Thread: New Haven: Chertoff defends immigration sweep

Chertoff defends immigration sweep
Article Last Updated: 06/18/2007 11:48:53 AM EDT


HARTFORD (AP) — The nation's homeland security chief says the recent immigration sweep in New Haven was not in retaliation for the city's approval of identification cards for illegal immigrants.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, in a letter released Sunday, said the operation did not occur because of the city's stance on illegal immigrants.

"I want to assure you there is no relationship between the operation's execution date and the City of New Haven's immigration policy," Chertoff wrote in response to inquiries from members of the state's congressional delegation.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who are under Chertoff's direction, staged raids in New Haven June 6, two days after the city adopted a municipal identification card for illegal immigrants and city residents.

Michael Wishnie, a Yale Law School professor who is representing many of the approximately 30 people detained, said Sunday that Chertoff's quick and detailed response indicates that allegations of abuse of power are being taken seriously.

A few day days after the raids, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn, whose 3rd Congressional District includes New Haven, sent Chertoff a letter seeking an explanation.

"We are troubled by reports about the manner in which this enforcement operation was conducted, and about the timing of the action ...," they wrote on June 11.

Lieberman, in a statement e-mailed to the Hartford Courant Sunday, said he received Chertoff's letter Friday and that further investigation is needed into some of the allegations that have surfaced since the raids, such as racial profiling.
"Further investigation will be necessary into allegations of profiling, and I remain concerned by the common practice of moving detainees far from their homes after they are apprehended," said Lieberman, who is chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Chertoff said the raids were planned based on intelligence and part of expanded national efforts by ICE teams that target fugitive immigrants, those who have ignored deportation orders.

http://www.connpost.com/ci_6169774?source=rss

Why do they keep bringing up Racial profiling when there are raids like this? Of course illegal ALIENS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY are most likely from a different race! who else should be rounded up? legal Americans?
Some Senators are just dumb! .. but I smell something fishy about Chertoff conducting raids before the immigration bill hearing.. looks like he is showing Republicans he can be tough on illegals too and get them to pass the bill. What a clown this Chief is.

A few day days after the raids, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn, whose 3rd Congressional District includes New Haven, sent Chertoff a letter seeking an explanation.

All Democrats, go figure.

Yes, for all practicle purposes, Lieberman is a Democrat. He only changed parties because the Democrats wouldn't have him because of his position on the Iraq war.

How often do you hear of Republicans complaining about raids?

What I would like to know is just who does anybody think they are demanding explanations, calling for investigations, or anything else when it comes to any law enforcement agency doing their job?

From where I'm sitting, there are no explanations which need to be made.......the agency charged with the task was doing exactly what it is they are required to do, which is to locate and arrest illegal aliens to begin the process of showing them the door.


There needs to be explanations given? Fine. Provide them with copies of our Immigration Laws. It's all right there in black and white and explains everything.


And here's another thing for all of these big mouthed politicians to think about: Investigations can be started into them and their actions as well which may lead to them having some explaining to do.

Sounds like another sham publicity stunt to me!!! Is it just me...or am I the only one who does NOT believe a single word that comes out of Chertoff's mouth?

I just want to know three things: How many illegals were nabbed? Where are they now? and when are they going to be deported?