According to several reports, the Massachusetts-based breakfast and lunch restaurant, which recently changed its name from Dunkin Donuts, has sued to stop those franchise owners from operating.

The most recent suits were filed in Delaware and Pennsylvania, "amid what appears to be a crackdown on franchisees employment verification practices," according to Restaurant Business.

A post from Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, said, "Each of the lawsuits is similar. They each said that Dunkin reviewed employment verification documents and practices, found violations at the subject franchisee companies, terminated the operator's franchise agreements and then swiftly moved to remove the franchisees from the restaurants."

And the Center for Immigration Studies, citing a Law360 report, said, "the corporation filed a suit against multiple former franchisees with locations in Pennsylvania and Delaware stating that they were sullying the coffee chain's reputation ... [when they] engaged in illegal hiring practices in breach of their contracts.’"

It added, "The franchisees had failed to use the E-Verify program as their contracts required, according to DD's lawyers. E-Verify is a government-provided system that informs employers whether or not a worker is in legal status. There is no charge for its usage."

The doughnut, sandwich, and coffee firm has said it won't comment on pending legislation.