« grassroots lunacy | Main | Mexico gives maps to migrants? »
April 20, 2006
1,187 immigrants arrested yesterday
Yesterday, DHS conducted a massive raid on IFCO Systems. The raid encompassed 26 states and 1,187 undocumented workers were arrested. A plant in Commerce City, CO, where 38 workers were arrested, was among those raided. My heart goes out to the families affected by this, however, not to the executives and managers who will face stiff penalties. They face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each undocumented worker. ($250,000 x 1,187 = $296,750,000 -- just 199,150,000 less than the company's generated revenue for 2004. source)
New York State Police Superintendent Wayne E. Bennett said, “It is disturbing that there are businesspeople who have decided to exploit illegal aliens for the sole purpose of their own financial gain. Compounding the issue is the fact that corporation officials also engaged in tactics to obtain false identifications; instructed illegal aliens on how to avoid detection by law enforcement officials; and, practiced deception with government agencies regarding the true identifications of the workers.” source
This brought to mind again how important it is for all parents (documented or undocumented) to have an emergency plan in place for their children. I blogged about this last week. I am also glad to see the quick response in Indianapolis of those concerned for the children:
The sweep at IFCO Systems may have been the largest in the city for more than 10 years, according to a longtime advocate for immigrants. The Rev. Thomas Fox was among the activists who rushed to the federal office building near 10th and Illinois streets where detainees were being processed. "We're concerned mostly for the families," said Fox as he stood in front of the building. "It's causing a lot of fear and there are women and children who are afraid to come out."
The raids come less than two weeks after Fox and other advocates rallied 20,000 people to march in Downtown Indianapolis over proposals to reform the nation's immigration laws. Fox was joined Wednesday by at least two other activists outside the federal offices. Inside, Mexican Consul Lorena Alvarado tried to calm detainees. The raids were poorly timed, coming so close to the protest this month, Alvarado said, but assured the workers that the raid targeted IFCO Systems and not them. Alvarado planned a news conference today in an effort to ease fears in the Latino community. source
While the timing of this raid is raising many eyebrows (mine included), I place myself in the shoes of the investigators and think that if I had been working for a year to put together a solid case against this company, I might do the raid before legislation could pass too. Some activists are calling for President Bush to declare a moratorium on immigration enforcement while the issue is being debated in Congress.
To be honest with you, I think that is just about as silly as the Minutemen insisting Bush start building a fence. Do these people think we live in monarchy?!
Unfortunately, undocumented workers live in fear of raids everyday and are all too often taken advantage of by unscrupulous executives and managers. I feel sad for the workers and their families, but this is their reality right now.
My hope is that this raid will be an eye opener for those who would villify the immigrant. The contributing factors to the immigration crisis are complex. Which is exactly why we need a good, solid piece of comprehensive reform that won't be slapped together by backroom wheelers and dealers.
Watch raw video of the Houston raid from KHOU.
Posted by almamia at April 20, 2006 3:49 PM