The Political Winds of May
The Frontera NorteSur News (New Mexico State University), May 4, 2008
http://www.nmsu.edu/~frontera/
The turnouts might have been much smaller than in 2006 when perhaps millions participated in the Great American Boycott, but pro-immigrant and pro-labor actions yesterday still underscored how International Worker’s Day is making a comeback in US political life. In dozens of communities across the US, immigrant advocates and their allies organized diverse actions.
Activists demanded that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) stop raiding workplaces and deporting undocumented workers, and they urged the passage of a comprehensive immigration reform that legalizes workers without papers.
'We sent a letter to President Bush asking for a moratorium on the (ICE) raids while the future of our 12 million brothers and sisters is resolved,' said Tedoro Aguiluz, executive director of Houston’s Central American Resource Center.
Large marches drawing thousands were held in Los Angeles and Chicago, while smaller protests took place in Seattle, Tucson, Milwaukee, Miami, Houston, and Washington, D.C., where activists picketed the Supreme Court and the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties. In El Paso, Texas, immigrant advocates staged a short hunger strike and a march, while in Albuquerque, New Mexico, community members braved the chilly winds to attend a 'family day' celebration convened by the Center for Equality and Rights. At least 30 US cities witnessed a May Day event. Unlike 2007, when Los Angeles police attacked demonstrators and journalists at a May Day rally, this year’s demonstration in California’s largest city proceeded peacefully.
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, a group of 9 women held a creative protest in front of the Santa Fe Hilton, where they were formerly employed as housekeepers. Taping their mouths shut with messages like 'Fired' and 'No rights,' the women charged that they were unfairly dismissed because of worker complaints over hazardous and abusive labor conditions last March. The action by Latina and immigrant workers was supported the non-profit Somos Un Pueblo Unido organization and the Service Employees International Union.
In a phone interview with Frontera Norte Sur, Marcela Diaz, executive director for Somos, said the women approached her group for help after their firings. Complaining of being forced to clean with dangerous chemicals, the former housekeepers told Diaz and the media they were expected to clean 23 rooms during shifts averaging less than 7 hours each.
According to Diaz, the women averaged $9.50-10.50 per hour in a city known for its California-level cost of living The housekeepers’ wages put them just slightly above Santa Fe’s minimum wage of $9.50 per hour, which was achieved after a long struggle by Somos and other living wage advocates.
Diaz said the workers chose May 1 for their public protest to express 'solidarity with workers around the world.' Locally, the former Hilton employees 'felt that Santa Fe should know that Hilton workers are treated that way, and that they are the backbone of the tourist economy in Santa Fe,' she added.
Billed as a renovated, smoke-free hotel situated amid the marvels of culture and history, the Santa Fe Hilton advertises off-season rooms for between $159 and $209 per night. Quoted in the Santa Fe New Mexican, Michael Newbrand, Santa Fe Hilton manager, maintained that the company held 'our employees’ safety and satisfaction in the highest regard and encourages workers to effectively alert management of issues that may affect or have affected their work environment.' Newbrand, however, did not address specific complaints by his ex-workers.
Diaz said her organization has assisted the onetime Hilton employees in filing complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, Employment Equal Opportunity Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Elsewhere, elected officials and other community leaders attended or endorsed different May 1 events. In Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa contended that stepped-up ICE raids not only threatened the livelihoods of 500,000 people employed in the food and other industries, but jeopardized the broader economy as well. Villaraigosa’s stance was shared by Samuel Garrison, vice-president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
'The raids are terrorizing the workers, and they are worrying businessmen. I think that it is going to cause many businesses to think twice before coming to Los Angeles,' Garrison said.
Though May Day 2008 was barely a blip in the US English-language media, it clearly had an impact on the political scene. Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both released statements in favor of immigration reform. Clinton pledged to present a legislative initiative within '100 days of my administration,' while Obama committed to working for a comprehensive immigration law overhaul that would bring 'order and compassion to a system that is broken.' Republican presidential candidate John McCain had no immediate comment on the day’s events.
In an election year, political power was on the minds of May 1 organizers. 'Besides demonstrating on this day, we are in a permanent campaign to have the people vote in November,' said Emma Lozano of the May 1 International Coalition in Chicago. 'May 1 is another step. I estimate we brought together 10,000 people in Chicago, but in November millions of us will march to the polls. I can be sure of this.' For his part, Juan Jose Gutierrez of Latino Movement USA said activists are aiming to get the immigrant legalization issue onto the plank of the Democratic Party at this year’s convention scheduled for Denver, Colorado.
