Immigration Crackdown: 1,200 Undocumented Workers Detained Across U.S.

[rman]

Democracy Now
Friday, April 21st, 2006
Immigration Crackdown: 1,200 Undocumented Workers Detained Across U.S.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/04/21/132239

On Wednesday evening, immigration authorities rounded up almost 1,200 undocumented immigrants in 26 states in what law enforcement officials say was the culmination of a year-long criminal investigation. The authorities raided the offices and plants of the company IFCO Systems North America which is based in Houston, Texas and makes wooden pallets and crates. Among those arrested were seven current and former managers who were charged with conspiracy to transport, harbor and encourage illegal immigrants to reside in the United States for commercial and financial gain. The managers face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each undocumented worker. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff made the announcement of the arrests yesterday morning.

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[DaveColorado]

1. This is a distraction

from the real shit going on.

It usually works for the Republicans too.

[rman]

2. you mean you think this is not important?

[951-Riverside]

3. They do this about every year

In previous years they have "busted" wal-mart, some stadium in San Diego and I think they took out a bunch of West Europeans in... New York or New Jersey.

Tyson Chicken OTOH remains untouched.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

4. Believe that slaped Tysons with $5000 fine a few years ago

when they got caught tranporting thousands of illegals into the US. Their arrest timing is off - shouldn't they wait til closer to the election.

[951-Riverside]

7. Did you forget two zeros?

Because $5000 is just a slap kiss on the wrist

[MADem]

5. They are ramping up the "catch and remove" AKA "catch and return"

flights in a BIG way, too. I wonder how long it will be before they go after alot of the undocumented Brazilians on Cape Cod, or the Guatemalans and Hondurans in eastern MA.

[SlipperySlope]

6. This is a small start, but there are many more arrests to make.

It will take a lot of hard work to get to 100% ejection.

[matt819]

12. Sure will

At this rate, it would take 27 years, and that's 24x7 and assuming the administrative systems can handle them. You're all dreaming if you think this is going to make a bit of difference.

[RagingInMiami]

15. Dream on

It's a tidal wave that cannot be contained. Comprende?

[Ian David]

8. Don't expect them to go after the big Republican donors / violators...

Outback (Santorum) Steak House
Wal-Mart
Tyson Foods
MBNA
Verizon


http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=&txtState=%28all+states%29&txtZip=&txtEmploy=IFCO+Systems&txtCand=&txt2006=Y&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&Order=N

[EFerrari]

9. We don't know who they are "sweeping". It could be anyone.

This is a nod to the Thug base so Congressman ILoveTheKlan can go home without doing anything real about the immigration situation and face local voters.

We don't know for the most part who was "swept" after 9/11 and we don't know who this thing has caught up. Bet me, there will be stories of US citizens unlawfully detained. I need the money.

[Sapere aude]

10. Like throwing a bone to the anti immigrant dogs

Here doggie, doggie. See we are cracking down on illegals.

[951-Riverside]

11. I just heard most of the people arrested were quickly released

[corporate_mike]

13. naturally

[rman]

14. where did you hear that?