http://nctimes.com/articles/2006/06/..._386_19_06.txt

Carlsbad orders migrants to move from Cannon Road area

By: BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer

CARLSBAD ---- The dozens of migrant laborers living in makeshift camps along Cannon Road near Agua Hedionda Lagoon must move out by today or face arrest, the Carlsbad Police Department has said.

Enforcement won't actually start for several weeks ---- the posters placed near the camps several weeks ago are just a warning of what's to come, said Cpl. Kevin Lehan, a Carlsbad Police officer who is responsible for handling illegal encampment issues for the city.

"It's almost like a 30-day notice," he said.


Lehan added that the city isn't expecting to find many people still camping in the area when officers return.

The camping spots ---- usually plastic sheeting-covered huts hardly big enough to protect a wooden pallet made into a bed ---- often are home to men from Latin America. Mostly laborers in the region's agricultural fields, many of the campers have come into this country illegally and fear being deported.

"Typically, they don't want to be noticed," Lehan said. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, they're extremely cooperative."

By late Monday, word of the city's enforcement plans seemed to have spread through the roughly 2-acre encampment region. Visits to several camping areas showed packed bags or campsites stripped bare of all bedding and any personal items. The occupants who remained said they knew about the city's decision and were making plans to leave.

Dashing down a narrow dirt trail, a 21-year-old man named Carlos from Oaxaca, Mexico, stopped briefly and said he had lived in the canyon for four months ever since he came across the border. He said he now plans to share a rented apartment with a group of people.

On Monday afternoon, Carlos didn't have time to worry about where he would be sleeping in the nights to come ---- he had to get to his second job. He works from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the flower fields near Cannon Road, then from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at a local restaurant, he said.

Juan, 42, another hillside occupant, said he will move to another illegal camping spot in Del Mar where he lived before coming to Carlsbad. He camps because he has to ---- that's the only way he can send $200 every two weeks to his wife and six children in Mexico, he said.

"It is very difficult because there are very few strawberries and you can't make enough to pay rent," he said through a translator.

It's been several years since the city ordered laborers living illegally in the canyon area just southwest of the intersection of Cannon Road and Faraday Avenue to leave. In 2003, the forced removal of migrant laborers attracted protesters and much publicity.

The situation has changed these days in the area, both city and migrant advocates say. Once home to more than 100 people, this year the number of occupants peaked at roughly 50 people, said Carlsbad attorney Michael Wischkaemper, who has long been active in migrant issues.

Wischkaemper attributes the decline in part to what he says is a change in the hiring practices at the strawberry fields on the north side of the roadway. The managers are now firing people if they find out they're living in the canyon, he said.

Peter Mackauf, general manager of the Carlsbad Strawberry Co., said his company does tell people not to camp in the brush areas, but he said he doesn't think that's the reason the numbers have dropped. He attributes that to the fact that people find it more difficult these days to get back and forth across the U.S.-Mexico border.

People who used to live in the temporary camp are now renting with multiple friends because they see their living conditions as permanent rather than temporary, he said.

"Now they view themselves as not seasonal workers, but workers with seasonal jobs ... they view themselves as more of a permanent resident even though that isn't what they prefer," he said. "It's created quite a hardship for their families."

For those laborers who cannot afford rent, the Carlsbad Farmworker Housing Coordinating Committee is seeking to establish a shelter. Plans call for locating several trailers at La Posada de Guadalupe, a program that offers beds to homeless men from a variety of backgrounds. Campaign organizer Tom Maddox said they have raised $25,000 toward the project so far and are looking for donations.

From police Officer Lehan's perspective, the reason there are fewer people camping in the area is simple ---- it's less secluded than it used to be. The city is building a nearly 400-acre golf course and a private company is building a large-scale resort near the illegal encampments.

Usually, the city has hands-off policy unless illegal campers are causing problems, he said. In this case, several city trail volunteers reported that they discovered "belligerent" illegal campers in the area and the campers refused to leave when asked, he said.

A roughly 2-acre area, the encampments cover both city and private land.

The city is now attempting to figure out where the property lines are and who is responsible for removing the illegal structures, Lehan said.

Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com.

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Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.
Godzilla wrote on June 20, 2006 12:34 AM:"This is why we need to seal the border. The false hope that there is plenty of work in the states is only encouraging more of same. Mexico needs to take care of its own people and quit exporting their problems and undesirables to the U.S.. I've seen these encampments first hand and It's something I never thought I would see in America. And far to many look the other way, SHAME ON YOU!"

