Illegal Immigrants Rounded Up by Homeland Security in NY, Mass.

[adigal]

For some reason, this story made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Perhaps it is because the round-up of illegal immigrants was done by "Homeland Security" even though it was only about 7 immigrants according to the audio I heard. It was a long term "sting," seems like a waste of taxpayer money for 7 illegals in the Albany, NY area. The participation of Homeland Security, though, plus that it was done in about 4 other areas, made me feel uneasy, as though this is being practiced in the northeast, where we are not as sensitive about these issues as those in states with more immigrants, in order to prepare for this in other areas.

http://www.wgy.com/...

The story was trumpeted on 810 WGY Albany, a right wing station that carries Limbaugh, Hannity and Savage every day, and also changed from ABC or NBC news to Fox News about a year ago. They had this story as one of their top stories on every 1/2 hour.

"FEDERAL OFFICIALS NOT SAYING MUCH, BUT AGENTS ARE ROUNDING UP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AT THE NORTHEAST INDUSTRIAL PARK IN GUILDERLAND CENTER. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN ALBANY CONFIRMS THAT THEY ARE DETAINING ILLEGALS, BUT IS NOT COMMENTING FURTHER. THERE'S NO INDICATION WHICH COMPANY IN THE PARK IS BEING TARGETED. THERE ARE ABOUT 15 WAREHOUSES IN THE GUILDERLAND COMPLEX, ALONG WITH SEVERAL SMALLER BUILDINGS."

The story said that similar round-ups had gone on in other parts of NY, Massachusetts, and one other state, I think. I just heard this part, and was not paying close attention with the 4 kids in my car, so if you heard, could you add to this??

If anyone has any other information about these round-ups going on frequently, please post it. Also, if anyone is bilingual and has contacts in the Spanish press or media, could you send this story to them?? I am really very worried about what is going on here, and how it might translate to other parts of the country.

[Rosemary2205]

1. Atlanta GA and Houston TX too.

they'll take them all to the local jail, bond them out then none of them will come to court and will all disappear back into the population.

[Berry Cool]

3. Don't be so sure of that.

Check this out...from another thread...Keith Olbermann referred to it tonight...

http://www.sianews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2816

This frightens me.

[adigal]

6. I just read that too

I have two thoughts:

1. They are really trying to quietly round up illegal immigrants and will either put them in prison "camps."

2. They are practicing for us.

I am not a paranoid person. I was a Republican 2 years ago. And I truly fear these people.

[0007]

12. "2. They are practicing for us." DUers or the illegal immigrants?

[adigal]

14. Do you really think so???

Well, if that is true, I live in NY, in the middle of a 6 million acre wilderness, near Canada, so any DUers who want to get in touch with me, send me a message.

[0007]

16. If I were 30 years younger, I contact you in a heart beat.

I'm 73 and just about at the end. I do thank you and wish you good luck.

[adigal]

21. Just keep voting

that is the most important thing we can all do. Vote.

[0007]

24. I do and work for the Democratic party where we have a big

meeting tonight.

[RebelOne]

25. That link doesn't work.

[Karenina]

26. From 2002...

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0233/solomon.php

The Gatekeeper: Watch on the INS
by Alisa Solomon
Detainees Equal Dollars
The Rise in Immigrant Incarcerations drives a prison boom
August 14 - 20, 2002

t was a shaky spring for the correctional workers of Hastings, Nebraska (pop. 24,064), as the stagnation in the nation's prison population and the increasingly high costs of incarceration jostled the sleepy town, some two hours' drive from Lincoln. On April 9, the 84 employees of the Hastings Correctional Center were told that the 186-bed facility would be closing at the end of June. State funds were scraping bottom, and the $2.5 million annual price tag for the prison was too big a burden to carry. "We really didn't know what we would do," says Jim Morgan, who had been working at HCC for 15 years and lives to this day in the house where he was born. "There aren't a lot of job opportunities out here, and most of us have homes and kids and couldn't even think about moving somewhere else." For two months, the workers scrambled, filling out applications at nearby meatpacking and cardboard-container plants and anticipating long hours in the unemployment office.

