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Activists worried about immigration raid in Waterloo
WATERLOO (AP) -- Immigration rights activists are concerned that the federal government may be planning an immigration raid on workers in Waterloo similar to one carried out in Marshalltown in 2006.
Several activists gathered Sunday at a Waterloo church and at the home of a local social worker to discuss what they consider to be an impending raid.
Discussions were prompted by an announcement last week that federal officials have leased the National Cattle Congress fairgrounds in Waterloo.
Immigration activists say they fear the fairgrounds is being prepared as a detention center.
Federal officials have refused to comment on whether they're planning an immigration raid.
The government said earlier this month that it leased the cattle congress grounds for a training exercise.
The federal government's lease is approved through May 25.
Doug Miller, general manager of the fairgrounds, said he was not allowed to release many details, but notes that contractors have installed massive generators next to many of the buildings and covered up many of the windows. A number of trailers have also been set up at the site over several weeks.
The activists meeting Sunday discussed strategies for caring for children and identifying detainees after a raid.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement "is not saying anything, and sending the stress level here high," said Sol Varisco-Santini of Catholic Charities in Des Moines.
The information session held at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church after a noon mass in Spanish, included several handouts that detail what people should do when confronted by police, and provided contact information for immigration attorneys in Iowa.
"It's all we can do," Varisco said. "We can't avoid this."
In December 2006, ICE conducted an immigration raid at the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Marshalltown.
Several workers were taken to Camp Dodge in Johnston and held in military barracks.
About 1,280 Swift workers were arrested in Iowa and five other states in the biggest crackdown in history on immigration violations at one company.
Tyson Foods Inc. owns a meatpacking plant in Waterloo.
Several activists gathered Sunday at a Waterloo church and at the home of a local social worker to discuss what they consider to be an impending raid.
Discussions were prompted by an announcement last week that federal officials have leased the National Cattle Congress fairgrounds in Waterloo.
Immigration activists say they fear the fairgrounds is being prepared as a detention center.
Federal officials have refused to comment on whether they're planning an immigration raid.
The government said earlier this month that it leased the cattle congress grounds for a training exercise.
The federal government's lease is approved through May 25.
Doug Miller, general manager of the fairgrounds, said he was not allowed to release many details, but notes that contractors have installed massive generators next to many of the buildings and covered up many of the windows. A number of trailers have also been set up at the site over several weeks.
The activists meeting Sunday discussed strategies for caring for children and identifying detainees after a raid.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement "is not saying anything, and sending the stress level here high," said Sol Varisco-Santini of Catholic Charities in Des Moines.
The information session held at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church after a noon mass in Spanish, included several handouts that detail what people should do when confronted by police, and provided contact information for immigration attorneys in Iowa.
"It's all we can do," Varisco said. "We can't avoid this."
In December 2006, ICE conducted an immigration raid at the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Marshalltown.
Several workers were taken to Camp Dodge in Johnston and held in military barracks.
About 1,280 Swift workers were arrested in Iowa and five other states in the biggest crackdown in history on immigration violations at one company.
Tyson Foods Inc. owns a meatpacking plant in Waterloo.
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kraut wrote on May 11, 2008 9:21 PM:
" My question is why is so many worried about what they are doing on the NCC grounds. If you are legal then don't worry about it and if you are illegal then I hope they do a raid in this area. "
jcbr wrote on May 11, 2008 9:24 PM:
" these illegals are not citzens therefore they have no rights / deport them / nationally the debt for illegals on wellfare housing food stamps is higher than the cost of the 2 wars / if they are 2nd offenders throw them in prison / the American taxpayer needs to stop the free wellfare ride / any employer that hirers them throw them in prison too plus a hefty fine tobe paid back for the illegals wellfare that was used "
saa001 wrote on May 11, 2008 9:54 PM:
" The activist advocating illegal activity should be worried. Anyone who violates the law should be worried that they are going to be caught.
I hope that they do conduct raids at as many locations that they can and round up as many ILLEGAL aliens they can.
Illegal aliens are draining our society resources at an alarming rate. Budgets are drained providing services, hospitals are going out of business providing services, and crimes are increasing all due to illegal aliens.
We are turning into a third world country because of the unchecked illegal aliens pouring into this country.
We should all be supporting these raids. "
I hope that they do conduct raids at as many locations that they can and round up as many ILLEGAL aliens they can.
Illegal aliens are draining our society resources at an alarming rate. Budgets are drained providing services, hospitals are going out of business providing services, and crimes are increasing all due to illegal aliens.
