Union to sue ICE to stop immigration raids

Associated Press - September 11, 2007 5:45 PM ET

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) - The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is seeking a federal injunction to stop what it calls illegal workplace raids.

A draft of the lawsuit was provided to The Associated Press.

The suit to be filed tomorrow in Amarillo targets the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The suit says federal agents unlawfully detained workers and violated their rights during raids last December at six Swift meatpacking plants.

A site in Cactus, Texas, was among those raided.

ICE officials investigating identity theft by suspected illegal immigrants arrested more than 1,200 workers.

ICE attorneys haven't seen the lawsuit -- but plan to fight it.

A spokesman says all workers were given full access to due process under the law and nobody's rights were violated.

Homeland Security referred questions to ICE.

On the Net:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: http://www.ice.gov

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union: http://www.ufcw.org

Swift & Co.: http://www.swiftbrands.com

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribute

http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=7059338

Next, unions will sue when ICE arrests illegal alien drug dealers, rapists, murders, robbers and drunken drivers. Left up to the ACLU, we would give them all diplomatic immunity.