U.S. Agents Raid Fla. Migrant Labor Camp

The Washington Post ^ | 6/5/05 | AP

[adam_az]

EAST PALATKA, Fla. -- Federal agents raided a migrant farm labor camp where homeless men and women were kept in what labor officials called a version of modern-day slavery.

Four people, including the camp's owner, Ronald Evans, face federal charges in a case that officials said is likely to grow. Investigators are looking into alleged environmental violations and drugs found at the camp in Friday's raid.

"The word is out that we are concerned about human trafficking, and we will leave no stone or camp unturned," said Steve Cole, a spokesman for Jacksonville U.S. attorney Paul I. Perez.

Officials said homeless people were recruited to the Evans Labor Camp through offers of room and board, along with alcohol, tobacco and drugs, which they bought on credit. But they never made enough in the field to pay it off, according to an investigative summary.

[lainie]

We make no demands on Mexico whatsoever with regard to this situation. Amazing!

You're right, we don't. But they ARE making demands on us: Mexico Demands Waiver-No Death Penalty Or No Extradition (Denver Police Murder Suspect)

[DoughtyOne]

Yes, you're so right.

[Happy2BMe]

pings . .

Slave labor at it's finest - right here in the Good Ole' USA . ..

=========================================

Federal agents raided a migrant farm labor camp where homeless men and women were kept in what labor officials called a version of modern-day slavery.

[potlatch]

That's amazing! Poor Jeb, another black eye in Florida but I'll bet it's happening other places too.

Might scare some illegals from coming over.

[HiJinx]

Hey, Adam_Az, good find.

[television is just wrong]

When are they coming to Los Angeles??

[potlatch]

I think it would take an army to help California. The illegals are already there and acting up and it may get much worse.

I'm in South Texas and they are already saying they don't want the Minutemen to come. Most of the border in the Southeast area is populated or private land. The West area is more wide open.

[KittyKares]

I read your link. I noticed it is OUR fault, as usual!

Jennifer Allen, executive director of the Border Action Network, a human rights group in Tucson and Nogales, said tighter border enforcement in the United States has forced increased numbers of would-be immigrants looking to escape the poor economic conditions in their countries to seek help from criminal outfits that wind up taking advantage of them, or worse, delivering them into some type of bondage.

"This is a byproduct of the U.S.' own policies," Allen said.

[KittyKares]

Do the private land owners WANT illegals traipsing across their property?

[Happy2BMe]

Of course not. Who wants to be raided 7/24/365?

[potlatch]

I don't know, the article I read just mentioned the highly urban area and private land. I imagine there are some who would like it and some who won't.

There will be more to hear in coming weeks.

[DumpsterDiver]

Have you read this thread yet?

Security, immigration linked (Mexican presidential hopeful Jorge Castañeda)

For the U.S., Mexico and Canada, a secure and prosperous future hinges on an increased level of integration that would create a type of "North American Economic Community," Mexican presidential hopeful Jorge Castañeda told reporters during a speech in San Antonio on Saturday.

"I think the best possible alternative (to the status quo in North American relations) is an intensifying of NAFTA in the direction of a European Economic Community," said Castañeda, referring to the North American Free Trade Agreement and the European Economic Community, a treaty that worked toward the economic integration of several European nations and laid a foundation for the European Union.

[Joe 6-pack]

At least in Florida we can be confident the feds are going after the dangerous ones first...

[kcvl]

Ronald Evans, a veteran East Palatka contractor



http://tinyurl.com/bvjtu



54-52-00002

Evans Labor Camp
Capacity: 85
140 E CRACKER SWAMP Rd;
East Palatka, FL 32131
Owner: RONALD EVANS


http://tinyurl.com/8orfe

[KittyKares]

I did now. I am wondering if Mexico is threatening to let terrorists in if we don't ease the flow of immigrants into the country.

So if the U.S. wants Mexico's cooperation to secure its borders from terrorists, and Mexico wants the U.S.' help to ease the flow of migrants north and south of the border, there is an incentive to work together, Castañeda argued.

[DumpsterDiver]

I am wondering if Mexico is threatening to let terrorists in if we don't ease the flow of immigrants into the country.

If what Castaneda meant is we either make it easier for Mexico's migrants to come north or else we can expect no help from Mexico, then it sounds like a threat to me.

[in the Arena]

BTTT

[international american]

""The word is out that we are concerned about human trafficking"

Yeah, sell it to my next door neighbor, pal.

[CharlieChan]

Joe--I was trying to think of a single accomplishment made by Bill Clinton. Thanks to the photo I now remember what it was. He deported one (1) illegal? alien, at gunpoint, and a kid at that.

[Joe 6-pack]

You forget that he also brought in the Riadys as his personal advisers on the issue of human trafficking.