End immigration sweeps, activists say
Protesters gather in Fresno to condemn Mendota roundup.
By Vanessa Colón / The Fresno Bee
03/09/07 05:57:25

Valley activists urged local members of Congress on Thursday to support a moratorium on immigration sweeps and comprehensive immigration reform.

About a dozen people gathered in downtown Fresno on Tulare and O streets to condemn the roundup of undocumented workers in Mendota and the nationwide sweeps by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Raids do little more than polarize the community and criminalize only the workers. ... It does nothing to fix the problem," said Estela Galván, program associate of the Pan Valley Institute, part of the nonprofit Quaker group, American Friends Service Committee.

Some groups opposed to illegal immigration consider the sweeps the right step.

"We are glad to see the government is finally taking steps to enforce the law," Caroline Espinosa, a spokeswoman for NumbersUSA, said by phone from Arlington, Va.

NumbersUSA advocates for the reduction of legal and illegal immigration.

The activists plan to drum up support by visiting the local offices of Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

They hope to stop by the offices of Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia. Some activists plan to fly to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress next week.

Last month, immigration agents swept through Mendota, a small farming community of about 8,000 residents in west Fresno County.

City officials estimated about 200 people were arrested. Some children were left without parents.

"Operation Return to Sender" targets people with deportation orders issued by a judge, but agents can pick up other undocumented immigrants they come in contact with, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration officials said some of those they've netted are criminals.

"Enough with hating us like we are the worst delinquents," said Concepción Loyola de Pacheco of Fresno.

"We want to live happily and at peace."

Espinosa said it's unfortunate that families have been separated because of the sweeps but said: "They were fully aware of what the consequences are of coming here illegally and getting caught."

Radanovich and Costa have been active supporters of comprehensive immigration reform such as the AgJobs bill, which would grant temporary legal status to immigrants who could prove they had worked in agriculture for a certain period of time and could earn permanent legal residency if they continued working in agriculture.

"He feels that any reform that is not comprehensive doesn't address the problem," said Michael Lukens, Radanovich's press secretary.

Costa said he hasn't met with the activists but said the sweeps create a difficult situation for families.

"The law is the law, which is why we need to get comprehensive immigration reform," he said.

Espinosa, however, calls comprehensive immigration reform another form of amnesty.

"You cannot reward illegal behavior," she said.
The reporter can be reached at vcolon@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6313.

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