Thread: Advocates criticize federal roundups

The Boston Globe

Advocates criticize federal roundups
Say raids trap noncriminal immigrants

By Brian R. Ballou and Maria Sacchetti, Globe Staff | August 30, 2007

Advocates for immigrants accused federal officials yesterday of rounding up regular undocumented immigrants and possibly some legal residents, in addition to alleged gang members in raids in several local communities, sparking fear and mistrust that could deter immigrants from reporting crimes in the future.

"This is nothing more than psychological warfare," said Sergio Reyes, director of the Boston Mayday Coalition. Federal authorities, he said, "have a list of names and are going after only those people, but they are using this as an excuse to arrest any immigrant. It's causing fear and panic."

On Tuesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with other federal and local law enforcement agents, carried out raids in Chelsea, East Boston, and Somerville as part of Operation 13.

The intention of the operation, which continued yesterday, was to arrest dozens of suspects, some believed to be members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13, on outstanding warrants, according to Chelsea police.

The agents, carrying addresses, photos, and warrants for weapons and violent offenses, went to homes and businesses and made arrests. Federal authorities have refused to release details of the sweep, including the number of arrests and the identities of detainees.

Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, called on officials with the immigration agency to release the names. He said he was concerned that federal authorities were detaining noncriminal immigrants, sparking fear in communities and possibly discouraging them from reporting crimes.

"It's clear that ICE is just wreaking havoc," he said. "Because of this fear and confusion you have people afraid to come out of their homes and afraid to call the police. How does that make any sense?"

Lucy Pineda, of Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts, said families told her organization that at least seven Salvadorans were arrested Tuesday in Revere, Everett, East Boston, and Lynn. But, according to the families, none of them have criminal records or are members of any gang. She said three people from Everett who provided documentation showing they were in the country legally had been released.

"ICE is using the excuse they are going after gang members to get to hard-working immigrants," Pineda said.

Federal authorities and officials in Revere, Everett, and Lynn have not confirmed that raids were taking place in those cities.

John Willshire Carrera, a senior attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services, said his office is talking to a handful of people swept up in the raids who said they had permission to be in the United States. At least they did not have a criminal record, he said.

"We are hearing that they are picking up many more people, including people who are documented, and we've heard of people who are permanent residents and citizens," he said. "That's illegal. It can, and it has gotten much broader."

He and Anjali Waikar, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said even immigrants here illegally are protected by the Constitution. Illegal immigrants don't have to let federal or local authorities into their homes unless government officials have a warrant. And immigrants, whether they have a warrant or not, have the right to refuse to answer questions, they said. But if immigrants tell federal officials they are here illegally, then the officials may have valid grounds to arrest them, Waikar said.

Others had little sympathy for the illegal immigrants who may have been swept up in the raids.

"So what if they sweep up regular illegal aliens as part of a gang sweep?" said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. "The regular illegal aliens shouldn't be getting a free pass."

Michael Gilhooly, spokesman for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to release further information about the investigation yesterday.
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.


http://www.boston.com/news/local/articl ... _roundups/

Go march in Mexico for your rights... go fly your flag south of the border... go get your free medical attention in Mexico

You will get no more mercy here ... we are too busy trying to protect our wives and children from being raped

Keeping our sons out of MS 13 or being killed by them because of the color of thier skin

Tired of watching our taxes get paid for you to play welfare moms and make anchor baby after anchor baby

Tired of a high cost in the hospital to pay for your free benifits

Tired of watching HUD pay your housing costs

Tired of it.... soooooooo damn tired of the funk you bring into this country

TB
diseases

and you want us to foot the bill for your unwanted stay ... When you go... Please take Presedente Boosh's goat smelling a_ _ with you so he can barter with chickens and goats in a third world country