Time to clean up all encampments wrote on June 20, 2006 2:37 AM:"It's about time for all encampments to be be cleaned up. These land owners should be held accountable. They know they have illegals living there, so they are helping criminals. It's against the law. Not to mention the crime that can go on in the encampments. How come the media is so negligent when it come to reporting all the facts of illegal immigration and the true way it effects America ."

Finally wrote on June 20, 2006 4:18 AM:"now if Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas would do the same thing."

Taxpayer. wrote on June 20, 2006 4:47 AM:"That is one of the craziest things i`ve ever heard.Telling them to move. Thats like catching someone robbing a bank ,and telling them to put the money back and go home!They should be arrested right on the spot.So once again there`s a big waste of time with our tax dollars.How much more does this rip-off government think the taxpayers are gonna take?"

Pazook wrote on June 20, 2006 5:50 AM:"The "crops" must be in...time to enforce the law...'til next year."

Guido wrote on June 20, 2006 7:40 AM:"Thx for exposing a huge, dirtly little secret...that of thousands of illegal aliens, mainly Mexicans, illegally squatting in our many canyons. This is a serious problem and poses numerous health, safety and fire risks to surrounding communities, not to mention the fact that many of these encampments are run by criminals feeding on the aliens and making/extorting money from them. Just as the lunch wagon (roach coach) is brought in on a regular basis, so too are young (ages 11-14) sex slaves brought in to 'service' the aliens. DISGUSTING, EVIL AND REPUGNANT! If you're not actively fighting this plague, the YOU ARE part of it!"

Harry wrote on June 20, 2006 7:46 AM:""The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread." Anatole France "

Tired of Illegals wrote on June 20, 2006 8:38 AM:"Lets see - Carlos, works a day job picking strawberries, then goes to a "local restaurant" for his night job. I would like to know what restaurant hires illegals who camp in canyons, where there are no sanitary facilities - hepatitis, anyone? Maybe all of these freeloaders can go live with Claudia Smith or Francine Busby. That way, they will have more money to send back to mexico, where the "families are suffering." "

Daren wrote on June 20, 2006 8:47 AM:"Giving these illegals a 30-day notice?? What a stupid policy! Get the Border Patrol in there, arrest these criminals on sight and send their camp to the dump!! "

1st of all they are called illegal aliens! wrote on June 20, 2006 8:47 AM:"Move the out to relocate in Oceanside. Carls bad stop sending your problems to Oceanside. We don't want Oceanside to end up like that ghetto Carlsbad!"

Ron wrote on June 20, 2006 8:49 AM:"If your truely concerned about illegals, you'll vote to send them home. Because they are not citizens, people will take advantage of them. We've all heard the stories, having them work all day and then not pay them, or employers working them hard, one gets hurt, and they don't provide any medical care for their injuries. What we have now is a two-tier system, and it is illegal, and it needs to be done away with. The only way to do that effectively is send them home, and have them apply legally to become a U.S. citizen. "

To Finally wrote on June 20, 2006 8:51 AM:"Oceanside and the other authorities do this type of thing. They just keep coming back, because President Bush refuses to seal our borders. Also the bleeding hearts like Brother Beno's keeps attracting them. Plus Carlsbad Church groups keep creatinng shelters in Oceanside so they won't stay in Carlsbad. Until you all fund for more police officers and pay them more, no one will do the job and this area will always be a ghetto! So quit you're whinning and or do something about it!"

gg wrote on June 20, 2006 9:10 AM:"Like Ron said "If your truely concerned about illegals, vote to send them home. Who is hiring Carlos to work in their restaurant?? Is that a Mexican restaurant? Go figure. Yes for years they have worked the strawberry fields in Carlsbad. But for years now the population has grown tremendously. It's scarey. Has anyone read the newspapers of how many of them are criminals and just get their hand slaped. Also, if I were in needed of going to camp in a field and make a make shift rec center how long do you think that would last for me? Good going $25,000 to home illegal migrant workers. I guess the families living on the streets (children) can make it ok!! What's the matter with you people!! Wake up and look around you. Oh and by the why make sure you take your spanish lesson so you can speak the proper language!! What has happen to this County!! "

Camper wrote on June 20, 2006 9:11 AM:"If I want to camp in Carlsbad, I need to make reservations months in advance and pay the state $30+ a night. I would like to park my $50,000 RV in Carlsbad each summer and get 30 days notice to leave!"

