Contrary to the hyperbolic claims by pro-illegal-immigrant activists that reducing illegal immigration would require concentration-camp-style round-ups and mass deportations, it looks like simply stepping up traditional enforcement and deportation processes might be enough to do the trick.
TAR HEEL — The 21 Smithfield Packing Co. employees arrested by immigration officials while they worked Wednesday are in the process of being deported.The 20 men and one woman arrested were moved Thursday from the Mecklenburg County Jail to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga., nearly 700 miles from Tar Heel.
Meanwhile, church officials within the region’s Hispanic community and spokespeople with the United Food & Commercial Workers union said the workers’ families didn’t know where they were and other immigrant workers were terrified of more arrests.
Production at the plant was substantially diminished Thursday as workers stayed away.
“There are hundreds of immigrant families who will have to decide, ‘Do I show up to work (Friday) and risk being arrested by immigration?’†said Eduardo Pena, a spokesman for the union, which became an unofficial hub of information for workers Thursday, he said.
It's good that they're scared, because they're breaking the law. If these minor actions are enough to destabilize the security of illegal immigrants, maybe they'll leave and take their families with them. Even if each illegal worker only faces a 1% chance of deportation per year, that's probably significant enough that they wouldn't bring their families over the border with them. Ratchet the percentage high enough and people will figure that it's too much trouble to sneak into the country just to get sent back once they get settled, so they won't.
"A DIFFERENT STORY" or "What is being done in your name; you, the American people."
Seven years ago, my 20year old son left England (UK) to marry a very sweet American girl and to hopefully start a new life in the New World. He has lived in the USA ever since, applying through Immigration for citizenship, complying with all laws and regulations and hoping to soon be permitted to become an American Citizen. He has worked hard and is currently half-way through a Degree Course at the University of North Carolina.
A couple of months ago he failed to receive a letter from USICS telling him of an Immigration hearing so naturally wasn't able to attend the hearing. The next letter from Immigration DID arrive... telling him that he was now going to be DEPORTED!
Completely shocked, he went straight to USICS personally to sort this clerical error out, but was told that the Dept of Homeland Security was dealing with it. He went straight away to the USDHS to sort out the problem, but was immediately arrested (and I mean IMMEDIATELY, with NO investigation) and put into the criminal prison in Mecklenburg, Charlotte NC. His wife was not able to speak to him for the next six days and then only permitted 1/2 hour, through glass. She engaged a lawyer, although really unable to afford it.
Then, unknown to her (or to his lawyer) he was suddenly transferred to Stewart Detention Center, Lumpkin GA. He has no money or phone card (it was sent to him at Charlotte but he left prior to its' arrival).
Remember, this young man HAS COMMITTED NO OFFENCE. He has done nothing wrong. He has complied with all laws. He has done all that you, the American People, have asked of him. Yet he has been summarily arrested, held in detention, and faces almost immediate deportation unless he (or a lawyer) is lucky enough to convince a judge that this is all just the ghastly mistake that it really is.
If you believe that "Stepping up traditional enforcement and deportation processes might be enough...", the dreadful story above shows what a huge lie that is. Illegal Immigration is one thing, but when the law-abiding get treated in the same way, something has gone VERY wrong in the administration of American justice.
I would be grateful if ANYONE could give me advice on how to help my dear Son achieve justice - NOT 'special privileges', NOT 'strings to be pulled on his behalf', NOT 'special treatment', just the application of good sense and JUSTICE.
I hope this nightmare ends soon.
Thank you.
Barry C. Brown