Another reason to close the borders

Illegal immigrants arrested in Wal-Mart raid file suit

November 9, 2003, 10:39 AM EST

FREEHOLD, N.J. -- Nine illegal immigrants who worked as janitors at Wal-Mart until they were arrested during federal raids last month have sued the company, accusing it of discriminating against them.

The Mexican immigrants, who worked as janitors, also accuse Wal-Mart and its cleaning contractors of failing to pay overtime, withhold taxes and make required workers' compensation contributions.

The plaintiffs, who face deportation, were among 250 people arrested in an Oct. 23 raid on 60 Wal-Mart stores in 21 states.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Superior Court in Freehold is the first from immigrants arrested in the raid.

According to the lawsuit, Wal-Mart employed cleaning contractors "with full knowledge" that they paid illegal immigrants less than legal workers.

The lawsuit says managers at Wal-Mart stores in Old Bridge and Piscataway knew the nine plaintiffs were illegal immigrants.

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