Thread: Guilty pleas , deportation for the first group of detainees

Guilty pleas, deportation for first group of detainees to appear
BY GRANT SCHULTE • gschulte@dmreg.com • May 19, 2008

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Waterloo, Ia. – The first seven Postville immigrants charged with unlawful use of Social Security numbers have struck a deal with the federal government that will remove them from the U.S. almost immediately, a federal judge said this morning.

The immigrants pleaded guilty to false use of resident alien documents and agreed to five years of probation, which will be served in their home countries. The agreement requires each of the seven to be removed from the U.S. immediately after their sentencing, which takes place today.


The deal also ensures that the workers, all men, will have little chance of legally re-entering the U.S. Those who are caught illegally in the U.S. again would most likely face time in a federal prison, said Federal Magistrate John S. Scoles.

False of use resident alien documents carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence, three years of supervised probation, a fine of up to $250,000 and a $100 court fee. Prosecutors agreed to waive any fines or fees as part of the deal.

Immigrants who are removed from the country to serve probation are not supervised by the U.S. or their home governments, said U.S. Attorney spokesman Bob Teig. Their precise departure point and time are unclear.

The immigrants, clad in blue government-issued sweaters, each said “guiltyâ€

The deal also ensures that the workers, all men, will have little chance of legally re-entering the U.S. Those who are caught illegally in the U.S. again would most likely face time in a federal prison, said Federal Magistrate John S. Scoles.



Nope, but it sure as hell ensures that they will illegally re-enter the country and be right back to work in Postville before their seats on the ICE bus are even cold after their deportation.

I'm sorry, I know that we're kind of new at this enforcement business and things haven't quite gotten up to speed just yet, but these people really need to start doing time for what are serious felonies.

Unless we deport their entire families with them, if they are here; the men will try to get back illegally very soon. Let's stop being stupid.

Originally Posted by miguelina

Unless we deport their entire families with them, if they are here; the men will try to get back illegally very soon. Let's stop being stupid.

Great point miguelina! We know that a great number of these people sought sanctuary in a local church upon hearing of this raid. There is no question that many family members made it to safety and probably have no desire to self deport along with their captured family members.

Originally Posted by NoBueno

Originally Posted by miguelina

Unless we deport their entire families with them, if they are here; the men will try to get back illegally very soon. Let's stop being stupid.

Great point miguelina! We know that a great number of these people sought sanctuary in a local church upon hearing of this raid. There is no question that many family members made it to safety and probably have no desire to self deport along with their captured family members.

I agree, that is a very great point.

As for the families having no desire to self deport they also really have no need to do so.....they know their family members will be right back here before long and it will be back to business as usual. If that wasn't the case, if they didn't know this to be fact, they too would leave. It speaks volumes when they don't.

That's one of the biggest questions I have....why does ICE not check into the immigration status of the families, arrest, detain, and deport the ones here illegally? They certainly are not stupidenough to believe that these people will leave on their own.

My guess is that it is because of lack of space to house families which they are currently working on expanding. Once they accomplish that, we will most likely see enforcement targeting the families also. We also shouldn't be surprised if, one fine day, we see ICE start going to churches where these people flee, if not intercepting them on the way there, or waiting for things to cool down before they begin knocking on doors to do immigration checks.