Thread: We do not break down doors': ICE

http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/local/ ... ml&coll=10



We do not break down doors': ICE
Thursday, February 08, 2007
By MATT DUNN
Staff Writer
BRIDGETON -- A city man, his wife and son, suspected of being illegal immigrants, are being held at separate detention centers in North Jersey.

Meanwhile, an ICE spokesman said Monday he would not comment on a city-wide sweep of fugitive immigrants which occurred last week, stating the group's activities in Bridgeton are part of an on-going operation.

Mike Gilhooly denied accusations by local immigrants that ICE officers broke down doors during the sweep, which netted at least two dozen suspected illegal immigrants.

"We did not break down doors," he remarked. "We do not break down doors."

The rumors that ICE officers broke down doors in their efforts to apprehend people is unfounded so far, as local Realtor Bob Thompson said Wednesday none of his properties were damaged.

But the threat of the federal agency's presence in Bridgeton still has the local immigrant community scared.

ICE officers reportedly were not only arresting fugitive immigrants, but any suspected illegal immigrant they came across during their investigation.

Many of the city's immigrant-run businesses this week displayed posters in their store windows advising people of their rights if ICE shows up at their home.

Among those rights is the right to ask for a search warrant.

Christina Ulloa, of the 200 block of Cohansey Street, was unaware of her rights when ICE officers showed up at her home last week.

Four people, including her husband and son, were seized from their home.

Ulloa, who worked with her husband in the Millville Industrial Park, is being held at ICE's Elizabeth Detention Center, according to Pastor Gilbert Hernandez, who visited her at the facility Monday.

According to ICE's Web site, the Elizabeth Detention Center "is a temporary detention center for individuals who are waiting for their immigration status to be determined or who are awaiting repatriation."

The facility is operated by Corrections Corporation of America, a private company based in Nashville.

Hernandez said Ulloa's husband and teenage son are being held at a facility in Kearny, possibly the Hudson County Corrections Center where the N.J. Civil Rights Defense Committee reports a number of detainees are held.

"(Ulloa) said they're going to keep them (locked up) for two months and then send them to Mexico," Hernandez said.

Ulloa's son is from Guatamala, he added.

"(Ulloa) wanted me to buy her a ticket so she could go right away (to Mexico)," Hernandez said. "But if I buy the ticket or the government buys the ticket, she's still going back to Mexico."

It's unknown if ICE is still conducting operations in the Bridgeton area.

It was reported last week the federal officers were driving a white and black van with the agency's initials stenciled on its rear.



© 2007 Bridgeton News
© 2007 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.

Many of the city's immigrant-run businesses this week displayed posters in their store windows advising people of their rights if ICE shows up at their home.

Among those rights is the right to ask for a search warrant.

Rights?

guess the stores do not want to loss customers

ICE should be allowed to break down doors. It is cheaper for the taxpayers to pay for a new door than for bills that are due to illegals. Many illegals don't pay their bills due to fact that they are using fake or stolen IDs. If they are using stolen IDs the individual who actually owns the ID is problem with credit for rest of their life.

ICE needs to be able to enforce the law and act like any other law enforcement agency. They might not need to enter with drawn guns but their should be able to enter if illegals are in a house.

It was reported last week the federal officers were driving a white and black van with the agency's initials stenciled on its rear.

Ha hope they shake in their boots everytime they see a van!!!!