Thread: Latino community outraged at timing of ICE raid

http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2006 ... /112130075

Latino community outraged at timing of ICE raid

Vanessa Delgado, (Bio) vdelgado@greeleytribune.com
December 13, 2006
Hillary Wheat / hwheat@greeleytribune.com

In one of the largest federal roundups in the state since the immigration frenzy swept the country, several hundred worried residents protested outside Swift & Co. beef packing plant, angry at officials for their insensitive timing of the raid.

"This is an insult to us as Mexicans because today is El Dia de la Vigen de Guadalupe," said Lupe Tapia of Greeley, in reference to Dec. 12, which is celebrated as a religious holiday recognizing the birth of the virgin Mary. "They are acting like (the undocumented workers) are terrorists but they are just coming here to work."
The raid was part of investigation that began in February after several reports of stolen identities were linked to the company. Workers who remained after the raid estimate that 300 or more were apprehended.

"It's running through the Greeley community, and people are calling in and saying 'should we go to work at the other companies here in Greeley?' " said Priscilla Falcon, a Chicano studies teacher at the University of Northern Colorado and an activist in the Latino community. "It's a hysteria that is flowing through the county at this point, I think."

Many of those who were taken by ICE agents at the plant attended the 5 a.m. mass at Our Lady of Peace Church, which recognizes the holiday and celebrates it with a parade and Aztec dancers.

"Why are they doing this today?" said Martha Granillo, who cried outside the gates and threw her hands in the air in disbelief. "Why today?"

Several of those outside continued to yell at agents who were guarding the entrances. The crowds were upset and worried about their family members and those who will be left behind.

"We are sorry from the bottom of our hearts for what happened on Sept. 11, but we are not the ones who did that to you guys," said Rose Marie Morales, whose family members were inside. "Please, in the name of Jesus, just let them go."

Maria Flores, a representative of Latinos Unidos, stood outside and yelled over the fence questioning whether the administrators who hired the undocumented workers joined the potential deportees in the buses.

"Where are the managers and the people who did the hiring?" Flores said. "What about their children."

In response to the fury of confused family members, Latino leaders such as Sylvia Martinez and Ricardo Romero, hosted a meeting at the Rodarte Center , 920 A St,. There, they handed out numbers for families and discussed bringing in lawyers later in the week to talk to them about their rights.

Workers from Swift who attended the meeting said they did not plan on returning on work Wednesday. Fernando Rodriquez, director for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, spoke to outraged families at the meeting and urged people to go to work on Wednesday. He said the union's team of lawyers would be there, as well, to ensure workers' rights weren't being violated.

WHAT'S NEXT

* Latino community leaders will host a forum where immigration lawyers will be on hand to speak with families about their rights at 7 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Peace Church, 1311 3rd St., Greeley.

RESOURCES

* General Consulate of Mexico, 5350 Leetsdale Drive, Suite 100, Denver 80246, (303) 359-1603.

* Immigration and Customs Enforcement: (866) 341-3858.

* General Consulate of Guatemala, 820 16 St., Ste. 615, Denver 80202, (303) 629-9210.

What about the non-illegal workers who are routinely fired at this time of year?
Plus, I'm sorry if we can't keep up with all the holidays for Mexicans. Any other holidays that we should be aware of before we arrest criminals?

"This is an insult to us as Mexicans because today is El Dia de la Vigen de Guadalupe," said Lupe Tapia of Greeley, in reference to Dec. 12, which is celebrated as a religious holiday recognizing the birth of the virgin Mary.

Sorry Lupe, most Americans don't pay much mind to Mexican religous holidays. I do suspect though, that many more illegals would have been rounded up had they chosen another day for the raid. I am sure many illegals took the day off to celebrate.

"We are sorry from the bottom of our hearts for what happened on Sept. 11, but we are not the ones who did that to you guys," said Rose Marie Morales, whose family members were inside. "Please, in the name of Jesus, just let them go."

Sorry Rose. OK - they didn't cause 911 but they had arrest warrents for identity theft and holy somkes guess what - they are illegal to boot. Who'd have though? I don't think they will be home for a while.

Start singing:

I'll be home for Christmas.........

Originally Posted by greyparrot

"This is an insult to us as Mexicans because today is El Dia de la Vigen de Guadalupe," said Lupe Tapia of Greeley, in reference to Dec. 12, which is celebrated as a religious holiday recognizing the birth of the virgin Mary.

Sorry Lupe, most Americans don't pay much mind to Mexican religous holidays. I do suspect though, that many more illegals would have been rounded up had they chosen another day for the raid. I am sure many illegals took the day off to celebrate.

It was my birthday & I thought this was a nice present. :P

"This is an insult to us as Mexicans because today is El Dia de la Vigen de Guadalupe," said Lupe Tapia of Greeley, in reference to Dec. 12, which is celebrated as a religious holiday recognizing the birth of the virgin Mary. "They are acting like (the undocumented workers) are terrorists but they are just coming here to work."

Geez. Try to read the papers. We tried to do this on Monday, but it was Big Piles of Japanese Currency Day.

This is an insult to us as Mexicans because today is El Dia de la Vigen de Guadalupe," said Lupe Tapia of Greeley, in reference to Dec. 12, which is celebrated as a religious holiday recognizing the birth of the virgin Mary. "They are acting like (the undocumented workers) are terrorists but they are just coming here to work."

LOL....sorry, but name a few days of any month in which something isn't celebrated.

I'll be home for Christmas.........

loser!

Originally Posted by crazybird

This is an insult to us as Mexicans because today is El Dia de la Vigen de Guadalupe," said Lupe Tapia of Greeley, in reference to Dec. 12, which is celebrated as a religious holiday recognizing the birth of the virgin Mary. "They are acting like (the undocumented workers) are terrorists but they are just coming here to work."

LOL....sorry, but name a few days of any month in which something isn't celebrated.

"This is an insult to us as Mexicans"
If they had come here legally and became American citizens and not stolen peoples ID they would not be in this mess!