Official: Work site raids reviewed, not delayed

By SUZANNE GAMBOA,
The Associated Press
1:26 p.m. April 2, 2009

WASHINGTON — A shift by the federal government to make employers the primary target of immigration raids is not an effort to provide unofficial amnesty, a top immigration official said Thursday, adding that unauthorized workers will be "appropriately dealt with." Marcy Forman, director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's investigations office told a House panel: "The secretary is committed to going after the employer who engages in criminal activity."

Forman said work-site immigration raids are not being delayed, but are being reviewed to determine whether there is enough evidence to target employers.

Republican Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers, R-Ky., said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to announce soon the administration's protocol for work-site raids and he expressed concerns.

"I'm nervous that the department is making a big change said Rogers, who is the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee's homeland security subcommittee. "I hope you can prove me wrong. I pray that I'm wrong."

Some immigration and Latino advocates have been calling for a halt to immigration raids. Those who support tough immigration laws allege undocumented workers will be allowed to continue to work illegally.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... ds-040209/