![Wal-Mart executives knew of illegal workers, unsealed affidavit shows](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
[JURIST] Two senior Wal-Mart [corporate website] executives were aware that cleaning contractors were hiring illegal immigrants, according to an affidavit filed by the US Bureau of Immigration and Custom Enforcement [official website] as part of an effort to secure a search warrant for a 2003 raid on Wal-Mart headquarters. The investigation lead to raids on 60 Wal-Mart stores [JURIST report] in 21 states and the arrests of over 200 illegal workers. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart paid $11 million to settle DOJ allegations [JURIST report] that it employed over 345 illegal immigrants directly and through janitorial contractors, but the affidavit was unsealed as part of an ongoing civil lawsuit brought by former employees [JURIST report]. According to the plaintiffs' attorney, the affidavit shows that "top Wal-Mart executives conspired with contractors to exploit undocumented immigrants," though Wal-Mart says that there was no incriminating evidence in the affidavit and that " no company senior official had any direct knowledge that undocumented workers were working in our stores." AP has more.