Boston labor union takes issue with Bianco raid methods (Violations of 4th Amendment Rights)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080408/NEWS/804080359

By BECKY W. EVANS
Standard-Times staff writer
April 08, 2008 6:00 AM

BOSTON — The Michael Bianco Inc. raid and its impact on illegal workers and their families was the focus of a public hearing sponsored by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Monday in Boston.

The union has formed a national commission of academics, politicians, and labor and immigrant activists to investigate alleged misconduct and constitutional violations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during recent immigration raids in New Bedford and other cities around the country.

"We have a broken immigration system but that is no excuse for ICE to break the law and violate our constitutional rights," said Joseph T. Hansen, union president and chairman of the National Commission on ICE Misconduct and Violations of 4th Amendment Rights.

Workers, lawyers and community activists involved in the Bianco raid and its aftermath told stories of shackled workers who were separated from their families, teased and taunted by immigration officials and in some cases, forced to sign voluntary deportation waivers.

"The government instilled terror in 500 workers," said the Rev. Marc Fallon of Catholic Social Services. "Most of these people live in neighborhoods that are saturated by heroin, and still the government chooses to target these workers."

Bianco worker Juana Garcia was among the 200 workers flown to detention centers in Texas. She testified that she was separated from her 2-year-old son for nine days despite repeatedly telling immigration agents that she needed to be reunited with the child, who suffers from severe asthma.

FULL story at link.