Thread: Enraged Activists: Jail Marked Illegal Workers' Hands

Enraged Activists: Jail Marked Illegal Workers' Hands
Suspected Illegal Workers Jailed In McHenry County

POSTED: 5:37 pm CST March 9, 2007
UPDATED: 6:24 pm CST March 9, 2007

MCHENRY COUNTY -- A raid at a Northern Indiana plastics company Friday ended with 36 people arrested and many enraged.

Video: Friday Evening Headlines
Images: Suspected Illegal Immigrants Marked





Those arrested were suspected of being undocumented workers, many detained and taken to a McHenry County jail while others were bussed to Kenosha, Wis..

But what was most disturbing to immigration reform activists was the way the detained were processed. Jail officials numbered their hands with marker.

Officials at McHenry drew odd numbers for men, even numbers for women and X's for those from Mexico, detainees said.

One detained woman is diabetic and said her legs were shackled as she was jailed with a common criminal. Her hand still bears the mark of those who arrested her.

"When we knew about this issue, we immediately reacted and we complained with immigration authorities and homeland security," said Carlos Sada of the Mexican Consulate.

Many feel the conditions on which immigrants are held are inhumane.

"The marking is an insult," said Emma Lozano from Pueblo Sin Fronteras. "They treat these people as if they're numbers and not as human beings. But worse, is that they're being held and given nothing to eat and treated as if they are criminals."

A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told NBC 5, "ICE was unaware that McHenry county jail was numbering detainees' hands. Once ice became aware of the situation, we immediately instructed the jail to discontinue this practice, and the jail agreed."

McHenry county jail officials allegedly told ICE marking the detainees hands was the best way to keep track of all of them.

Immigration reform activists presented a letter to ice, urging the government to cease these raids.
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and treated as if they are criminals."

and the problem is?

But what was most disturbing to immigration reform activists was the way the detained were processed. Jail officials numbered their hands with marker.

Oh no, this is terrible, what in the world were those jailers thinking.

Give me a break, I'm certain the marker will come off with a little soap and water. Geez, is there anything these criminal alien activist won't cry foul over?

Quit enforcing the law? I really wish some of these crazy OBLs would get deported.

Dixie

"The marking is an insult," said Emma Lozano from Pueblo Sin Fronteras. "They treat these people as if they're numbers and not as human beings. But worse, is that they're being held and given nothing to eat and treated as if they are criminals."

A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told NBC 5, "ICE was unaware that McHenry county jail was numbering detainees' hands. Once ice became aware of the situation, we immediately instructed the jail to discontinue this practice, and the jail agreed."

Writing on their hands isn't effective, it could be washed off. Pink ID bracelets would work better.

never heard of so many wimps and cry babies total lack of pride get locked up then call a news conference because the fingerprint ink and some crayola gets under your fingernails....wash your hands DUH

as a person who has been to jail I can tell you it could have been wayyyyyyy worse....

anyone up for a cavity search?

Originally Posted by dragons5

as a person who has been to jail I can tell you it could have been wayyyyyyy worse....

anyone up for a cavity search?

Your not hidding a magnet, gum, wires,tissue and a rock from another planet are you? I hear its very theraputic!

These people know if they complain the ACLU or some group(s) will come to their rescue. I don't know who the bigger wimps are, them or our government.

I'm surprised they haven't DEMANDED THE HILTON!!!