Thread: Raids sharpen divisions over immigration

Raids sharpen divisions over immigration
In Miss. town, some residents cheer crackdown


Suspected illegal immigrants from Howard Industries were escorted outside the federal court in Hattiesburg, Miss., last week. (Matt Bush/ The Hattiesburg American via AP)
By Miguel Bustillo and Richard Fausset

Los Angeles Times / September 1, 2008

LAUREL, Miss. - Fabiola Pena considered running away from her factory job when she realized that she was being targeted in a federal immigration raid. She was deterred when she noticed the helicopters hovering overhead.

But helicopters were not what shocked Pena the most on her last, fateful day at Howard Industries, the largest employer in this small Southern city. It was the black co-workers who clapped and cheered as Pena and hundreds of other Hispanic immigrant laborers were arrested.

"They said we took their jobs, but I was working from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.," said Pena, 21, a day after the raid last week that resulted in the arrest of 595 illegal immigration suspects. "I didn't see them working like us."

The raid at Howard Industries, an electronic transformer manufacturer, was the largest of its kind in many years, and it exposed some of the rawest emotions that fuel the illegal immigration debate.

It was also carried out during an odd period of political limbo: Polls suggest that for voters, the immigration issue has been eclipsed by the sputtering economy, and neither of the two major presidential candidates has made much of the topic during the election season.

As the Bush administration winds down its tenure in Washington, it has made efforts to step up immigration enforcement, especially after Congress failed last year to pass a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration laws.

Since then, thousands of people have been arrested in raids at dozens of facilities, generating considerable controversy: Immigrant advocates have howled over the coarse treatment of suspects and the breakup of families, while anti-immigrant groups say the raids allow for the long-overdue enforcement of existing laws.

But the raids might not have much of a future after the swearing in of Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama, both of whom have staked out moderate-to-liberal stances on immigration reform.

The raid at the Howard plant was welcomed by a number of native-born residents in this manufacturing hub of about 25,000 people that has been transformed in recent years by the influx of Hispanic workers, many of whom are likely undocumented.

"They need to go and do this in every little town," Tonya Jackson said. Jackson, 30, who is black, said that over the years she had applied numerous times for a job at the company, which employs about 4,000 people. Jackson never received a callback. The raid, she said, was a welcome purge of illegal Hispanic laborers who had taken jobs they didn't deserve.

That puts her at odds with Obama. The Democratic nominee's website describes the raids as "ineffective" measures that have "placed all the burdens of a broken system onto immigrant families."

It is unclear whether the raids would increase or decrease under a Republican administration headed by McCain. Of late, McCcain has emphasized that real border security must be in place before a path to citizenship is provided for illegal immigrants.

Laurel's population in 2000 was about 18,000, according to census figures, but the Hispanic newcomers have helped raise that number by thousands. Their arrival created some tension in town, with blacks and whites suspecting that undocumented workers were taking the few available jobs and depressing wages.

Eight of the 595 workers arrested in last week's raid face criminal identity theft charges, but most were charged with noncriminal immigration violations and face possible deportation.

Howard Industries said it performs "every check allowed" to ascertain applicants' immigration status. After the raid, it erected a notice on a billboard: "Howard Industries is now hiring!"

The raid, along with rumors of further enforcement actions, has sent a wave of fear through the Hispanic community. A number of workers have skipped their shifts at the poultry plants. Mexican restaurants refused to open their doors, with one citing an unexplained "plumbing problem" in a sign to customers.

At Peniel Christian Church, one night last week, some Hispanic immigrants held hands in a circle and prayed. A few were waiting for lawyers; others were unaffected by the raid, but too scared to go home.

"These people are not terrorists, communist or criminals," said Pastor Roberto Valez, 58, a native of Puerto Rico. "They are here because they are hungry and in search of a better life, and they were caught working."
http://tinyurl.com/5s77uh

"These people are not terrorists, communist or criminals," said Pastor Roberto Valez, 58, a native of Puerto Rico. "They are here because they are hungry and in search of a better life, and they were caught working."

