Raids in 6 states may be largest ever (ICE & Homeland Security make 'SWIFT" move.. 1,282 arrests)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 12/13/06 | Jennifer Tanhelm - ap

[Bonaparte]

Gillett, George N Jr. (Booth Creek Management Corp./Chairm), (Zip code: 81657) $5000 to DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE on 01/28/04

I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg.

[ASA Vet]

It will fling 300 pounds. Heavier loads than that would have to be split up into smaller loads.
It would have to be fairly close to the border.
The landings are rough so few would return for a 2nd free flight.

[ASA Vet]

Judges and Lawyers should be on the first flights.

[VeniVidiVici]

Why punish Swift? They followed the correct procedure for checking validity of SS numbers. They haven't even been charged with anything. With the information we have so far, Swift is a victim, not a perpetrator.

And yet when faced with evidence they did hire illegal workers and informed ahead of time that those illegal workers were going to be removed, Swift ran to court to stop Immigration from removing the illegal workers.

They should be shut down and their assets seized.

[Firefish]

Throw his a$$ on the bus too. Get them all the he!! out of my country!

[wolfcreek]

"Board of Swift & Co."


Thanks for the info! Guess is doesn't matter who they contribute to but, why. Bet they didn't give a dime to
Tancredo or Hunter.

[Recall]

This is the biggest bunch of BULL. PLEASE, don't believe our govt is really doing something..

1. ICE told Swift in November they were going to conduct the raids.

2. Swift took it to court (I think that was Dec 4) and lost. They have known since at least Dec 7, the raids were going to take place.

3. Then Swift fired 400 employees prior to the raids. Probably a publicity move (see we are doing something) or maybe workers they wanted to get back on board when things calmed down??

4. And, hundreds didn't show up for work Tuesday as they had also been tipped off. I guess those that were caught was in Swift's eyes "collateral damage."

Btw, I read they took them to S.D.

[Tarkus2040]

I'd say the conversation between Homeland Security and Swift went something like this:

Chertoff: "Okay, you're not in any trouble here. All we want to do is bust a bunch of illegals in order to fool the American public into thinking that Homeland Security and ICE are actually doing something about illegal immigration. Oh, and don't worry about the workers you've lost in the "raid." With a few thousand illegals pouring over the border every day, I'm sure you'll be replenished in no time. After all, there are websites and places they can go to in search of meat processing plants throughout the country. Oh, silly me... you already knew about that. So don't worry none; we'll do our best to keep that desperate flow of "immigrants" comin' in your direction. Feliz Navidad!"

Swift CEO: "Oh thank you, Mr. Chertoff! I was looking forward to giving myself a huge bonus at the end of the year, along with building a multi-million dollar mansion on the French Riviera! Thanks again, Skeletor!"

[Recall]

I'll bet DHS got an anonymous tip.--

***

They have had thousands of tips! There are people calling and faxing. Internet sites have been running a long time that are dedicated to reporting illegals and businesses have beeen set up. And, identity theft has been going on for a long time. I read about a woman in CA who got a letter from the IRS saying she owed over a million dollars. The short version of her story is it took years to get the Feds to do anything even after they knew about it. Turned out her identity was being used in 18 different states (various illegals).

[Recall]

You mean besides the fact they are representative of big business, free trade and make around $9 billion a year (much of which probably greases the palms of political candidates)

[redgolum]

This is pretty local for me, and it is kind of funny what the reactions are. My plant has a number of Hispanics, and they are mad at the ID thieves. Most of the guys at the plant came in fairly legally (one is a Regan amnesty guy).

[Arizona Carolyn]

Only way this problem will be solved... go after the employers.

[AmusedBystander]

Please direct me to those parts of the Constitution dealing with the rights of non-citizen, illegal aliens. Thanks.

The point is that there will be judicial action necessary to show that these are in fact illegal non-citizens who don't have any legal issues that would have to be considered. Just arresting someone proves nothing. So yes they will be afforded the same rights as any citizen and this will grind the judicial system to a halt if it was to be tried by force on 12 million.

So while I am glad to see the feds enforcing the law which in itself will help a bit in deterring other employers, it has about as much chance as Prohibition did or the War on Drugs has.

[TheLion]

Bttt!

[freeangel]

Jeez--I think she ate her parents.

[Rakkasan1]

PLEASE, don't believe our govt is really doing something..

I don't . Just heard on local radio... 65 of those being charged with ID theft were "released on personal recognition"...

[dalereed]

".....Rev. Clarence Sandoval of St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Logan, Utah.......

Who gets his marching orders from a Bishop in direct contact with a Cardinal who gets orders from the vatican"

The Catholic Church should be procecuted under the RICO laws and put out of business!!!

They are all pulling the same thing across this country.

[webster]

Flora Beth De La Garza shouts at immigration police during a raid at a Swift & Company meat processing by Immigration and Custom Enforcement officials in Greeley, Colo., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006. Federal agents raided meat processing plants in six states Tuesday and arrested an unknown number of persons in an identity theft investigation. Hundreds of workers' family members gathered outside the plants, with some trying to deliver documentation to relatives inside. In Greeley, cars lined the street leading to the plant.

[Bonaparte]

Being a "big business" didn't confer immunity on Ken Lay and Enron.