Thread: Immigrants raided two days after ID card OK

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Once again, they forgot the word Illegal.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Local officials say federal immigration agents have arrested 29 people for deportation in New Haven, Connecticut.

The raid came two days after aldermen approved ID cards that could help illegal immigrants. The officials question the timing of the raid.

But a spokeswoman for the Boston office of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it was a routine fugitive operation that was not associated with the vote.

The all-purpose municipal identification cards will allow anyone to open bank accounts and use other services that may be unavailable without driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards.

Supporters say the ID program will improve safety for illegal immigrants.

Posted on Wed, Jun. 06, 2007
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Immigrants raided days after ID card OK
The Associated Press

Federal immigration agents Wednesday arrested 29 people for deportation two days after city aldermen approved ID cards that could help illegal immigrants, city officials said.

Those arrested in New Haven already had been ordered deported by judges and will be returned to their home countries, said Paula Grenier, a spokeswoman for the Boston office of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

City officials questioned the raid's timing, but Grenier said it was a routine fugitive operation that was not associated with the aldermens' vote.

"Just two days ago the Board of Aldermen approved this resolution, and today we have the federal government terrifying New Haven residents and taking people away," said Kica Matos, who oversees the city department that assists immigrants.

Mayor John DeStefano wasn't buying Grenier's explanation.

"Now there are in America 11,000 cities, towns and villages, but somehow, by some act of circumstance or coincidence, within 36 hours, the response was in New Haven," DeStefano said.

The Board of Aldermen voted 25-1 on Monday to create all-purpose municipal identification cards, which will allow anyone to open bank accounts and use other services that may be unavailable without driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards.

Supporters say the ID program will improve safety for illegal immigrants. For example, if they can open bank accounts, they will not need to carry large amounts of cash that make them robbery targets.

New Haven has been welcoming to immigrants, offering federal tax help and prohibiting police from asking about their immigration status.

City police did not assist with the raids Wednesday because of that policy, said Jessica Mayorga, a DeStefano spokeswoman.

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