Then salvation came from, of all places, the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Days after HCC closed as a state prison in June, it reopened as an INS detention center.

"It's a win-win," says Morgan. The INS is desperate for more beds for its ever expanding detainee population. And the state of Nebraska, collecting $65 per detainee per day from the INS, rakes in more than $1 million a year over and above the cost of running the place.
County jailers have long known that housing INS detainees pumps easy income into the coffers. Nearly 900 facilities around the country provide beds for the INS, and in interviews over the years, several county sheriffs and wardens have described such detainees as a "cash crop."

<snip>

Now, in places like Hastings all around the country, prisons are seeking to cut such deals on a larger scale. At the end of July the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported a decline in the state prison population, reversing a decade-long trend that produced a prison-building boom across America. The only incarcerated populations sustaining reliable growth now are INS detainees and federal prisoners, many of them noncitizens. Those with an interest in keeping multitudes behind bars—whether public employees working in the prisons that expanded in the '90s, or for-profit companies that have seen their stock prices plunge in the last couple of years—are coming to regard immigrants as their redeemers.

[madeline_con]

2. So, all the pics and video....

and they've only identified 7?! :eyes:

[MADem]

4. It makes people who don't like the situation believe that something is

being done...

[Cobalt Violet]

5. Seven executives?

It could be this story.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2236943

[adigal]

7. Yes - thanks!! That is the story, but the radio story

said that they also detained immigrants. So did they detain both the executives and the immigrants?? If that is so, I feel less worried about this.

[Breeze54]

53. Yes! Six of seven mangers charged with felony conspiracy to harbor..

http://www.click2houston.com/news/8859806/detail.html
1,100 Arrested In Illegal Immigrant Crackdown
46 IFCO Systems Offices Raided

POSTED: 2:49 pm CDT April 20, 2006
UPDATED: 3:08 pm CDT April 20, 2006

HOUSTON --
A Houston-area company targeted during an illegal immigrant crackdown Wednesday
was raided in nine states, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Forty-six offices of IFCO Systems, which makes crates and pallets, were raided.
Two of the raids took place in Houston, where the company is based.
More than 1,100 arrests were made, with seven of them former or current managers.

snip-->Six of seven current and former IFCO managers charged with felony conspiracy
to harbor illegal aliens were released on bond and are to appear May 4 in Albany, N.Y.,where
the criminal complaint was filed and the investigation began at a suburban IFCO facility.

The managers could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each alien involved,
as well as forfeitures. <--snip

[Selatius]

8. What a huge waste of resources.

We could be devoting that energy to actually putting in place common sense border security measures instead of doing this.

[NorthernSpy]

19. actually, this IS a "common sense border security measure"...

We could be devoting that energy to actually putting in place common sense border security measures instead of doing this.

We're finally enforcing the law against hiring illegals -- which (if this current effort is taken far enough) will help to secure our border by reducing the incentive for crossing it. When employers become too afraid to break the law, the demand for illegal labour is reduced, and fewer people break into the country -- hence greater border security.

The pro-illegal labor side always call ANY attempt to enforce the law a "waste" of money. I suspect that their real objection is that it might actually work and the trespassers might actually end up leaving -- which they don't want.

[Selatius]

23. It's a half-measure at best, thus a waste of resources

You'll never have a grip on immigration in this country if you never address border, port, airport, and coastal security. You've got to have security in place for there to be any meaningful immigration policy.

I'm not saying don't bust businesses that hire them, but what I am saying is you should not just only bust these businesses but also secure the border at the same time.

[RagingInMiami]

9. Ah yes

"The War on Immigration" is starting up. And, of course, it's republicans who are leading the charge with solid support from the masses.

[joemurphy]

11. It's terrible. In Indy they arrested around 80 people.

Some were mothers and fathers. Their U.S. born kids were home. Now what?
Do the kids go on welfare? If so, nice work.

Hassling illegal Hispanics. Do you feel safer, America? Are your jobs more secure?

[RagingInMiami]

13. They did a huge "round up" in Chandler, Arizona a few years

Which resulted in thousands of dollars in lawsuits against the city because they started harassing anybody who looked Mexican, regardless of the immigration status.

