Thread: MI: Ypsilanti Couple Accused of Harboring Immigrants

Ypsilanti Couple Accused of Harboring Immigrants

Last Edited: Tuesday, 07 Oct 2008, 9:58 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 07 Oct 2008, 9:58 PM EDT
By The Associated Press


DETROIT -- The government says a Washtenaw County couple converted their basement into bedrooms for illegal immigrants who worked in their restaurant.

Trial opened Tuesday in federal court in Detroit for Guan Chen and his former wife, Hoa (Hoy) Le Chen. They're charged with harboring illegal immigrants in Ypsilanti by providing work, transportation and a place to live in late 2006 and early 2007.

The Chens have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say the Chens run the New Garden Buffet in Ann Arbor. Another Ann Arbor restaurant, the Golden Chef, closed after a fire in fall 2006.

In remarks to jurors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Regina McCullough says the Chens kept "several" immigrants in the basement and controlled "every movement." A court filing lists at least four people.

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Ann arbor restaurant owners convicted of harboring illegal immigrants
by David Jesse | The Ann Arbor News
Wednesday October 15, 2008, 5:58 PM


Two Ann Arbor restaurant owners were found guilty Wednesday of harboring illegal aliens.

Guan Chen, 43, and Hoa Lee Chen, 42, both of Ypsilanti Township, were found guilty by a jury that deliberated for less than three hours at the conclusion of a four-day trial, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.


The Chens were charged with harboring illegal immigrants by providing work, transportation and a place to live in late 2006 and early 2007.

Court documents show immigration agents began investigating the Chens in July 2006 and discovered an illegal alien who was employed at the Golden Chef restaurant, documents said. That man was deported to Mexico.

According to federal documents, agents learned that illegal immigrants continued to work for the Chens and live with them, so they began surveillance at the home in January 2007. Two illegal immigrants were detained leaving the home, and a third was discovered inside, according to court documents.

The Chens own the New Garden Buffet restaurant in Ann Arbor and the former Golden Chef, which was destroyed by fire in November 2006.

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