Thread: SAN DIEGO:Latino immigrants in a 'panic' over rumored raids

Latino immigrants in a 'panic' over rumored raids

Text messages spreading rumors of immigration sweeps in local stores

By EDWARD SIFUENTES - esifuentes@nctimes.com

Posted: March 18, 2010 7:47 pm

SAN DIEGO AND SW RIVERSIDE COUNTIES

Rumors spreading like wildfire in Escondido that immigration authorities are conducting large-scale operations in local Latino supermarkets and Wal-Mart stores are false, say authorities and community activists.

Latino activists say that the community is in fear over rumors spread via text messages that the raids have been occurring and that another is set to take place on Sunday.

The scuttlebutt appears to have started earlier this month when fictitious text messages began circulating that Wal-Mart had agreed to give immigration agents access to their stores to arrest illegal immigrant shoppers. The retail giant has said those rumors are "baseless and inaccurate."

Nevertheless, the messages and the fear continue.

"The community is in a panic," said Danny Perez, an Escondido activist.

Perez said that he has received numerous calls about the messages from people asking if they are true. He said people are afraid to go shopping and are hesitant to take their kids to school because of the false rumors.

Pedro Rios, San Diego director of the Quaker human rights organization American Friends Service Committee, said his group has been monitoring the messages for about two weeks. He said the group has not been able to verify any of the claims about immigration raids.

"Every time that we have been out, we have not been able to document those incidents," Rios said.

Escondido Police Chief Jim Maher said he has also heard the rumors, some of which he said falsely claim that his department is cooperating with immigration agents to conduct immigration sweeps.

"We've been hearing for a few days now about the text messages warning them that the police department and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are working together doing immigration sweeps," Maher said. "We're fighting this constant blanket of lies."

Maher said the rumors are hurting the department's relationship with the community. Several people walked out of a recent meeting he and his community liaison, Leticia Garduno, conducted at Rock Springs Elementary, the chief said.

"They want the community to hate the police and they are achieving it," Maher said.

The chief said his department's policy prohibiting his officers from working with Border Patrol agents has not changed. The department only cooperates with ICE after a suspected illegal immigrant has committed a crime, Maher said.

Escondido does not allow Border Patrol agents to be present at police checkpoints, he said.

One message posted on the social networking Web site Twitter claims that on March 21 "immigration (agents) will be going into stores all over Escondido to pick up anyone suspected of being" in the country illegally.

A spokesman for the Border Patrol in San Diego said those kinds of rumors, including those claiming that the agency will conduct raids inside Wal-Mart stores, were false.

"It's just a rumor," said Border Patrol Agent Michael Jimenez. "There is no basis for it."

Call staff writer Edward Sifuentes at 760-740-3511 760-740-3511.

NORTH COUNTY TIMES

"The community is in a panic," said Danny Perez, an Escondido activist.

If here legally, there would be nothing to fear.

46 COMMENTS

MikeinCA said on: March 19, 2010, 7:58 am
If you are here legally you have nothing to fear, otherwise you SHOULD be watching your back. Afterall, you ARE a criminal.

Sticknrotorman said on: March 19, 2010, 7:57 am
Attention Mexican Citizens illegally in Estados Unidos. Do not believe them; la migra is coming for you! They are disguised as Census Takers.

ripper said on: March 19, 2010, 7:56 am
Oh those poor, poor people. I feel so bad. We should all band together and offer free rides to the border for all familys, so they can be close to home in this time of peril!

doug said on: March 19, 2010, 7:52 am
To hobogoblin-HOW TRUE!!!!

Jim-RT said on: March 19, 2010, 7:52 am
I agree Hobgoblin11; the problem is that places like Wal-Mart and Target actually propagate the problem by catering to these people because they found out years ago that volume more than high prices would bring in more money. They know most are illegal but they do not care because of the money, much like our government if they can get money out of them, then never mind the cost.

Hobgoblin11 said on: March 19, 2010, 7:30 am
Oh how I wish this were true. Wal Mart would actually be an acceptable place to shop. No screaming Mexicankids running down the isles while their moms pay no attention to the havoc they create. No nasty bathrooms with used toilet paper stuffed in the coner because they think its TJ and wont flush it. Imagine how nice it would be if they were all just gone and places like Target, Wal Mart etc.. were once again decent laces to shop.

DontCensorTheTruth said on: March 19, 2010, 7:29 am
I can't even begin. Most of y'all know how I feel about the invaders and their "reconquista".

crazylady said on: March 19, 2010, 7:04 am
Probably no RAID, but there should be! Can we get that in a can?

AResident said on: March 19, 2010, 6:51 am
Make sure that they have turned in thier Census Form befor eany shopping, OK?

bluesman said on: March 19, 2010, 6:33 am
<Hea wally? How do I get my own personal stalker? I love hot moms.I love a good back scratch and having my ears rubbed.

LC Mom said on: March 19, 2010, 6:15 am
This story should be funny, but it's not.

The people of Escondido are afraid to go shopping and to school because of immigration raids?? What the heck are they doing in our schools to begin with?? They are illegal criminals sucking the lifeblood out of this state. The Border patrol needs to start patroling the streets of illegal alien infested communities and DEPORT these criminals.

bluesman said on: March 19, 2010, 6:07 am
"Panic?" I hope they panic their arses right back to Mexico.

bluesman said on: March 19, 2010, 6:05 am
I guess Ill start my own rumor. ICE agents and agents from homeland security with the help of the Escondido police will do a mass roundup of illegal aliens in Escondido this Saturday beginning at 10 am. (we should be so lucky). So all of you so called "undocumented aliens", please report to Orange Glen High school for deportation. (Hows that?).

Jim-RT said on: March 19, 2010, 6:01 am
I just want to say “Wally Pâ€

Time to CHARGE against AMNESTY!!!!


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Good Be afraid, be very afraid. The American people have had enough.