Thread: Advocates criticize federal roundups

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/

I am proud of ICE....good job guys...now...please come to Las Vegas.... MS13 are walking around the streets with guns..... and you call the police to report it and they tell you they are too busy to deal w/immigration issues...WE ARE A SANCTUARY AREA...and the citizens are scared and Reid thinks it is OK and lines his pocket some more....
We need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD JOB ICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The pro-illegal crowd is going to complain at any effort at enforcement of our laws. Cry me a river! These were searches with warrants, and entirely legal and proper! The scofflaws are indignant, because now the laws of America are going to be enforced? Let them howl!