Thread: Customs sweep detains 41 in West Michigan

Customs sweep detains 41 in West Michigan

Thursday, March 29, 2007By John AgarThe Grand Rapids Press
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained 41 people in a "cross-check" operation in West Michigan.

Immigration authorities said they targeted illegal aliens who committed crimes and posed a danger to the community. Of the 41, one had been charged with murder, while others were convicted of sexually abusing children or assault, ICE spokesman Greg Palmore said.

Authorities targeted specific detainees based on records and intelligence.


"It is an ongoing enforcement action," Palmore said.

The arrests occurred in the Grand Rapids area, with 10 of them Monday in Holland.

Honoria Campa and Gonzalo Campa-Moreno, of Holland, said their 21-year-old son was among those picked up Monday night.

"I don't understand -- he's not a criminal," his father said.

He and his wife fear that their son, Uriel Campa, who has lived most of his life in U.S., will be deported to Mexico, where he was born.

The son was living legally in the United States, and was in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, like his parents.

"We don't have any family in Mexico," the father said. "I don't know why they're sending him there. ... This is not right."

The son had a 2006 misdemeanor conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon. He was ordered to spend 90 days in the Ottawa County Jail.

He originally was charged with a felony, but he pleaded guilty to the reduced

charge, state police records showed.

Immigration officials visited the family's house on West 17th Street Monday. The son wasn't there, but he soon arrived and was put in handcuffs.

Campa, his wife and their daughter became citizens after coming to Michigan 19 years ago. They have lived in the same house for 15 years and consider Holland their home.

Campa's son, who had a green card allowing him to work in the U.S., worked for a temporary employment agency. In his spare time, he paints signs.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index ... xml&coll=6

Well, between the Maryland raids and this one that makes 91 caught. I guess it's a better day than I thought.

91 about what an early morning Home depot fares around here.