ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SWEEP. Did it help or hurt the immigration cause?

Question

Raids in 6 states may be largest ever
AP - 36 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - More than 1,200 people were arrested in meatpacking plants in six states during raids that federal officials said amounted to the largest-ever workplace crackdown on illegal immigration. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Wednesday the investigation uncovered a "disturbing front" in the war against illegal immigration, in which illegal immigrants are using the identities of U.S. citizens to obtain jobs.

seems like it's an overwhelming victory for the immigration services.
it is about time that these law breakers get taken out of the U.S. labor force. especially the ones that are stealing social security numbers to gain employment.

Answer 1

I hope it scares the hell out of them.

Frankly, I was thrilled with the pick-up and pray it is only the beginning.

I am sick and tired of being afraid to go shopping because of the huge numbers of illegals loitering. Most of the crimes in Utah are committed by illegals....

Answer 2

Okay- I just have to reply to the guy who says remember this when the food costs go up-
Are you foolish enough to believe these illegal aliens are getting paid any less at this plant then their legal counterparts-I can pretty much say not likely.
These illegals were employed as if they were legal they were paid at least minimum wage because they would have to be - their wages were being reported quarterly to the government. Just as yours are.
That is how they were caught- their wages which were earned through the fraudulent use of a ss#.
The company cannot be held liable unless they were told by the SSN Admin to release these individuals and did not. If Swift has completed I9 forms in each employee's file guaranteeing their employment eligibility, they have their a** covered.
But, I am so glad that somebody got this fire lit under somebody's butt-ship them back home along with their families.
Merry Christmas to America

Answer 3

I think that this was quite fair; identities were being stolen in order to get jobs. What if these illegal immigrants wanted to destroy someone's credit score? Innocent people had the potential of being harmed by people who legally should not be here in the first place. Whether someone is here legally or illegally, I don't seem to mind much; however, I believe that stealing someone's identity is crossing the line. It was a step in the right direction.

Answer 4

One: Maybe trying to obtain employment wouldn't be illegal if government made it more accessible. US itself promotes this activity by not providing realistic and ideal ways for this to work. Whoever commented "get a green card" come on!! Do you know this could take years for many people.
Two: I would be willing to bet that some of those valid SSN#'s that were used were probably given by the rightful owner in order for a price, therefore not theft.
Three: I simply cannot fathom that after browsing the web,through various blogs etc., regarding this subject, that not a single one of you who are happy that this has happened has mentioned the children who were left in schools for example not knowing where their parents are. This is what you are shouting hooray for. This disgusts me and you all should be ashamed of yourselves. Just like me, many are probably 1st generation mexican-AMERICANS!!! Would you like it if your kids, nieces, nephews, siblings, etc. were left at school waiting not knowing where you were or what was happening to you? And you have the nerve to say Merry Christmas Americans. This is the kind of Christmas that wish upon me, and those innocent American children? I feel sorry for each and every one of you who unfortunately have no shame or no heart.

Answer 5

Yet only 65 were charged with identity theft, the others are being let off with adminstrative immigration charges, and I suspect that isn't an accurate reflection of the number using other people's ID.

It is a drop in the bucket, unfortunately.

Answer 6

When people work for an employer, they must provide a social security number. What happened in this case is that fraud was commited because these people were using stolen numbers so they could work illegally in this country. It is good that this country is doing something that should have been done along time ago. Too little too late. It is time to penalize the employer heavily in the pocket book.

Answer 7

I'm working hard to see any down side to this action.I am very glad to see that something is being down about this problem.
12/12/2006
The Greeley Tribune
The crowd has begun to die down since the morning. The scene has been sometimes tense, but police have had some success in calming them down.

Andres Guerrero, who teaches Spanish at Aims Community College, joined the protesters. He said, “In ten years we’re going to take over the southland, trust me. “This is our land and always will be our land.”
Reporters have seen several groups of workers being loaded into the second round of buses. They were chained together in groups of 4-5. So far, reporters saw 10-15 people loaded on the buses. Other workers in the plant crowded into the windows to watch what was going on outside.
Other protesters watched from their cars, parked along the west side of U.S. 85.
Two buses have left the Swift Beef & Co. beef packing plant, and two more arrived to take their place. Tribune reporters could see at least a couple dozen people loaded onto the first group of buses before the view was blocked. Officials have not said how many people have been captured in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid so far.

As the buses left, a thinning crowd of 150-200 shouted at Greeley police officers assigned to help control the area.
One man screamed in the face of police: “We’re not going to take this anymore. We’re going to fight back.”
Another yelled: “You break up these families at Christmas time. Give these people some answers.”
Early reports said protesters planned to block the buses exit, but police parked their cars in front of the crowd to prevent that. Crowds pushed down part of a barricade near the entrance to the plant, until SWAT team forces arrived.
http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1762&mode=thread&order=1&thold=0

Answer 8

Don't let it stop the ball rolling now, cause their is much work to be done! Keep up the pressure write the lawmakers at congress.org for what its worth! I hope this is not a token act to hush-up the true public will! We want the laws on the books enforced which involve employers being prosecuted assets seized,prison terms long,Property auction off etc!

Answer 9

I hope hurt the cause for illegals. This HAS TO STOP!


I'd like to know why this is some new disturbing piece of information for homeland security. Where has he been?

He said, “In ten years we’re going to take over the southland, trust me. “This is our land and always will be our land.”

I want to know why this statement isn't taken more seriously by our government. How many times do they have to hear the intent and not wake-up?

Answer 10

It's got to help; maybe it will wake people up that illegal immigration is a crime and it's a crime that involves further crimes when identity theft is involved. To ignore the problem doesn't help matters.