Restaurant that lost undocumented immigrant employees in house fire, now hiring

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A restaurant that tragically lost five undocumented workers in a house fire is putting up the "help wanted" sign.

Some say it's disrespectful, others believe it is just business.  The five undocumented Mexican immigrants who worked there illegally, died in a fire at the owner's house at the end of January.

The men, all between the ages of 16-23, were living in the basement of the restaurant owner's house, where the fire started.

Now 55-year-old Roger Tam and his wife, 48-year-old Ada Lei are out on bond, indicted on charges of harboring immigrants to make money. Employees say, changes are being made to run the business legally.

Restaurant workers told FOX 2 that the owner is not there, and not available for comment, referring us to attorney for a response.

Attorney Raymond Cassar represents Tam and Lei.

Raymond Cassar, attorney
"Obviously the business is going to start out a little slower," Cassar said.

He says Tam plans on following the law on who he now employs, one condition of his bond agreement.

"While the case is going through the court system it was important for Mr. Tam to get the business open and running again, because there are a lot of employees who are legitimate."

Tam is due back in federal court Friday to be arraigned on 6 counts of harboring and conspiracy. Cassar says Tam also plans on making things right by sending money to Mexico to the relatives of the men lost.

"The loss of those five individuals took a toll on this guy and he's grief stricken," Cassar said.