By Kipp Hanley

Published: February 07, 2011

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has received U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement notices of inspection for all of its restaurants in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

According to company spokesman Chris Arnold, there are approximately 60 restaurants affected by the investigation, including locations in Woodbridge and Manassas. Arnold said the notices were received within the past couple of weeks.

The notice means Chipotle must prove all employees are eligible for employment in the U.S.

A popular national burrito chain, Chipotle started in Denver in 1993 and now has 59 restaurants in the D.C. metro area. Each location employs approximately 25 individuals.

Immigration reform is a hot topic in the nation and sweeps like this are not uncommon. Last year, ICE inspections of the restaurant chain's Minnesota employees resulted in dismissals of workers whose documents to prove eligibility for legal employment in the United States could not be verified.

Arnold declined to say how many Minnesota workers were fired but said Chipotle is one of many businesses that have been targeted by the current administration.

“This is part of a much broader ICE effort that goes well beyond Chipotle,â€