PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Immigration agents raided five South Florida 7-Eleven stores early Wednesday, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Local 10 News.
Agents targeted two stores in Miami-Dade County, two stores in Broward County and one in Palm Beach County, ICE spokesman Nestor Iglesias said.
The 7-Eleven stores targeted were Miami Beach, Homestead, Davie, Fort Lauderdale and Haverhill. However, the agency did not make any arrests as part of the raid in Florida, Iglesias said.
Sam Rahal, the manager of a 7-Eleven Washington Avenue and 9th Street in Miami Beach, said ICE agents arrived at his store around 5 a.m. and asked the owner to provide identification for about 15 of the store's employees.
Rahal said the store was not concerned about the raid because all employees undergo background checks before they are hired.
ICE agents served notices of inspection to 98 7-Eleven stores across the country and conducted interviews with the stores' employees and managers.
"Today's actions send a strong message to U.S. businesses that hire and employ an illegal workforce: ICE will enforce the law, and if you are found to be breaking the law, you will be held accountable," ICE Deputy Director Thomas D. Homan said in a statement.
ICE previously conducted an investigation into various 7-Eleven stores in 2013, resulting in the arrest of nine franchise owners and managers on charges of conspiring to commit wire fraud, stealing identities and concealing and harboring illegal aliens employed at their stores.
Authorities said Wednesday's raids served as a "follow-up to ensure the company has taken the proper steps toward more responsible hiring and employment practices."