belonged to contract cleaning crews.
Federal law enforcement officials said some Wal-Mart executives had direct knowledge of the alleged scheme.
The internal probe at the world's largest retailer immediately follows a government investigation into allegations that contractor cleaning crews used by Wal-Mart had recruited illegal immigrants who worked in its stores.
The company, which has promised to cooperate with federal officials, said it would scrutinize the background of its own employees to ensure that none are employed illegally.
"We're reviewing the status in various areas," said Wal-Mart spokesman Tom Williams. "If that is the case -- and we don't believe it to be -- we're obviously going to follow the law."
Last week, U.S. officials arrested about 250 workers at 60 stores in 21 states as part of a "worksite enforcement" effort known as "Operation Rollback." Most of the workers belonged to contract cleaning crews.
Federal law enforcement officials said some Wal-Mart executives had direct knowledge of the alleged scheme.