Thread: New Bedford Illegal Immigrant fund continues to grow

Immigrant fund continues to grow but the need is even greater
By CAROL LEE COSTA-CROWELL
Standard-Times staff writer
June 20, 2007 6:00 AM
NEW BEDFORD — In three months, the New Bedford Immigrant Families-Ninos Fund has nearly reached its $250,000 goal to aid the 361 families caught up in the illegal-workers raid at Michael Bianco Inc. in March.

But more is needed, those who help the families said.

As more individuals are released from federal custody and await deportation hearings, they will return to New Bedford and need clothing, food and housing, according to Corinn Williams of the Community Economic Development Center.

The illegal immigrants who were not caught up in the raid needed assistance when family members were arrested and taken away.

"Many of these families are currently facing eviction, and many have combined households," said Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts President Craig J. Dutra.

The fund was established by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition in Boston and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. It is overseen by the Community Foundation and is being audited by an independent committee, according to officials from the two organizations.

Officials said 103 families have received more than $128,000 in assistance for food, housing, utilities and medical bills during the first part of the relief.

According to a press release from the Community Foundation, the second phase of the fund will be implemented with $50,000 allocated for housing for the neediest of the families affected by the raid.

"The first round assumed we would contribute one month's rent," Mr. Dutra said. But the need has endured since the March raid.

"A number of families doubled up and are no-income households," Mr. Dutra said. "That's the target group for the second-round (phase). While there are food pantries to help (feed them) and agencies to help with utilities, the critical area for these families is in housing."

The outpouring of donations has been heartwarming, Ms. Williams said.

"It is tremendous," she said. "The fundraising is not just local, but statewide and nationwide. It's an example of how the Bianco raid and the suffering and separation of children from families have motivated a lot of donations from across the nation."

Donations include a $25,000 grant from the Episcopal Relief and Development, along with donations from Grace Church ($2,000) and St. Andrew's. Grace raised the money in its collections of March 11; St. Andrew's worked with the YMCA and other organizations. St. Andrews also welcomed Mayan families into its April vacation and after-school program for school-age children in the city's North End.

Another $25,000 came from the Boston Foundation, Mr. Dutra said.

Other donations include a leadership gift committed by La Vida, a Lynn-based organization that serves Guatemalans, the Rhode Island Foundation and a local gift from BankFive.

Because help is still needed, a benefit for the Ninos Fund is planned for June 27, where local comedian Jimmy Tingle will perform at Off Broadway Theater in Somerville. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at (50 996-8253.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbc ... 011/TOWN10

As more individuals are released from federal custody and await deportation hearings, they will return to New Bedford and need clothing, food and housing, according to Corinn Williams of the Community Economic Development Center.

The illegal immigrants who were not caught up in the raid needed assistance when family members were arrested and taken away.

They NEED to go back to Messyco and find housing there.

This is complete BS!

"A number of families doubled up and are no-income households," Mr. Dutra said. "That's the target group for the second-round (phase). While there are food pantries to help (feed them) and agencies to help with utilities, the critical area for these families is in housing."

How can attrition through enforcement be expected to work if people continue to aid and abet illegal immigrants? Individuals caught aiding and abetting should be prosecuted. Furthermore, the family members of those illegal arrested should also be apprehended and deported. Something is very wrong with the way our government goes about enforcement of our laws!

Originally Posted by WhatMattersMost

As more individuals are released from federal custody and await deportation hearings, they will return to New Bedford and need clothing, food and housing, according to Corinn Williams of the Community Economic Development Center.

The illegal immigrants who were not caught up in the raid needed assistance when family members were arrested and taken away.

These people always need "assistance". Their neediness is getting on my nerves. These bleepin' leeches need to stop sucking the American people dry. Take care of yourselves, for God's sake! And do it in your own country.

Originally Posted by MW

"A number of families doubled up and are no-income households," Mr. Dutra said. "That's the target group for the second-round (phase). While there are food pantries to help (feed them) and agencies to help with utilities, the critical area for these families is in housing."

How can attrition through enforcement be expected to work if people continue to aid and abet illegal immigrants? Individuals caught aiding and abetting should be prosecuted. Furthermore, the family members of those illegal arrested should also be apprehended and deported. Something is very wrong with the way our government goes about enforcement of our laws!

Good point. I picked the criminal code from the first state which of course was Alabama. Every other state would have an identical, or at least similar, law.

Alabama Criminal Code

Section 13A-2-23

Criminal liability based upon behavior of another - Complicity.
A person is legally accountable for the behavior of another constituting a criminal offense if, with the intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense:

(1) He procures, induces or causes such other person to commit the offense; or
(2) He aids or abets such other person in committing the offense; or
(3) Having a legal duty to prevent the commission of the offense, he fails to make an effort he is legally required to make.

Criminal liability based upon behavior of another - Complicity.
A person is legally accountable for the behavior of another constituting a criminal offense if, with the intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense:

(1) He procures, induces or causes such other person to commit the offense; or
(2) He aids or abets such other person in committing the offense; or
(3) Having a legal duty to prevent the commission of the offense, he fails to make an effort he is legally required to make.

This is where the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church and other churches harboring illegal immigrants need to be stopped. They are complicit in breaking the law, period.

This is where the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church and other churches harboring illegal immigrants need to be stopped. They are complicit in breaking the law, period.

Probably the best way to get the attention of the church is to withhold contributions. I started doing it nine months ago after a band of illegals were allowed to hang out in our church hall all day.