Federal authorities in Nebraska conducted a large-scale immigration raid at a meatpacking plant, arresting 76 workers accused of using stolen identities to gain employment, with ongoing investigations into a broader identity theft scheme affecting over 100 U.S. citizens.
Dozens of people protested outside the Tyson meatpacking plant in Van Buren, Arkansas, against its planned closure on May 12. The plant employs nearly 1,000 people, and Tyson executives made the decision as part of their strategy of "optimizing operations and utilizing full available capacity at each plant." The closure is the largest in the River Valley since Whirpool shuttered its Fort Smith factory in 2012. Tyson is offering a $1,000 stay-on bonus for people who apply for other jobs at Tyson and offering relocation assistance. River Valley groups are planning to help workers losing their jobs learn new skills and build their resumes.