Pinoys among exploited 7-Eleven workers – report

MANILA, Philippines—Filipinos were among 18 undocumented workers detained by immigration authorities after a probe of 14 7-Eleven franchises in the US which were allegedly involved in human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.

The Department of Homeland Security raided as many as 15 locations in New York and Virginia early Monday morning, June 17, arresting 9 suspects, mostly of Pakistani origin except for Ramon Nanas, 49, a Filipino national. They were either managers or franchise owners.

The suspects are accused of exploiting undocumented Pakistani and Filipino immigrants by taking their paychecks from 7-Eleven and paying their employees using stolen social security numbers of at least two dozen dead, a child and a coast guard cadet. Authorities said they stole up to 75% of their workers’ pay and forced them to live in boarding houses they owned, paying them in cash.

“The nine defendants created a modern-day plantation system, with themselves as overseers, with the immigrant workers as subjects, living in their version of a company town,” US Attorney Loretta Lynch told reporters during a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, according to an Associated Press report.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Cuisia, said consular and legal assistance will be extended to the Filipino victims as well as the Filipino suspect.

At least 40 other stores across the country were suspected of similar infractions, authorities said at the Brooklyn press conference.

The franchises reportedly employed more than 50 undocumented immigrants.

If convicted on conspiracy, identity theft and alien harboring charges, the suspects could face up to 20 years in prison.

“All of our franchise owners must operate their stores in accordance with laws,” the 7-Eleven said in a press statement. The company also said it will take “agressive action” to audit the employment status of all its franchisees’ employees and will assume corporate operation of the stores involved.  

Lynch said the workers would be processed “through the system.”  Some who served as whistleblowers will be able to stay while the case is being prosecuted. —with reports from the Associated Press, Huffington Post and Ryan Macasero/Rappler.com