Of course they were caught working. Isn't this the point? If you are breaking the law, isn't it the most effective way to prove that you have broken the law to catch you red handed?

It was the black co-workers who clapped and cheered as Pena and hundreds of other Hispanic immigrant laborers were arrested.

Blacks are the most effected job-wise in small towns. I wonder why they don't stand up to the illegal hiring companies?

Immigrant advocates have howled over the coarse treatment of suspects and the breakup of families.

Their family are mostly already broke-up. Isn't there lots of women and children left in Mehico, while daddy is here ILLEGALLY? So what's the difference? White and Black people who are criminals who go to jail ALSO have their families broke-up. You're just to use to the "special" treatment you illegals get from the damn illegal advocates like ACLU or excuse me, the Mexican CLU. They sure aren't for America!

Eight of the 595 workers arrested in last week's raid face criminal identity theft charges, but most were charged with noncriminal immigration violations and face possible deportation.

Wrong!!! 585 of them are criminals! They crossed into a nations land illegally .. They are "illegal aliens."

Howard Industries said it performs "every check allowed" to ascertain applicants' immigration status. After the raid, it erected a notice on a billboard: "Howard Industries is now hiring!"

What a lying bunch of crap. I hope they are fined till they sweat. They had those illegals working for lower pay, and no benifits, most likely.

At Peniel Christian Church, one night last week, some Hispanic immigrants held hands in a circle and prayed. A few were waiting for lawyers; others were unaffected by the raid, but too scared to go home.

Waiting for FREE lawyers! Who pays them? It can't be private donations to all the ACLU lawyer in the country..

"These people are not terrorists, communist or criminals," said Pastor Roberto Valez, 58, a native of Puerto Rico. "They are here because they are hungry and in search of a better life, and they were caught working."

YES they are criminals the minute their feet touch America!!!
So aren't our homeless and poor hungry! Illegals take food and resources away from Americans.

"These people are not terrorists, communist or criminals," said Pastor Roberto Valez, 58, a native of Puerto Rico. "They are here because they are hungry and in search of a better life, and they were caught working."

"Terorists or communist?" Ok Mr. Valez, please try to stay on topic here and stop using red herrings to distract from the real issue! Further, utlilizing fradulent/stolen documents to gain work in this country is a crime and thus, makes you beloved illegals "criminals!" Illegals are not allowed to work in this country, which is also against the law.

Not sure if the term "hungry" is being used as a metaphor or being used literally here. But I have to tell you..I have yet to see ANY illegal invader that looked as if they were starving.

Providing an illegal invader the opportunity for " a better life" is not the reponsibility of this country or it's people. I'm quite certatin that every LEGAL IMMIGRANT to this country also comes here seeking a "better life." Why should your illegal invaders be allowed to cut in front of the line, essentially stealing "that better life!"

That doesn't work for me

"They said we took their jobs, but I was working from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.," said Pena, 21, a day after the raid last week that resulted in the arrest of 595 illegal immigration suspects. "I didn't see them working like us."

Again , I am puzzled by the logic of the mindset of illegal aliens and their supporters. Of course you were taking something away from them. One should NOT have to work 14 hours a day. One CANNOT work 14 hours a day for any length of time. IT IS ILLEGAL in the USA and the only reason you have the job you dumbo, is because you are as close to a 21st century slave as you can get.
OF course you did not see them working "like us". You illegal fool, you are fodder for the cannon of higher profits.

I wish the young folks on the other side--the anti-illegal immigration folks, would take to the streets like the illegals do. I wish they would picket the companies so that ICE and all other city. county and state officials were forced to come out and support our laws.
And I am very far from being a union supporter and I still feel this way.....

I need to say this--
I am extremely disappointed in my fellow citizens of Puerto-Rican descent. They put their loyalty with their ethnicity. If I were in Congress, I would propose removing any and all benefits of citizenship from them. THETY ARE NOT AMERICANB and I am damned tired of it.
Look at that p---ant Gutierrez from Illinois,. Every damn thing he works on deals with rights for people of Hispanic ancestry. Is that American??? NO!!!!!!!!

I am getting very tired of it. Who does he think he is??? George Bush???