Growing out of a 1886 Chicago strike and the police killing of workers, May Day was purposely downplayed for political reasons in the United States. Instead, the official Labor Day holiday was designated in September. But the 2006 revival of International Worker’s Day as an international day of mass action by the immigrant rights movement set in motion a new political dynamic in the US that’s now touching other sectors.
In another May 1 event that was largely glossed over by the US mass media, 25,000 West Coast longshoremen conducted day-long work stoppages at 29 ports from San Diego to Seattle, or 'border-to-border' as one radio host described it, to protest the war in Iraq. Two years ago, business at West Coast docks was disrupted by truckers who refused deliveries to show their support for the surging immigrant rights movement at the time. Many of the participating truckers were immigrants.
Jack Heyman, an official with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union that sponsored the work stoppage in defiance of an arbitrator’s ruling, said on Pacifica Radio’s Democracy Now program that college students, teachers, truck drivers, postal workers and others in New York, North Carolina and California held small, quiet activities in support of the dock workers. But the 'most stunning act of solidarity' came from Iraqi dock workers who also shut down ports, Heyman said. 'We’re hoping that these kinds of actions will resonate with other unions and workers,' he said.
Santa Fe activist Diaz said smaller events commemorating May Day have taken place for years, but she credited the pro-immigrant movement for pumping new life into an international commemoration that, ironically, began in the US. 'It has gotten more attention lately because of the immigrant rights movement…I hope we continue to bring light to it,' Diaz said.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
2008 May Day Events in New York City
1. THU May 1: May Day Rally for Immigrant & Worker Rights / jueves 1de mayo: Marcha masiva por los derechos de l@s inmigrantes y tod@s l@strabajador@s[texto en español sigue al ingles]
Thursday MAY 1st
Stop the Raids & Deportations Legalization Now · Justice for ALL
MASS RALLY for IMMIGRANT & WORKER RIGHTS
12 pm: Gather at Union Square, 14th Street & Broadway
4 pm: Rally & March
We Say: * Black, Latin@, Asian, Indigenous, Arab, White -- In Unity there is strength. * ICE raids are racist, anti-union and violate immigrant and USworkers' civil rights & divide families. * Jobs & homes, not lay-off and foreclosures. Stop demolition ofpublic housing in New Orleans & everywhere. * No war in Iraq. Bring the troops home now. * Political asylum for Victor Toro. No deportation for Flor Crisostomo. * Money for levees in New Orleans, not the US / Mexico border wall. * Repeal NAFTA, no more U.S. trade agreements that force migration& cause lay-offs here.
Download fliers: English: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1eng.gif
Spanish: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1esp.gif
Jueves PRIMERO DE MAYO
¡Alto a las redadas y deportaciónes!¡Legalización ya! ˜ ¡Justicia para tod@s!
Marcha masiva por los derechos de l@s inmigrantes y tod@s l@s trabajador@s
12 pm: Concentración y programa cultural en Union Square (la plaza deInmigrantes) Calle 14 y Broadway, Manhattan
4 pm: Mitin y Marcha
Digamos: * La unión de africa@s american@s, latin@s, asiátic@s, indigenas,árabes y blanc@s - en la unidad está la fuerza. * Las redadas son racistas, en contra los sindicatos y violan losderechos de l@s inmigrantes y l@s obrer@s nacid@s aquí. Dividen lasfamilias. ¡Basta ya! * Trabajos y viviendas para tod@s, no más despidos y pérdidas denuestros hogares. * No a la guerra en Irak * No a la deportación de Flor Crisóstomo; asilo político para Victor Toro * Dinero para los diques de Nueva Orleáns, no para el muro con México * Defendamos el derecho de la gente a regresar a Nueva Orleáns * Rechazo al Traado de Libre Comercio que implusa la migración
Descargar volantes:español: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1esp.gif
ingles: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1eng.
***
2. THU May 1: 2pm Rally in Chinatown, March to Union Square / jueves 1de mayo: manifestacion en Chinatown, marchar a Union Square
MARCH on May 1st, 2008International Workers' Day
2pm - Rally at Roosevelt Park, Chinatown Grand St. between Forsyth and Chrystie St.-(B/D trains to Grand St.)
3pm - March to Union Square
Equal Rights for All WorkersEQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL WORKERS!DON'T CRIMINALIZE IMMIGRANTS!Join us in a May Day march to unite all workers.Join us to demand:1. Repeal of the Employer Sanctions Provision2. Legislate Equal Rights for All Workers3. Establish a genuine path to citizenship for undocumented
Contact the Break The Chains Campaign
c/o NMASS at(212) 358-0295 nmass@yahoo.com http://www.breakthechainsnow.org/
MARCHA 1ro de Mayo Día Internacional de los Trabajadores¡
Este 1ro de Mayo únete en una marcha para unir a TODOS los trabajadores!
2pmMANIFESTACIÓN EN ROOSEVELT PARK, Chinatown (Grand entre Forsyth yChrystie. Trenes D/B a Grand St.)
3pmMARCHA a UNION SQUAREÚNETE PARA DEMANDAR:Revocación de las Sanciones a los Empleadores.
Marchamos por la unidad entre trabajadores nativos e inmigrantes y para que derechos iguales entre los trabajadores se convierta en una verdadera prioridad nacional.
Contacta la campaña Rompa las Cadenas
c/o NMASS al(212) 358-0295 info@breakthechainsnow.org http://www.breakthechainsnow.org/
Thursday MAY 1st
Stop the Raids & Deportations Legalization Now · Justice for ALL
MASS RALLY for IMMIGRANT & WORKER RIGHTS
12 pm: Gather at Union Square, 14th Street & Broadway
4 pm: Rally & March
We Say: * Black, Latin@, Asian, Indigenous, Arab, White -- In Unity there is strength. * ICE raids are racist, anti-union and violate immigrant and USworkers' civil rights & divide families. * Jobs & homes, not lay-off and foreclosures. Stop demolition ofpublic housing in New Orleans & everywhere. * No war in Iraq. Bring the troops home now. * Political asylum for Victor Toro. No deportation for Flor Crisostomo. * Money for levees in New Orleans, not the US / Mexico border wall. * Repeal NAFTA, no more U.S. trade agreements that force migration& cause lay-offs here.
Download fliers: English: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1eng.gif
Spanish: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1esp.gif
Jueves PRIMERO DE MAYO
¡Alto a las redadas y deportaciónes!¡Legalización ya! ˜ ¡Justicia para tod@s!
Marcha masiva por los derechos de l@s inmigrantes y tod@s l@s trabajador@s
12 pm: Concentración y programa cultural en Union Square (la plaza deInmigrantes) Calle 14 y Broadway, Manhattan
4 pm: Mitin y Marcha
Digamos: * La unión de africa@s american@s, latin@s, asiátic@s, indigenas,árabes y blanc@s - en la unidad está la fuerza. * Las redadas son racistas, en contra los sindicatos y violan losderechos de l@s inmigrantes y l@s obrer@s nacid@s aquí. Dividen lasfamilias. ¡Basta ya! * Trabajos y viviendas para tod@s, no más despidos y pérdidas denuestros hogares. * No a la guerra en Irak * No a la deportación de Flor Crisóstomo; asilo político para Victor Toro * Dinero para los diques de Nueva Orleáns, no para el muro con México * Defendamos el derecho de la gente a regresar a Nueva Orleáns * Rechazo al Traado de Libre Comercio que implusa la migración
Descargar volantes:español: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1esp.gif
ingles: http://www.leftshift.org/may1/pdf08/may1eng.
***
2. THU May 1: 2pm Rally in Chinatown, March to Union Square / jueves 1de mayo: manifestacion en Chinatown, marchar a Union Square
MARCH on May 1st, 2008International Workers' Day
2pm - Rally at Roosevelt Park, Chinatown Grand St. between Forsyth and Chrystie St.-(B/D trains to Grand St.)
3pm - March to Union Square
Equal Rights for All WorkersEQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL WORKERS!DON'T CRIMINALIZE IMMIGRANTS!Join us in a May Day march to unite all workers.Join us to demand:1. Repeal of the Employer Sanctions Provision2. Legislate Equal Rights for All Workers3. Establish a genuine path to citizenship for undocumented
Contact the Break The Chains Campaign
c/o NMASS at(212) 358-0295 nmass@yahoo.com http://www.breakthechainsnow.org/
MARCHA 1ro de Mayo Día Internacional de los Trabajadores¡
Este 1ro de Mayo únete en una marcha para unir a TODOS los trabajadores!
