Chipotle's Undocumented-Worker Problem Resurges

Chipotle, the fast-growing, burrito-slinging chain, has become the government’s highest-profile target in its campaign against employers of illegal immigrants. For the past two years, Chipotle has been subject to a probe by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now the Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into Chipotle’s statements and disclosures for possible criminal wrongdoing, the company revealed in a regulatory filing on May 22.

President George W. Bush’s administration specifically targeted workers in raids that traumatized communities and companies. (I wrote about a raid on a Swift [JBSS3:BZ] meatpacking plant in 2008.) President Barack Obama’s administration has gone after employers, forcing them to take more responsibility for whom they hire.