http://www.poststar.com

Restaurant closed after immigration raid reopens

By DON LEHMAN, dlehman@poststar.com
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:40 PM EDT

GLENS FALLS -- The Thai restaurant on Glen Street that was closed last week after several of its employees were picked up by federal immigrations officials re-opened Tuesday night.

Darrell Spraragen, owner of Siam Thai Sushi, said he was able to replace the staff to get back in business, though he still has openings to fill.

He intends to keep his restaurant open during its normal hours, seven days a week.

Four Thai immigrants were arrested at the restaurant Aug. 15 after they were found to have overstayed their visas.

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had gone to the restaurant looking for a former employee who was not there, but instead determined the four Thai nationals who were there were not legal. Spraragen said he has brought in a new chef and had some former employees return to allow the restaurant to re-open.