Don't you love the pictures! wrote on June 20, 2006 9:12 AM:"This newspaper has pictures of the workers playing soccer! Doesn't this humanize them! Especially during the World Cup competition as a sentimental backdrop for these regular guys. Then this newspaper uses the term migrant laborers instead of calling what they really are which is "Illegal Aliens!" This story like so many is such bleeding hearts working through the news that doesn't report they entertain now. Oh isn't it said they have to live in the bushes. That is what fugitives. They have a name for the phenomenon that happens when the victim starts to empathize with the criminal "Stockholm Syndrome!" "

Fred wrote on June 20, 2006 9:14 AM:"Where is the Border Patrol? When an article like this is run, they should immediately do a sweep. I guess we are expecting too much from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, grandson of illegal immigrant grandparents."

Surfer wrote on June 20, 2006 9:17 AM:"If the City is going to wait 30 days, they should at least place portable toliets at the site. Why should we have to swim in crap!"

A_Mexicans_Opinion wrote on June 20, 2006 9:20 AM:"30 days notice?? What a crock of horse menure. These Illegals should be deported immediately and their soccer ball deflated. Round them all up and send them back to Mexico where they will find gainful employment in maquiladoras or selling tacos to tourist on street corners. The less of them the better the country will be!!"

A_Mexicans_Opinion wrote on June 20, 2006 9:25 AM:"Shouldn't the Carlsbad Strawberry Company be getting a visit from ICE and maybe some of its top executives arrested and large fines imposed...sounds to me like they have a history of hiring Illegal Immigrants, the story in the NC Time pretty much alludes to it."

Ray wrote on June 20, 2006 9:41 AM:"Arrest by Carlsbad Police? You mean "catch and release". Maybe this time the City of Carlsbad will do it right and not hire an unlicensed private security firm in Vista to do the cleanout. And yes A Mexican, ICE should visit the Strawberry Company, Ecke in Encinitas, the Flower Fields along the freeway, the Flower Distribution Center located in the old Burroughs Building on Avenida Encinas and the dozens of other places that hire and shield illegal aliens."

Tired of Illegals wrote on June 20, 2006 9:48 AM:"NCT is racist towards white male heterosexual republicans who are self employed property owners!!! I think NCT should open their facility in Escondido to illegals, where they can camp in the parking lot and use the bathrooms in the building - maybe get some portable showers and trailers for them to sleep in! This way, they will be real close to all the freebies offered to illegals in Escondido, like the welfare clinics on Valley Parkway, the hospital, and don't forget the swapmeet. There's also about 900 mexican taco shops within a few blocks, and they also are only a block from the wonderful money losing arts center, where they can go listen to mariachis after taking a nap in Grape Day Park!!"

Jefe wrote on June 20, 2006 9:48 AM:"There are dozens of these camps all over San Diego Co, epecially in Vista, Carlsbad and Penasquitos. These squatter camps have no running water or sanitation and are known hubs for child sex slavery. The ACLU and Catholic Church condone these 3rd world encampments and do it in the name of compassion. Sickening how we've let American values be hijacked by a few idiots. Thank God ICE is finally sweeping these camps and other known illegal alien hotbeds. We have a guest worker program for agriculture, but no one uses it. The ag employers should be jailed. "

Pete Nice wrote on June 20, 2006 9:51 AM:"Yes, lets kick them out of the country & pay $30 a pound for vegetables, because nobody else is going to do this work. People act like if we don't need illegal aliens. If we didn't need them, the wouldn't be here. The folks in this forum might not hire them, but somebody else will & that is why they are here. I'm sure some of these guys could afford an apartment, but they are not given social security numbers or ID's in order to apply for an apartment. ID's would help keep track of the folks who are working & the ones who are committing crimes. Oh yeah, Camper, if you live in San Diego, why would you drop $50k on an RV & park it in Carlsbad? You are quite the wilderness man, a regular Davy Crockett. "

Harry wrote on June 20, 2006 9:56 AM:"gg: You had better learn English yourself, before you get on an English-Only crusade. You have scant room to be critical about anyones facility with the English language! Although you are unable to express your ideas in English, your racism comes across loud and clear. "

Tax Payer wrote on June 20, 2006 9:58 AM:"I agree with Camper - what a crock of manure - a citizen with a very expensive motor home is treated like a criminal for wanting to camp in Carlsbad, unless you agree to the extortion of your hard earned cash to pay for the priviledge. Where is the Border Patrol - It's time for the common citizen to form up and take the law into our own hands, by performing citizen's arrests on these illegals, and dropping them off at the local INS office, or even better, at Francine Busby's house!!!"