BANGOR — A Mexican citizen faces an immigration-related charge following raids at Chinese restaurants and so-called “safe houses” earlier this week.

Walter Cruz Sanchez-Amira, 24, was charged with unlawful presence in the United States after having been previously removed from the country. Authorities found him while executing a search warrant at the Twin Super Buffet in Brewer and an associated residence this week.

Federal authorities executed nine search warrants on Wednesday at four Chinese restaurants in Maine where illegal aliens had allegedly been employed and five homes were they were allegedly residing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In addition to Sanchez-Amira, nine male employees were administratively arrested for being illegally present in the United States. Three were from Guatemala, one from China, four from Mexico and one from Honduras.

Agents also found another 13 employees who had no authorization to work in the United States.


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