U.S. federal agents have raided meat processing plants in six states as part of an investigation into a scheme involving identity theft and suspected illegal immigrants.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took the action Tuesday at Swift & Company plants in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas and Utah.
Officials say the case may involve hundreds of illegal immigrants who allegedly used the identity of U.S. citizens to obtain jobs. Authorities have not announced any arrests.
The president and CEO of Swift & Company, Sam Rovit, said in a statement that the firm has never knowingly hired unauthorized workers, and has participated for the past decade in a federal program that helps employers comply with immigration laws.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.