Immigration Crackdown at Chipotle
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CHICAGO - JANUARY 26: Pedestrians pass a Chipoltle Mexican Grill restaurant in the trendy Bucktown neighborhood January 26, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. McDonald's spin-off of the restaurant chain ended the day with the Initial Public Offering (IPO) closing at $44, double its opening price. It was the best opening day gain by a U.S.-based IPO in more than five years. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (2006 Getty Images)
Dozens of Latino Chipotle employees across Minnesota and Wisconsin have been fired in the last week, and several workers who survived the cuts say they are being asked to train white workers whom they fear will become their replacements once the training is complete, a local blog reports.
According to CityPages, an online Minnesota blog, restaurant managers referred all questions to Chipotle's corporate headquarters in Denver. Chipotle released the following statement to Fox News Latino:
"We are fully cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in Minnesota in response to a request for documents they have made. Chipotle is extremely proud of its diverse and talented workforce, and is saddened by the loss of some excellent employees."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There is no confirmation that all of the released employees have been fired due to their document status.
The number of fired employees -- at least 80, CityPages reports -- could still grow. The Minnesota Immigration Rights Committee has stepped in to condemn the firings and represent the now jobless employees.
Workers gathered at then Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on Tuesday to share their stories and discuss their options.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}For the personal accounts of two of the workers, Juan and Maria, click here.