Agents aren’t the bad guys
By Bart Leath, Publisher; Bryan L. Obenchain, Editor POSTED: August 30,


Every time the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency stages a major raid to arrest illegal immigrants, it causes a stir among those who say the federal agents are hurting businesses and breaking up families.

The most recent example happened in?Laurel, Miss., where agents raided a large factory and took 595 suspected illegal immigrants into custody. It was the biggest workplace raid in U.S. history.

Some workers at the plant where the raid took place applauded as the suspected illegal workers were taken away. Employees had long complained about illegal workers being allowed to work more overtime and being promoted over legal workers. In fact, the investigation started after agents received a tip from an employee three years ago. That's right it took three years for federal agents to investigate and raid the factory. And when they do, they're criticized for harming a business or breaking up families.

In this case, the taxpayers of Mississippi should be furious. The company, Howard Industries, is the largest employer in Jones County, with 4,000 employees. In 2002, the company received $31.5 million from a taxpayer-backed incentive plan to help the company expand. And the company pays the taxpayers back by hiring illegal workers? Shameful.

But to hear some, the federal agents are the ones in the wrong in this case. So, what are federal agents to do? Ignore the problem, and let illegal immigrants continue to take jobs away from U.S. citizens? No. We suggest they be allowed to continue to do their job.
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