10+ illegal immigrants found in ME Chinese restaurants

8:47 AM, Nov 19, 2011
Written by
Amanda Hill
WCSH 6 News
WLBZ 2 News

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A 24 year old working in Brewer has been charged with unlawful presence in the United States after having been previously removed from the country.

U.S. Attorney, Thomas E. Delhanty made the announcement on Friday. Walter Cruz Sanchez-Armira was found at the Twin Super Buffet in Brewer - when authorities conducted a search warrant.

On Wednesday, Immigration & Customs Enforcement worked with local law enforcement agencies executing 9 search warrants at 4 different Chinese restaurants in Maine; including Kon Asian Bistro in Portland, Twin Super Buffet in Brewer, Super China Buffet in Waterville, and New China Super Buffet in Lewiston.

Authorities targetted those restaurants and 5 different "safe houses" where illegal aliens were allegedly working and residing.

According to court records, Sanchez-Armira is a Mexican citizen. He was arrested Wednesday, along with 9 male employees for being illegally present in the U.S. Three were from Guatemala, one from China, four from Mexico, and one from Honduras.

During the search warrants, agents encountered 13 additional employees who had no authorization to work in the U.S.

The investigation is currently being conducted by the Immigration & Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security & the Department of Labor.

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