A chicken processing plant in Moultrie is facing a federal class-action lawsuit filed by two former employees.

The suit claims in 2008 Sanderson Farms knowingly hired undocumented immigrant labor, resulting in lowered wages. It claims the company violated the Racketeering Influences and Corruption Act, also known as RICO.

Howard W. Foster is lead counsel for the Plantiffs:

“We are seeking money damages to compensate people for their wage depression and we also want an injunction against Sanderson Farms from continuing to hire illegal immigrants.

Foster brought similar charges against Dalton’s Mohawk Industries in a case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court before a settlement was reached in 2010.

Since the alleged violations at Sanderson Farms, Georgia law has started to require employers with 10 or more workers to screen new hires for proper documentation using a federal database.

Tags: immigration, Sanderson Farms, Undocumented Labor, Moutrie