We are turning into a third world country because of the unchecked illegal aliens pouring into this country.
We should all be supporting these raids. "
Beau wrote on May 11, 2008 10:56 PM:
" This is really starting to get funny. Why would anyone worry if they are Legal? Now if you are here illegal then if they are doing a raid I hope they get you. Nobody knows what they are doing here but I doubt if they are going to raid Waterloo. I think they should. The way some are worrying about a raid makes me wonder how many illegals we really have here. If you are not supposed to be here I hope you keep looking over your shoulder because you should be. Sue I know it sounds pretty nasty for me to say that but that is to bad. "
MTF wrote on May 12, 2008 6:16 AM:
" Saa01: "Illegals" are not draining our society-take a look around you, if it were not for recent immigration to Waterloo, downtown would probably have finally been declared dead and gone...they're making some east side neighborhoods safer by bringing families back to the neighborhood AND revitalizing the Catholic church there.
Undocumented people also cannot get welfare, so tell me...how are they a drain?
And here's an idea-if you are unemployed how about taking a good look at yourself and the reason for that rather than blaming whatever outside sources you can pathetically lash out at. Ever hear of a thing called accountability? Or...continue to live in the land of "it's everybody else's fault...." and see how far you get in life. "
Undocumented people also cannot get welfare, so tell me...how are they a drain?
And here's an idea-if you are unemployed how about taking a good look at yourself and the reason for that rather than blaming whatever outside sources you can pathetically lash out at. Ever hear of a thing called accountability? Or...continue to live in the land of "it's everybody else's fault...." and see how far you get in life. "
avee wrote on May 12, 2008 7:12 AM:
" I would hope that the ILLEGALS would be worried and I hope they go home and get in line for legal entry. However, I really hope the employers are just as worried. There should be hefty fines and jail time for the top management. Put a few of the top people in the companies in jail for a while and the problem will stop. Problem is the agri-business has bought so many politicians they will walk with a little slap on the wrist.
"
"
gkb32 wrote on May 12, 2008 7:26 AM:
" In addition to deporting the illegals, I say they need to deport the big wigs at these companies that knowingly hire the illegals. Everyone seems so concerned about the illegals. Well guess what, the illegals wouldn't come here in droves if there wasn't companies hiring cheap labor (in some cases, even shipping them in). The execs of these companies need some serious punishment too in order to send a message to other prospective employers out there. Which will probably never happen since money and the rich run this country and that would cut into the good ole boy pocketbooks. "
just me wrote on May 12, 2008 7:36 AM:
" They are draining our resources by having children with American citizens and then not supporting them so these children end up on food stamps and welfare. That is how they are draining our economy. They are also stealing our social security numbers to get jobs and to get food stamps and welfare. "
Anthony wrote on May 12, 2008 8:49 AM:
" MTF, did you really say ACCOUNTABILITY? Should not all of the illegal immigrants be held accountable for their actions? You see, they DID break the law by coming here, that's how they have come to be ILLEGAL immigrants. And before you go saying anything to me about being unemployed, don't, I have 2 jobs. How about we hold you accountable for supporting people who break the law? Have you been downtown lately, what is revitalizing it is local business owners investing in downtown Waterloo. Show me an illegal immigrant who has made an investment to revitalize downtown Waterloo. Screaming Eagle, Jameson's, Monica's, Paco, Southern Soul, Beck's, etc, etc. I'm pretty sure none of them are here illegally. "
waterloomom wrote on May 12, 2008 8:51 AM:
" If INS wasn't going to do a raid here, they should now because of all the stir it has caused. Obviously there are a lot more illegals here than we all thought. "
saa001 wrote on May 12, 2008 8:57 AM:
" They are drainig our resousrces because of the services we provide to them. While they might not be collecting welfare, there are many other ways that they place a burden on us.
We have to provide bilingual education and they are oftentimes put into a regular classroom without being able to fully understand english. This causes the teacher to concentrate more time in getting ideas and concepts across due to the language barriers. The end result is that citizens and legal residents are not being provided the education that they deserve.
They don't have any helath care so when they need to see a doctor they go to the emergency room where anyone gets treated. Citizens and residents end up paying for their care either through increased taxes or increased costs for our health care. There are hospital emergency rooms going out of business because the hospitals can't afford to keep an emergency room open. When citizens and legal residents do have to go to the emergency room, their wait times are greatly increased due to illegals clogging the system with non-emergency medical needs.