[Karenina]

30. The "groundwork" has been going on for YEARS

See my post upthread...

I've got another article in the cyberkeller about the massive prison complexes built in MO. The infrastructure is in place.

[joemurphy]

10. Add Indianapolis, Indiana. Something's up

[adigal]

15. What is going on?? Those camps by Halliburton?

We need to piece this together.

[BadgerKid]

17. Immigration agents raid Southside plant

By Tania E. Lopez
[e-mail]
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested suspected illegal immigrants today at an Indianapolis pallet-making plant as part of a series of raids nationwide.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060419/LOCAL/60419045

[smacky44]

18. Bush and Republicans pulling a PR stunt to give the impression that

they are being tough on illegal immigration when all the time they want the cheap labor for their corporate buddies and their stock portfoliios.

[adigal]

20. I hope this is just a PR stunt

and not the beginning of a new policy.

[corporate_mike]

22. Hundreds nabbed in immigration raid

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12393925/

[KeepItReal]

27. Let me guess...that company ain't big donors to the GOP...

...but what do I know?

[Chiyo-chichi]

28. I'm wondering why this isn't a bigger topic on DU today.

Immigration raids in nine states.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060420/ap_on_go_ot/immigration_raids_4

"Raids took place at several locations in upstate New York and in Biglerville, Pa., Charlotte, N.C., Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Richmond, Va., and Westborough, Mass."

[earthmama]

29. wondering the same ..

Seems fishy to me that this all happened on the same day. So clear it was planned ... why? who?

[Chiyo-chichi]

31. Immigrations & Customs Enforcement + Homeland Secutiry

ICE & HSA were to have a news conference today outlining a new enforcement strategy that goes after employers of illegal immigrants.

Obviously, this round up was intended to send a message.

[RagingInMiami]

32. Because very few DUers object to those raids

First they came for the immigrants, but I did not speak out because I was not an immigrant

[Karenina]

33. Then...

[RebelOne]

35. Well, I am one of the DUers who does not condemn these raids.

I live in the midst of many illegals and would love to see them gone. Sorry ir it sounds heartless, but if you have had the Hispanic neighbors from hell that I have, you would understand.

[RagingInMiami]

38. I don't understand how raids on illegal immigrants throughout the country

Help ease the situation with your neighbors from hell.

[SlipperySlope]

36. I *support* these raids.

I support any activity by our Federal government that leads to the arrest and deportation of illegal aliens.

I do not support any Republican effort to give these people a path to stay in the United States. In fact, by virtue of their coming here illegally in the first place, I believe that they should be permanently ineligible to ever apply for legal status.

It should be made very clear to these people that if they are arrested in this country again, they will be lucky to ever see anything but the inside of a prison cell for the rest of their lives.

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SlipperySlope]

40. Race has nothing to do with it.

If you are here legally, or you are a citizen, I've got no beef with you.

You here illegally, you deserve to be severely punished. I don't give a flip if you are here illegally from Canada, Mexico, or Uzbekistan.

So don't go playing the race card. Comprende, cabron?

[RagingInMiami]

42. "You deserve to be severely punished" for a misdemeanor?

[NNN0LHI]

55. Yea there ain't no racism around here or nothing. Honest n/t

[Berserker]

49. Well here it is

the race card in all it's beautiful ignorant splendor. If people don't agree with the millions of ILLEGALS in this country we are racist or white supremacist? How shallow is that to start name calling because we don't agree.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SlipperySlope]

45. What does that have to do with corporations, amigo?

Tough cookies for you. Go join your republican buddies if you want those illegals given amnesty.

[RagingInMiami]

47. You tell me what this has to do with corporations

And nice try at trying to switch the tables to tell me that I am the one with republican buddies.

[intheflow]

52. I hardly think suggesting that siding with the illegals

makes a DUer Republican. Considering the RW has been leading the charge against so-called illegals since the beginning of the nation. I'd say the vast majority of Americans who are against dehumanizing treatment of anyone--including illegal immigrants--are progressive, and thus, Democratically leaning. The only reason the Republicans are waffling now is to suit their own greed--the need for cheap labor. It has nothing to do with dehumanization in a democracy, which is what the left worries about.

