Thread: Minn. Meatpackers Sue Over Federal Raid

Minn. Meatpackers Sue Over Federal Raid
By GREGG AAMOT – 2 days ago

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A lawsuit filed Tuesday claims that federal immigration agents who raided a meatpacking plant detained Hispanic workers, hurled racial epithets at them and forced the women among them to take off their clothes, while white workers were spared the harsh treatment.

The federal lawsuit was filed by Centro Legal, an immigrant rights group, on behalf of 10 workers at Swift & Co.'s Worthington plant who are in the U.S. legally. More than 200 illegal immigrants in Worthington were arrested Dec. 12 as part of a six-state raid of Swift plants that netted more than 1,200 undocumented workers.

The plaintiffs, all of whom were working at the Worthington plant when it was raided, claim they were detained and searched or interrogated without being advised of their constitutional rights, the lawsuit claims. None was charged with a crime, said Gloria Contreras-Edin, Centro Legal's executive director.

Federal agents "insulted, abused, and humiliated the plaintiffs on account of their race" and ordered female Hispanic workers to disrobe in front of federal agents, the lawsuit claims. White workers, meanwhile, were allowed to move about the plant freely during the raid and weren't subject to unlawful conduct on the part of agents, according to the lawsuit.

"This is about upholding the basic constitutional rights and freedoms of Americans — whether they are black, white or Latino," Contreras-Edin said.

The lawsuit claims civil rights violations, abuse, discrimination, unlawful search and unlawful detainment. It seeks unspecified damages and a court ruling barring ICE from conducting similar raids.

Tim Counts, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Tuesday that government lawyers hadn't reviewed the lawsuit. But he said agents did nothing wrong during the raid.

"The worksite enforcement operation at the Worthington plant was done lawfully and in full accordance with ICE policies and procedures," Counts said. "Each person encountered was treated with respect and has been given full access to due process under the laws."

Worthington is a city of about 15,000 residents near the Iowa border.

Centro Legal has also sued on behalf of Hispanic residents in Willmar who claim agents broke into their homes and illegally detained them during a sweep in April. Many Hispanic immigrants in that west-central Minnesota community work at a poultry processor owned by Austin-based Hormel Foods Corp.

ICE has also claimed its agent acted properly in that raid, which led to the arrests of about 50 people.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i97l ... Gc8u0dFULw

I have a feeling they are going to cry insane things.....even out right lies to get their way. I just hope they see through this.

Everyone can see this for the crock it is. You've got a bunch of illegals looking to be millionaires on their way out the gate and that's all.

I'm sure that ICE has everything on video. Even local police departments have learned to tape everything when they carry out raids, and with the immigration debate what it is, ICE would not be stupid enough not to tape their enforcement actions.

Arguments today in Willmar immigration raids lawsuit...
Jan 9 2008 7:21AM
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A federal judge hears arguments today in a lawsuit stemming from an immigration raid in Willmar last April that resulted in dozens of arrests.

Centro Legal will argue in support of the lawsuit. The legal services group serves the Latino community.

Centro Legal filed the lawsuit on behalf more than 50 Hispanics including 16 children who claim their rights were violated during the Willmar sweep.

The lawsuit claims agents singled out plaintiffs on the basis of their race and used force and trickery to enter their homes, instead of obtaining warrants or proper consent.

Defendants are seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. Today's hearing begins at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Ann Montgomery in Minneapolis.

A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said agents involved in the raid acted within the law.

http://www.kxmb.com/News/196429.asp

All I have to say is prove it.

TALK ABOUT SPIN....THIS ONE IS ON SUPER DUPER SPIN CYCLE!

Hey, AP, do you expect me to believe this shit???

IT WONT GO ANYWHERE. THESE ARE ALL LIES.

Maybe they should begin making videos of these raids?

"This is about upholding the basic constitutional rights and freedoms of Americans — whether they are black, white or Latino," Contreras-Edin said.


They are NOT Americans

Let me paraphase...They think they have the right to break our laws without penalty or inconvience?