There have been NUMEROUS incidents of illegals committing crimes (other than the one they are committing just by being in this country). Sometimes they flee out of the country and we are unable to extradite them. We house a lot of illegals in prison and we have to build more prisons to house them, pay guards to guard them, and provide melas, entertainment, and health services to those illegals.
Illegals can't drive here legally and when they get into accidents, they usually don't have insurance or flee the scene. This causes an increased insurance costs to everyone else.
These are a few examples of how illegals have been draining our resources. Citizens and legal residents can't keep paying for their criminal actions. "
We have to provide bilingual education and they are oftentimes put into a regular classroom without being able to fully understand english. This causes the teacher to concentrate more time in getting ideas and concepts across due to the language barriers. The end result is that citizens and legal residents are not being provided the education that they deserve.
They don't have any helath care so when they need to see a doctor they go to the emergency room where anyone gets treated. Citizens and residents end up paying for their care either through increased taxes or increased costs for our health care. There are hospital emergency rooms going out of business because the hospitals can't afford to keep an emergency room open. When citizens and legal residents do have to go to the emergency room, their wait times are greatly increased due to illegals clogging the system with non-emergency medical needs.
There have been NUMEROUS incidents of illegals committing crimes (other than the one they are committing just by being in this country). Sometimes they flee out of the country and we are unable to extradite them. We house a lot of illegals in prison and we have to build more prisons to house them, pay guards to guard them, and provide melas, entertainment, and health services to those illegals.
Illegals can't drive here legally and when they get into accidents, they usually don't have insurance or flee the scene. This causes an increased insurance costs to everyone else.
These are a few examples of how illegals have been draining our resources. Citizens and legal residents can't keep paying for their criminal actions. "
jr wrote on May 12, 2008 9:04 AM:
" So all of you that are so smug about being legal, what kind of proof of citizenship do you carry with you at all times? "
leopard_colony wrote on May 12, 2008 9:07 AM:
" Identity theft works for getting welfare as well as jobs. I'm pretty certain that they claim as many deductions as they can at work to avoid paying taxes. On top of it all they get the well paying jobs at places like Swift, while we are stuck with part time jobs with no benefits. "
gmaro wrote on May 12, 2008 9:23 AM:
" MTF- accountability would be to come here legally in the first place wouldn't it? "
GETEM wrote on May 12, 2008 10:28 AM:
"
Lets just get all the people who do not belong here in the United states out of here. We do not need them and will be glad to see them gone..... "
Lets just get all the people who do not belong here in the United states out of here. We do not need them and will be glad to see them gone..... "
GETEM wrote on May 12, 2008 10:30 AM:
"
I hate the Illegals ,Deport the illegals , Send them over to fight the war in Iraq.. Make them understand what it is to be a TRUE american.... "
I hate the Illegals ,Deport the illegals , Send them over to fight the war in Iraq.. Make them understand what it is to be a TRUE american.... "
r4serious wrote on May 12, 2008 10:46 AM:
" WOW, it is amazing to see the lack of knowledge in our community. You complain about them taking your jobs. Last time I looked people weren't braking down the doors at Tyson to get those jobs. I totally agree with MTF, it is good to see atleast one person with some common sense and knowledge on the subject. As far as the education is concerned, you don't think that there are legal students who need the extra help because they don't speak English? "
r4serious wrote on May 12, 2008 10:49 AM:
" Not to mention the fact that I would rather work next to a hard working illegal who comes to work everyday than a lazy American citizen who calls in sick all the time. "
avee wrote on May 12, 2008 11:15 AM:
" I think what we need are sponsor families like "r4serious" to take responsibility for these immigrants (illegals). They can agree under penalty of law to take care of these people and their families and make sure they have adequate housing, food, health care and education for the children. I'm sure these caring people will open up their homes, refrigerators and wallets for the workers and their extended families. If you know for a fact that these people are not a drain on our society then this should not be much of a burden for you. "
GETEM wrote on May 12, 2008 11:27 AM:
" Tell you what r4serious and anyone else out there , we do not need them and if I had to work next to an illegal I would turn him/her in myself. They need to be DEPORTED. "
(return of) joe wrote on May 12, 2008 11:39 AM:
" I have visions of hundreds of American Indians, dressed in their traditional clothing, raiding American homes and businesses and arresting all of the illegals from Europe in the U.S. That would be a great day! "
cire wrote on May 12, 2008 12:10 PM:
" wow, the comments from some of you astound me. You (apparently) think that these illegals should be allowed to stay and work. Which, in turn, tells me that you want an open border and you care nothing at all about the security of our country. Do you even care about laws, for that matter?
