54 McD workers nabbed in immigration raids in Reno54 McD workers nabbed in immigration raids in Reno

RENO Nev. More than half of the 54 McDonald’s employees arrested here Sept. 27 for alleged immigration violations were released the following day for “humanitarian” reasons, a federal official was quoted as saying.

McDonald's franchisee Luther Mack said his raided Reno restaurants had required all employees to provide documentation of their work eligibility, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials indicated that seven of the McDonald's workers were deported to Mexico for previous immigration violations, and 17 remained in custody.

The ICE began its investigation five months ago after an identity theft complaint, and local police fingered Mack's restaurants as employing suspected illegal immigrants.