Defendants in an alleged illegal labor ring accused of supplying undocumented Hispanic workers to Chinese restaurants on the East Coast pleaded not guilty Thursday before a federal magistrate judge.

Prosecutors said the owners of the Chamblee employment agencies that supplied the workers were immigrants from China. Many lived in Gwinnett County. Some worked with Hispanics to recruit, transport, and harbor the workers, according to five federal indictments. All of the agencies were located at 3245 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.

Lin Chen, 31, of Norcross, ran the Da Zhong Employment Agency. She was denied bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Walker because she already has a standing order of deportation back to China.

Hong Mei Li, 40, of Tucker, was also denied bond because she was considered a flight risk. She ran the Ji Chang Sen Employment Agency and came to the United States in 2001 seeking political asylum. She claimed she was persecuted because she practiced Christianity in China, a federal agent testified at her hearing.

Aleck Ki Man Hui, 70, of Suwanee, was released on bond. He is alleged to have worked as a driver for the Dong Sheng Employment Agency.

Also released on bond was Deng Yao Wen, 44, of Lilburn, who ran the Grand China Employment Agency.

Francisco Martinez Anaya, 31, of Chamblee, was denied bond because he is in the country illegally from Mexico. Prosecutors allege he helped recruit and drive illegal workers to Chinese restaurants in other states for two agencies. Sometimes he would put the workers in a "safe house" he owned in Chamblee, according to the indictment.

On Tuesday defendant Pik To Cheng, 48, of Norcross, pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. She ran the Number One Employment Agency.