[The Magistrate]

56. As A Matter Of Curiousity, Mr. Slope

Have you given any thought to the mechanics of actually arresting and imprisoning for life several millions of foreign citizens?

Examined from a practical point of view, as opposed to the mere venting of spleen by ferocious language for one's private amusement, it is a rather daunting prospect....

[intheflow]

51. I want to know, too.

This thread is too old for me to recommend it, but this is something I want as many people as possible to hear about.

[BrightKnight]

34. NY and Massachusetts are not obvious choices - n/t

[Greyskye]

37. Operation "ENDGAME"

Here is a link to what I believe is going on. The title of this document is:

ENDGAME
Office of Detention and Removal Strategic Plan, 2003-2012

Detention and Removal Stategy for a Secure Homeland

From the opening statement:

As the title implies, DRO provides the endgame to immigration enforcement and that is the removal of all removable aliens. This is also the essence of our mission statement and the "golden measure" of our success. We must endeavor to maintain the integrity of the immigration process and protect our homeland by ensuring that every alien who is ordered removed, and can be, departs the United States as quickly and effectively as practicable. We must strive for 100% removal rate.

Emphasis above is mine. 49 pages total.

http://www.ice.gov/doclib/pi/dro/endgame.pdf

[SlipperySlope]

41. Do you think they can do it?

100% removal rate is an admirable goal, but I don't think they can do it. I'd be thrilled if they could get upwards of 95% though.

[RagingInMiami]

44. You saw the protests

That is just the beginning of things to come. And I applaud every minute of it.

It must suck to be you.

[SlipperySlope]

46. They can protest all they want...

In the end, it will make it easier to round them up and ship them home.

[RagingInMiami]

48. With what army?

[SlipperySlope]

57. With this one to start with:

www.army.mil

[RagingInMiami]

58. Um ...

They're in Iraq and Afghanistan and soon to be in Iran. To pursue your fantasy of fighting a four-front war, we would have to instill the draft.

Hey, maybe they can draft the illegal immigrants!

[SlipperySlope]

59. No problem

Reinstate the draft, do a 100% callup of the national guard, militarize all state police forces. I've got no problem with any of that.

Although, personally, I don't think any of that is necessary. The Army we've got is fine for the task.

And now that you mention it, once the illegals are rounded up, dropping them off in Iraq might be a good idea. Makes it a lot less likely they will "accidentally" find their way back across the US border.

Peace out!

[RagingInMiami]

61. I take it you're not of draft age

[SlipperySlope]

62. I take it you support illegal immigration.

[RagingInMiami]

63. Oh, what ever gave you that idea?

:sarcasm:

[Maestro]

50. I wonder how much these business are going to be fined.

Meanwhile families are being broken up without due process in many cases even though the 14th Amendment does indeed protect the rights of all persons within the US. In fact, as some of you know, I work with immigrants on a daily basis. A friend I supervise at my job is Chilean. He received a call last night from the wife of one of his friends. She stated her husband and been rounded up and deported. The only problem is that he was here legally working for crap wages at a warehouse with other undocumented workers. The friend's English is very low so when the INS or Homeland Security did the raid, he initially couldn't defend himself well by saying he was legal. When an interpreter arrived he was asked for his papers. He didn't have them. The interpreter then asked for home country. He stated Mexico. The INS took him to jail. He sat a few hours without access to a phone. If he had been given access, he could have called his wife to get the paperwork he needed. He couldn't. The INS later took him to a bus which then took him to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. From there he called his wife who is now driving to NL, Mex to present his legal papers to get him back into the country. I guess it is guilt by association. :eyes: This fixes nothing. All the way, people are continuing to be hurt while cheap labor conservatives get richer with an occasional slap on the wrists.

[SlipperySlope]

60. I think the fines should be...

I think the fines should be something along the lines of one year's gross income per illegal found to be in your employ. Hire ten illegals, there goes ten years of income.

[msgadget]

54. Okay, so the big immigration debate was just a chuckle...?

A big ol' divisive distraction? Evidently they had wherewithal to do this anytime they felt like it...