‘Modern-day slavery’ ring uncovered in new immigration enforcement drive

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we look at a huge criminal investigation involving the alleged smuggling of people into the country to work in conditions compared to "modern-day slavery," a profile of an important but seldom seen cabinet member, and a child viral star's sporting success.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Friday morning.     Feds bust 'modern-day slavery' ring amid new immigration enforcement effort Two dozen people were indicted in Georgia last month on charges of smuggling Mexican and Central American immigrants to the United States and forcing them to work on farms in what authorities say were conditions akin to "modern-day slavery."   Named "Operation Blooming Onion," the yearslong probe investigated a "transnational criminal organization" that allegedly engaged in human trafficking, visa fraud, forced labor, mail fraud, money laundering and other crimes that earned the collaborators more than $200 million.    At least two workers died under the working conditions, another was repeatedly raped, while others were kidnapped and threatened with death, according to the allegations in the indictment.   "The American dream is a powerful attraction for destitute and desperate people across the globe, and where there is need, there is greed from those who will attempt to exploit these willing workers for their own obscene profits," said David Estes, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.   Read the full story here.  Friday's Top Stories The very low public profile of one of Biden's top Cabinet officials Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who said fighting Covid would be his top priority, seems "invisible," say former officials from both parties.  READ MORE Showdown shapes up in California over growing housing crisis New laws to allow more construction face strong opposition from cities and counties that stand to lose power over local zoning. READ MORE Brian Williams signs off from NBC after 28 years The longtime anchor concluded his nightly MSNBC Show "The 11th Hour" Thursday with a look back on his career. READ MORE OPINION A Christmas card with guns? Lauren Boebert and Thomas Massie start a new culture war. After the Oxford school shooting in Michigan, GOP members of Congress show us we're facing an empathy and humanity problem, writes author Christina Wyman. READ MORE Also in the News Covid Christmas party sends British prime minister into crisis mode U.K. court reverses decision not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to U.S. Truck crash kills 53 migrants, injures dozens more in southern Mexico If Russia invades Ukraine, it shouldn't rely on the U.S. responding in kind Spielberg's 'West Side Story' brings deeper focus on the Puerto Rican experience Editor's Pick PODCAST Rev. Sharpton, Ben Crump, and the Pursuit of Justice. 2021 brought highs and lows in racial justice. On Into America, two leading civil rights leaders share their thoughts on justice in 2021 and beyond. READ MORE Select Teens are hard to shop for, so here are our picks for the best gifts for even the pickiest. One Fun Thing New Jersey teen goes from viral meme to high school football state champion  Dieunerst Collin, who unwittingly became a meme for his reproachful side-eye as a child, is now a state football champion.   Collin is now a high school senior and a lineman on the East Orange High School football team, which won the New Jersey championship Sunday.   He paid tribute to his childhood internet fame by giving a disapproving side-eye while posing with the championship trophy.   Read the full story here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy