Thread: Illegal workers on guard in the Triangle

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/ ... 3786c.html

This is too wild but shows what a little enforcement will do!

Illegal workers on guard

By JESSICA ROCHA, Staff Writer

The 2004 satire "A Day Without a Mexican" depicts how business in California almost comes to a halt when every Mexican mysteriously disappears.
On a much smaller scale over the past week, something similar has occurred in the Triangle.

Reacting to rumors that immigration officials were raiding construction sites, hospitals, flea markets and Wal-Marts, scores of illegal immigrants have been staying home from work. They've tuned to Spanish-language radio and television for news, waiting out la migra.

Tom O'Connell, the resident agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said he received about 30 phone calls Monday from lawyers representing employers whose workers were absent, and from the Mexican Consulate and its legal team.

"People are terrified," said Ann Robertson, an immigration lawyer who represents individuals and employers, and who works on retainer with the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh. "I have never seen this, and I've been practicing immigration law for 15 years," she added.

Robertson appeared Monday on the Spanish language television channel Univision to address the community's fears.

More than 200,000 illegal immigrants lived in North Carolina in 2000, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, though many believe that number has grown.

Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested three-dozen suspected illegal workers at Cree Inc. in Durham. The semiconductor company has a contract with the Department of Defense, and O'Connell said ICE was targeting companies where unauthorized workers could pose a national security threat.

The government's priorities are airports, nuclear power plants, military bases and companies with defense contracts, O'Connell said, adding his agency lacks the manpower to increase enforcement.

"Chances are not very likely you are going to be seeing us at the flea market unless we have some specific mission," he said.

But because Cree is a private, high-tech corporation, rumors of other raids -- all untrue -- soon spread.

Recent rhetoric from Washington and roundups at Piedmont/Triad International Airport in Greensboro and at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro also heightened the anxiety.

"If we make mass arrests ... you are going to get the fear factor, which sometimes is a good thing," O'Connell said.

For information, many people tuned to Que Pasa radio, a popular AM station in the region.

"If we had all the lines available to take the calls, it would have mounted into the thousands," said John Hernandez, director of radio operations.

Radio hosts tried to tell people they were likely safe unless they drew law enforcement's attention with expired car registrations or other driving infractions.

But hosts did tell people to stay home if they felt safer doing so.

In a Durham apartment complex Sunday, one man who would not give his name said he stayed away from his job with a cleaning service in Chapel Hill on Thursday and Friday because he heard that immigration officials were making rounds near the university.

And Alfred Avery, assistant manager at The Pantry store across the street from a day labor site in Carrboro, said only about two-thirds as many men as normal have been lining up in the morning looking for work.

"I had at least two customers ask did I see a bunch of Hispanics get taken [by immigration]," he said. {he should have said Yes }

Next door at Taqueria Toledos, a Mexican restaurant, weekend business dropped to less than half what it was before the raid, manager Liborio Garcia said.

"They come in, comment about the situation, and leave," he said. "They lock themselves in their homes."

Staff writer Jessica Rocha can be reached at 932-2008 or jessica.rocha@newsobserver.com.

sounds like a roomer to start every Monday and Wednesday

I think Thursdays and Fridays would be better.

Originally Posted by jp_48504

I think Thursdays and Fridays would be better.

But I was thinking of another one on Friday and Saturday: There will be ICE officers at all Wal Mart stores.

Its against the law to yell fire in a crowded theater, does that apply to yelling "LA MIGRA" in a crowded Wal-Mart ?

I love it! Viva La Migra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I actually have a bumper sticker on the back on my car now that says just that!

We need contact info for this man. I can't believe the employers that hire illegal labor are now having lawyers call and complain to ICE????

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Tom O'Connell, the resident agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said he received about 30 phone calls Monday from lawyers representing employers whose workers were absent, and from the Mexican Consulate and its legal team.

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I think it is time that Mr. O'Connell hears from the Battle for NC Team.

W

I believe this guy's in agent-in-charge of the Cary office but don't know the phone #.

"More than 200,000 illegal immigrants lived in North Carolina in 2000, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, though many believe that number has grown."

probable 4 times that now.

Department of Homeland Security

Customs & Border Protection

2400 Terminal Blvd.
(Probably Morrisville) 27560

919-840-0610

Got it from the the phone book.