2pmMANIFESTACIÓN EN ROOSEVELT PARK, Chinatown (Grand entre Forsyth yChrystie. Trenes D/B a Grand St.)
3pmMARCHA a UNION SQUAREÚNETE PARA DEMANDAR:Revocación de las Sanciones a los Empleadores.
Marchamos por la unidad entre trabajadores nativos e inmigrantes y para que derechos iguales entre los trabajadores se convierta en una verdadera prioridad nacional.
Contacta la campaña Rompa las Cadenas
c/o NMASS al(212) 358-0295 info@breakthechainsnow.org http://www.breakthechainsnow.org/
INB 4/27/08: Detainees Transferred After Riot
Immigration News Briefs
Vol. 11, No. 9 - April 27, 2008
1. Detainees Transferred After Riot
2. Food Poisoning in Arizona Detention Center?
3. Palestinian Professor Transferred to ICE Custody
4. Georgia: Restaurant Labor Agents Indicted
Immigration News Briefs is a weekly supplement to Weekly News Update on the Americas, published by Nicaragua Solidarity Network, 339 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012; tel 212-674-9499; weeklynewsupdate@gmail.com. INB is also distributed free via email; contact immigrationnewsbriefs@gmail.com to subscribe or unsubscribe. You may reprint or distribute items from INB, but please credit us and tell people how to subscribe.
Immigration News Briefs is posted at http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com. Starting with 2008, INB issues on the blog include clickable links to all available cited sources. Please use the blog to access sources and back issues and to search by key word.
*1. DETAINEES TRANSFERRED AFTER RIOT
On Apr. 22, a riot broke out at the Mira Loma immigration detention center in Lancaster, California, which holds nearly 1,000 immigrants. The riot allegedly involved the South Siders and Paisa gangs, according to a detainee who spoke with the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fired tear gas grenades at the detainees; additional deputies came to the detention center from nearby Lancaster and Palmdale stations to assist the guards with separating detainees. The riot was diffused "within minutes," said Steve Whitmore, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. At least 10 immigrants were taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Virginia Kice. Two detainees suffered serious, though not life-threatening, head injuries during the riot and were taken to a local hospital, Whitmore said, and about 20 other detainees suffered minor injuries. No deputies were injured, said Whitmore. [...]
Read the full article:
http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2008/04/inb-42708-detainees-transferred-after.html
Vol. 11, No. 9 - April 27, 2008
1. Detainees Transferred After Riot
2. Food Poisoning in Arizona Detention Center?
3. Palestinian Professor Transferred to ICE Custody
4. Georgia: Restaurant Labor Agents Indicted
Immigration News Briefs is a weekly supplement to Weekly News Update on the Americas, published by Nicaragua Solidarity Network, 339 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012; tel 212-674-9499; weeklynewsupdate@gmail.com. INB is also distributed free via email; contact immigrationnewsbriefs@gmail.com to subscribe or unsubscribe. You may reprint or distribute items from INB, but please credit us and tell people how to subscribe.
Immigration News Briefs is posted at http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com. Starting with 2008, INB issues on the blog include clickable links to all available cited sources. Please use the blog to access sources and back issues and to search by key word.
*1. DETAINEES TRANSFERRED AFTER RIOT
On Apr. 22, a riot broke out at the Mira Loma immigration detention center in Lancaster, California, which holds nearly 1,000 immigrants. The riot allegedly involved the South Siders and Paisa gangs, according to a detainee who spoke with the Los Angeles Daily Journal. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fired tear gas grenades at the detainees; additional deputies came to the detention center from nearby Lancaster and Palmdale stations to assist the guards with separating detainees. The riot was diffused "within minutes," said Steve Whitmore, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. At least 10 immigrants were taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Virginia Kice. Two detainees suffered serious, though not life-threatening, head injuries during the riot and were taken to a local hospital, Whitmore said, and about 20 other detainees suffered minor injuries. No deputies were injured, said Whitmore. [...]
Read the full article:
http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2008/04/inb-42708-detainees-transferred-after.html
Thursday, April 24, 2008
April Events on Immigration in Brooklyn and Suffolk County
Information and Book Signing
with David Wilson, co-author of
The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers
Saturday, April 26, from 11 am to 2 pm
Fifth Annual Brooklyn Peace Fair
at the Latin America information table
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn
(at Flatbush & DeKalb Aves, Q/R to DeKalb Ave;
2/3/4 to Nevins St; A/C, G Hoyt-Schermerhorn; photo ID required)
Sponsored by Brooklyn For Peace, Student Government Association-LIU Brooklyn Campus
The Peace Fair runs from 11 am to 6 pm and is free and open to the public. It will include presentations by Debbie Almontaser, Eric Adams, Major Owens, and many others. There will be workshops, speakers, a performance showcase, and information tables from community peace and social justice organizations.
Workshops 11 am-2 pm
Plenary session 2 pm-3 pm
Performance showcase 3-6 pm.
Information: iraq@brooklynpeace.org & http://www.brooklynpeace.org/
***
Dialogue on Immigration
with Jane Guskin and David Wilson, authors of
The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers
Tuesday, April 29, at 12:30 pm
Free and open to the public
At Suffolk Community College
Montauk Point Rm, Babylon Student Center
Ammerman Campus, 533 College Rd
Selden, NY
Sponsored by Latinos del Mundo and the Office of Campus Activities
Information: Lisa Melendez, 631-451-4171, melendl@sunysuffolk.edu
with David Wilson, co-author of
The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers
Saturday, April 26, from 11 am to 2 pm
Fifth Annual Brooklyn Peace Fair
at the Latin America information table
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn
(at Flatbush & DeKalb Aves, Q/R to DeKalb Ave;
2/3/4 to Nevins St; A/C, G Hoyt-Schermerhorn; photo ID required)
Sponsored by Brooklyn For Peace, Student Government Association-LIU Brooklyn Campus
The Peace Fair runs from 11 am to 6 pm and is free and open to the public. It will include presentations by Debbie Almontaser, Eric Adams, Major Owens, and many others. There will be workshops, speakers, a performance showcase, and information tables from community peace and social justice organizations.
Workshops 11 am-2 pm
Plenary session 2 pm-3 pm
Performance showcase 3-6 pm.
Information: iraq@brooklynpeace.org & http://www.brooklynpeace.org/
***
Dialogue on Immigration
with Jane Guskin and David Wilson, authors of
The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers
Tuesday, April 29, at 12:30 pm
Free and open to the public
At Suffolk Community College
Montauk Point Rm, Babylon Student Center
Ammerman Campus, 533 College Rd
Selden, NY
Sponsored by Latinos del Mundo and the Office of Campus Activities
Information: Lisa Melendez, 631-451-4171, melendl@sunysuffolk.edu
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Families separated by immigration laws
Perla Trevizo, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
April 16, 2008
[...] Just getting married to a U.S. citizen does not grease the rails to permanent residency, even for someone entering the country legally. And the task gets far more complicated, sometimes impossible, for illegal immigrants. [...]
Read the full article:
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/16/families-separated-immigration-laws/?local
April 16, 2008
[...] Just getting married to a U.S. citizen does not grease the rails to permanent residency, even for someone entering the country legally. And the task gets far more complicated, sometimes impossible, for illegal immigrants. [...]
Read the full article:
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/16/families-separated-immigration-laws/?local
Monday, April 21, 2008
TUE 4/22 & WED 4/23: Dialogues on Immigration in Tacoma, WA
Community Dialogues on Immigration in Tacoma, Washington
with Jane Guskin, co-author of
The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at 7:00 pm
Free and open to the public
at King's Books
218 St. Helens Avenue
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Phone: 253.272.8801 - 877.529.9525 toll free
http://www.kingsbookstore.com/
for info: kingsevents@harbornet.com
Directions: http://www.kingsbookstore.com/directions.html
co-sponsored by United for Peace of Pierce County - http://www.ufppc.org/
***
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at 2:00 pm
Free and open to the public; light refreshments provided
Carwein Auditorium
University of Washington Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, Washington 98402
hosted by UWT ACLU Student Chapter & Latino Student Organization
sponsored by UWT Student Activities Board
***
For more information about the book:
http://thepoliticsofimmigration.org/
http://thepoliticsofimmigration.blogspot.com/
To set up a dialogue in your community, contact the authors at thepoliticsofimmigration@gmail.com
with Jane Guskin, co-author of
The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at 7:00 pm
Free and open to the public
at King's Books
218 St. Helens Avenue
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Phone: 253.272.8801 - 877.529.9525 toll free
http://www.kingsbookstore.com/
for info: kingsevents@harbornet.com
Directions: http://www.kingsbookstore.com/directions.html
co-sponsored by United for Peace of Pierce County - http://www.ufppc.org/
***
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at 2:00 pm
Free and open to the public; light refreshments provided
Carwein Auditorium
University of Washington Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, Washington 98402
hosted by UWT ACLU Student Chapter & Latino Student Organization
sponsored by UWT Student Activities Board
***
For more information about the book:
http://thepoliticsofimmigration.org/
http://thepoliticsofimmigration.blogspot.com/
To set up a dialogue in your community, contact the authors at thepoliticsofimmigration@gmail.com
INB 4/20/08: Over 300 Arrested in Poultry Plant Raids
Immigration News Brief
Vol. 11, No. 8 - April 20, 2008
1. Over 300 Arrested in Poultry Plant Raids
2. 56 Arrests in Restaurant Raids
3. Houston Donut Plant Raided
4. Mississippi Restaurant Raided
5. Iowa Clothing Company Raided
6. Deport Flight to Philippines, Indonesia
7. TPS Extended for Somalis
Immigration News Briefs is a weekly supplement to Weekly News Update on the Americas, published by Nicaragua Solidarity Network, 339 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012; tel 212-674-9499; weeklynewsupdate@gmail.com. INB is also distributed free via email; contact immigrationnewsbriefs@gmail.com to subscribe or unsubscribe. You may reprint or distribute items from INB, but please credit us and tell people how to subscribe. Immigration News Briefs is posted at http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com.
*1. OVER 300 ARRESTED IN POULTRY PLANT RAIDS
Early on Apr. 16, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out coordinated raids on poultry processing plants owned by the Pilgrim's Pride company in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas and West Virginia. A total of 311 workers were arrested, according to figures supplied by ICE in an Apr. 17 news release. At least 91 workers were charged with criminal violations, including false use of a Social Security number and document fraud, and have been turned over to the custody of the US Marshals Service. The other workers arrested are being processed for removal on administrative immigration violations. Of the total number of workers arrested, 58 were released under supervision for humanitarian reasons such as childcare or medical issues. [ICE News Release 4/17/08] Some of the workers were arrested at the plants; others were picked up at their homes. [CBS/AP 4/17/08] All the workers arrested in the operation appear to be from Latin America. In a fact sheet about the raids, ICE said 130 of the arrested workers were from Mexico, 112 from Guatemala, 59 from Honduras, four from El Salvador and one from Colombia; the nationality of five others was listed as unknown. [...]
Read the full article:
http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2008/04/inb-42008-over-300-arrested-in-poultry.html
Vol. 11, No. 8 - April 20, 2008
1. Over 300 Arrested in Poultry Plant Raids
2. 56 Arrests in Restaurant Raids
3. Houston Donut Plant Raided
4. Mississippi Restaurant Raided
5. Iowa Clothing Company Raided
6. Deport Flight to Philippines, Indonesia
7. TPS Extended for Somalis
Immigration News Briefs is a weekly supplement to Weekly News Update on the Americas, published by Nicaragua Solidarity Network, 339 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012; tel 212-674-9499; weeklynewsupdate@gmail.com. INB is also distributed free via email; contact immigrationnewsbriefs@gmail.com to subscribe or unsubscribe. You may reprint or distribute items from INB, but please credit us and tell people how to subscribe. Immigration News Briefs is posted at http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com.
*1. OVER 300 ARRESTED IN POULTRY PLANT RAIDS
Early on Apr. 16, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out coordinated raids on poultry processing plants owned by the Pilgrim's Pride company in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas and West Virginia. A total of 311 workers were arrested, according to figures supplied by ICE in an Apr. 17 news release. At least 91 workers were charged with criminal violations, including false use of a Social Security number and document fraud, and have been turned over to the custody of the US Marshals Service. The other workers arrested are being processed for removal on administrative immigration violations. Of the total number of workers arrested, 58 were released under supervision for humanitarian reasons such as childcare or medical issues. [ICE News Release 4/17/08] Some of the workers were arrested at the plants; others were picked up at their homes. [CBS/AP 4/17/08] All the workers arrested in the operation appear to be from Latin America. In a fact sheet about the raids, ICE said 130 of the arrested workers were from Mexico, 112 from Guatemala, 59 from Honduras, four from El Salvador and one from Colombia; the nationality of five others was listed as unknown. [...]
Read the full article:
http://immigrationnewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2008/04/inb-42008-over-300-arrested-in-poultry.html
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