Thread: ICE RAID TOP STORY OF THE YEAR

Update of events since at the bottom of article

ICE raid on Swift meatpacking plant is top story of year in Weld County


Staff Reports
December 31, 2006

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/2 ... /112310348

SWIFT RAID
A few weeks ago, on Dec. 12, Greeley residents were reeling from a surprise early-morning immigration raid at Swift & Co. that was part of a six-state identity-theft sting called Operation Wagon Train.

Officials reported that 261 employees were taken in the roundup at Greeley's plant, and 1,282 were taken in all from the Swift plants.

In Washington, D.C., the head of the Homeland Security Department described the results of the nation's largest workplace illegal immigration sting as a "disturbing front" in the battle against illegal immigration: Identity theft as a means to obtain employment.

Federal officials said the workers detained had obtained victims' names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers to get jobs at Swift plants.

Less than one hour after officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement entered the plant in Greeley, hundreds of friends and family of Swift employees began arriving outside the plant on U.S. 85.

Leasa Arguijo held a sign that read, "Good-bye to my Daddy," which she held on behalf of her 3-month-old grandson, as the baby's mother, Rocenda Arenas, 17, wept profusely. "I'm ashamed to be a U.S. citizen," Arguijo said. "This baby is innocent -- now he will suffer."

A man who only identified himself as Gary agreed with the raid.

Gary arrived at a main gate, where dozens of ICE agents and police officers faced a crowd of protesters. He told the agents he appreciated their work, prompting an angry response from the crowd.

A handful of the workers who were detained in the Greeley raid appeared in Weld courts. Their cases, and possibly other workers' cases, will continue in 2007.

In the days since the raid, people have been contributing to funds to help families who have been separated from a loved one. Swift & Co. even made a $60,000 donation to the United Way to help the families of detained workers.

Meanwhile, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, the union that represents workers at the Greeley plant, is debating the legality of the raid in a U.S. district court.

Maybe Swift would like to make a donation to the families of legal US citizens who have been denied employment because they hired illegals. Besides, if Swift can afford to donate 60 thousand to the families of illegals then perhaps they should give a pay raise to some of their legal employees.

No kidding, it is just disgusting. I would like Swift to make a 60 thousand dollar donation to all the families victimized by ID theft, crime and death.

Leasa Arguijo held a sign that read, "Good-bye to my Daddy," which she held on behalf of her 3-month-old grandson, as the baby's mother, Rocenda Arenas, 17, wept profusely. "I'm ashamed to be a U.S. citizen," Arguijo said. "This baby is innocent -- now he will suffer."

What a shock, the 17 year old daughter of an illegal alien already has a baby. I guess she wants to start early so she can be a grandmother at 34 like her own mother. If these people are so ashamed to be U.S. citizens, maybe they should renounce their stolen citizenship and go back to their own country. I'm sure they will give her family free medical care, food stamps, WIC benefits, section 8 housing, SSI, EITC, etc.

Reptile wrote:

If these people are so ashamed to be U.S. citizens, maybe they should renounce their stolen citizenship and go back to their own country.

I agree. They all say how much they are suffering. They are incredibly selfish because they have caused so much suffering and could care less.

Swift & Co. even made a $60,000 donation to the United Way to help the families of detained workers.

More proof the United Way supports illegal aliens.

Originally Posted by had_enuf

Swift & Co. even made a $60,000 donation to the United Way to help the families of detained workers.

More proof the United Way supports illegal aliens.

Yes thats for sure now. Never supported UW, never will.

Swift seems to have no problem showing who its sympathy and allegence is with and it has nothing to do with being a good company or employer. I am sure it wants to make sure the illegals are funded, so if deported they have no problem getting back across the border.