Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., has fired “hundreds” of its 1,200 Minnesota employees after an audit revealed that some were illegal workers, the Star Tribune reported Thursday.

According to the Star Tribune, employees protested the firings on Thursday-leading to the arrest of eight protesters who were cited for trespassing.

Denver-based Chipotle did not disclose the precise number of people who were fired. The Star Tribune reported that the protesters claimed it was 700, but another source said the number was closer to 350.

A Chipotle representative told the Star Tribune that workers were given opportunities to provide documents that could prove they were legally able to work in the United States and if they couldn't, they were fired in accordance with U.S. law.

However, the workers claim that were fired without much explanation and were not given time to provide documents proving they were legal workers, the Star Tribune said.

The restaurant chain has reportedly been under investigation for several months by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, which conducted the audit.

To read more about the firings and the protest in the Star Tribune, click here.

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