If you want to move here, then go through the LEGAL channels to do so. It's not THAT difficult, I have friends from Mexico & England that did so years ago. I simply have no sympathy for the illegals, as they are criminals, nothing more. "
If you want to move here, then go through the LEGAL channels to do so. It's not THAT difficult, I have friends from Mexico & England that did so years ago. I simply have no sympathy for the illegals, as they are criminals, nothing more. "
gramma of 2 wrote on May 12, 2008 12:32 PM:
" If you read the article in todays paper then you will see that illegal immigrants do have rights. That is what was printed today. "
GETEM wrote on May 12, 2008 12:46 PM:
" Here is what I think maybe all the people in here that think they want the Illegals here we should round all you up to and send you back with them...SO THAT WAY YOU CAN ALL BE ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY........ Only one word comes to mind when you say ILLEGAL > DEPORT. "
gmaro wrote on May 12, 2008 1:34 PM:
" Good idea avee. Joe that puts me in a dilemma since my ancestors are Native American and German. "
RUKIDDINGME wrote on May 12, 2008 1:37 PM:
" Hey r4serious - These people working at Tyson's with stolen SSN's are guilty of identity theft! Is that ok with you. Hey Gramma of 2 - what exactly do you totally agree with? The fact that it's apparently ok with r4serious for these people to break the law?
Nobody here has said they are against LEGAL Immigration! It's the ILLEGAL Immigrants who should be held "accountable". These people will not be denied basic human rights!! "
Nobody here has said they are against LEGAL Immigration! It's the ILLEGAL Immigrants who should be held "accountable". These people will not be denied basic human rights!! "
taxpayer wrote on May 12, 2008 1:40 PM:
" What part of ILLEGAL do you people not understand? Send the law breakers home an dif they come legally fine but they are not entitled to rights just because they happen to slip in. If twelve million of them went back to Mexico and demanded reform I think maybe they could do something. Its time to fix their country "
Kramerica wrote on May 12, 2008 1:47 PM:
" those of you advocating we leave illegals alone, let me bring it down to where you are. If someone broke into your home and then........CLEANED IT and trimmed your lawn for you, would you then ignore them? No, you'd still call the police and get them out, wouldn't you? It's not an issue whether they provide something of value, it has to do what it does to the economy based on what they bring wages DOWN to that Americans would otherwise do. The other side of the coin is to ALSO punish the people that hire them and perpetuate the problem. "
class of 93 wrote on May 12, 2008 2:01 PM:
" Taxpayer,
I completely agree with you. The problem is that the liberals have fought so hard in OUR country that the illegals now have more rights here as illegals than they do at home as legals. Maybe our legal system needs to take more of a mexican justice stance on illegals and then let them pick their poison. "
I completely agree with you. The problem is that the liberals have fought so hard in OUR country that the illegals now have more rights here as illegals than they do at home as legals. Maybe our legal system needs to take more of a mexican justice stance on illegals and then let them pick their poison. "
r4serious wrote on May 12, 2008 3:36 PM:
" avee for your information, I work with low income families and it isn't the illegals that you would assume being as you think they are the ones using the system. Most of these people are actually paying more than their share to this country in taxes, they don't file returns which also means they don't get that rebate check either. Cire, I would like to meet your friends because it isn't easy to get in the country legally like you claim. I know families that have been split up for 5 years trying to do it the legal way. "
r4serious wrote on May 12, 2008 3:38 PM:
" For all of you that have problems with Hispanics working the US, then you should start complaining about the Canadians as well. They drive into the US daily to work, but no one is complaining about them taking our jobs. "
r4serious wrote on May 12, 2008 3:42 PM:
" Kramerica...."they bring wages DOWN to that Americans would otherwise do" really. Do you work at Tyson? Would you work in a meat packing plant? If so great, but I doubt most of the people on this web site would bring themselves down to that level of work for any pay. "
iceman wrote on May 12, 2008 5:06 PM:
" This would not be an issue at all if people would respect the laws of our respective country. "
gramma of 2 wrote on May 12, 2008 5:07 PM:
" Hey rukiddingme- fyi, i would rather work with a hard working illegal immigrant than a lazy american. "
MTF wrote on May 12, 2008 5:53 PM:
" Gramma2-I suspect that the mere fact that you would rather work, period, separates you from the majority of the posters here.
You people scare me. What horrible life does one have to lead to be able to so easily generate such a strong vitriolic hatred at a group of people you obviously know nothing about? I'm going to copy and save all of your comments so the next time I'm paying my four figure rent each month instead of complaining, I will get down on my knees and thank God I no longer live in Waterloo.
Leave those poor people alone! "
You people scare me. What horrible life does one have to lead to be able to so easily generate such a strong vitriolic hatred at a group of people you obviously know nothing about? I'm going to copy and save all of your comments so the next time I'm paying my four figure rent each month instead of complaining, I will get down on my knees and thank God I no longer live in Waterloo.
Leave those poor people alone! "
MTF wrote on May 12, 2008 6:03 PM:
" What's wrong with the US Attorney in Iowa, anyway? According to this US Attorney, the US Attorney General should not get involved in these 'raids':
"U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie surprised many at a Dover church public forum when he said sneaking into the United States is not a criminal act.
"Being in this country without proper documentation is not a crime," Christie told more than 60 residents and town officials. "The whole phrase of 'illegal immigrant' connotes that the person, by just being here, is committing a crime."
Being undocumented may be a civil wrong, but it's not a criminal act, Christie said.
"Don't let people make you believe that that's a crime that the U.S. Attorney's Office should be doing something about," he added of entering the country illegally. "It is not."
"
"U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie surprised many at a Dover church public forum when he said sneaking into the United States is not a criminal act.
"Being in this country without proper documentation is not a crime," Christie told more than 60 residents and town officials. "The whole phrase of 'illegal immigrant' connotes that the person, by just being here, is committing a crime."
Being undocumented may be a civil wrong, but it's not a criminal act, Christie said.
"Don't let people make you believe that that's a crime that the U.S. Attorney's Office should be doing something about," he added of entering the country illegally. "It is not."
"
gramma of 2 wrote on May 12, 2008 7:02 PM:
" MTF, I do work. What I am saying is I would also work with an illegal immigrant instead of an American who always calls in sick. Where I work if you are sick you have to find your own replacement and can never find anyone that wants to work. I feel sorry for the children. "
saa001 wrote on May 12, 2008 7:09 PM:
" I am tired about hearing about the "Native American Indians." They too immigrated here. Since humans developed in Africa, every place else that humans are, they are immigrants.
"
"
taxpayer wrote on May 12, 2008 8:11 PM:
" Excuse me but you CANNOT work in this country without a SS #. Stealing one and stealing an identity is illegal. So let me reiterate if they come legally, whether they are canadian, mexican, bosnian there is no problem. But if they are here and have to steal an identity to work they should LEAVE. There is no way anyone and I mean anyone that can defend these actions so stop trying. "
Ha Ha Happy Now wrote on May 13, 2008 10:07 AM:
" Phil Collins sang it best, "It ain't NO fun Being a ILLEGAL ALIEN!!!!!!! Thanks ICE you put my FAITH back in Most of Government, ahhhhhhhhhh my Tax Dollars are really working.HOORAYYYY!!!!!!!!!! "
SH71 wrote on May 13, 2008 11:01 AM:
" To Just Me and others: Lets also deport everyone else who hasn't taken care of their children and are on welfare and food stamps. That will include alot of single moms and deadbeat dads of every race! I dare say there would be many more whites than latinos in that group! While we're at it - let's kick out everyone who ever drank illegally, or to much. Then we could move on to everyone who ever bounced a check (also breaking the law). If we're real lucky then the country will only have the few "rightous ones" left to enjoy it all themselves! "
Tom wrote on May 13, 2008 9:15 PM:
" Let me see if I got this right. The people who think this whole ICE thing is wrong, think that it is alright to enter a country ILLEGALLY? You think it is alright to STEAL someones idenity by have fake social security numbers? You think it is alright to drive with no or very little insurance on your vehicle? You think it is alright not to file income taxes? I just cited 4 criminal offenses that AMERICAN citizens would go to jail and be labeled CRIMINALS if they conducted themselves in this manner. Why should HISPANICS be any different? IF if walks like a duck, must be a duck. Round them ALL up and ship them home in the back of a U HAUL the way they came into the country. If they want to become citizens then enter the country the right way and learn the language and most of all RESPECT OUR FLAG AND COUNTRY!!!!! "
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leopard_colony wrote on May 11, 2008 8:58 PM: