US immigration agents raid 98 7-Eleven stores
WASHINGTON: Agents of a US agency that enforces immigration and customs rules raided a large number of 7-Eleven convenience stores around the country, and arrested 21 people who were found to be living in the country illegally.
The raids were conducted on Wednesday at 98 stores in capital Washington and 17 states, including New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Texas and California.
7-Eleven stores are a chain of convenience stores popular with newly minted legal immigrants, a large number of whom are of South Asian descent. But the Immigration and Custom Enforcement, did not share information about the nationality or country of origin of those held.
The individuals arrested face “removal from the country”.
Workplace immigration raids are nothing new. Under George W Bush, agents would raid places that they suspected employed people illegally. Under Barack Obama, agents would conduct inspections of papers employers have to fill up about their workers’ eligibility. The Wednesday raid was similar in nature.
“Today’s actions send a strong message to the US 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,” said Thomas D. Homan, ICE Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director.
“Businesses that hire illegal workers are a pull factor for illegal immigration and we are working hard to remove this magnet. ICE will continue its efforts to protect jobs for American workers by eliminating unfair competitive advantages for companies that exploit illegal immigration.” San Francisco police detective, who led the unsuccessful investigation into the infamous Zodiac serial killing, has died aged 86 Five people were fatally stabbed or shot to death in Northern California in 1968 and 1969, and their killer sent taunting letters and cryptograms to the police and newspapers. The killer, who was never caught, was dubbed the Zodiac killer because some of his cryptograms included astrological symbols and references
Toschi was put on the Zodiac case in 1969 but was removed nine years later when he acknowledged writing and mailing anonymous fan letters to the San Francisco Chronicle lauding his own work
The retired policeman’s daughter Linda Toschi-chambers told the Chronicle Toschi died on January 6 after a lengthy illness. Actor Mark Ruffalo portrayed him in the 2011 movie Zodiac.