Wal-Mart Clips

In 2006, a Pennsylvania State University study revealed that during the last decade, dependence on the food stamp program nationwide increased by 8 percent, while in counties with Wal-Mart stores the increase was almost twice as large at 15.3 percent. Although Wal-Mart employs many people living in its communities, for most, the hours worked and the wages paid do not help these families transition out of poverty, the study said. [St. Louis Business Journal, 5/17/06]

In October 2003, a 21-state immigration raid at Wal-Mart stores happened because the government believed that Wal-Mart executives knew their cleaning contractors were using illegal immigrants, officials said. In 1998 and 2001, 102 illegal immigrants working for Wal-Mart contractors had been arrested and 13 Wal-Mart cleaning contractors had pleaded guilty after those arrests. [New York Times, 10/25/03]