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Maine: Search for illegal aliens alienates city
MaineToday.com ^ | January 30, 2004 | Bill Nemitz

Posted on 01/31/2004 5:56:03 AM PST by SheLion

Their boss insists that they're not trying to act like jerks. It's just that the border patrol agents who descended on Portland last weekend are new to Maine and, this being the dead of winter and all, they apparently can't help themselves.

"A lot of our agents are just off the southern (U.S.) border and there's a different atmosphere down there," said Monte J. Bennett, assistant chief patrol agent for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in Houlton. "There are a lot more numbers down there. Things are more aggressive."

In other words, if you're an immigrant in Maine these days, you'd best double-check your papers before you go anywhere and learn to say "Yes, sir" and "No, sir" to anyone in a black uniform and boots. And oh yes, try not to look suspicious.

"My business is down 80 percent since Saturday," lamented Juan Gonzalez, owner of La Bodega Latina Grocery Store on Congress Street. "Customers call me on the phone saying, 'Is it clear? Can we come down?' People are really afraid."

According to bureau spokesman Bennett, what happened Saturday in Portland was a typical "transportation sweep" in which federal agents - many recently transferred here as part of a south-to-north shift in homeland security forces - visited Portland's airport, train and bus stations in search of illegal aliens.

They netted 10 people whose papers failed to pass muster. At the same time, they left Portland's hard-won reputation as an immigrant-friendly city in tatters.

Nasir Ahmed was behind the counter at Amei Halaal Market on St. John Street when agents walked in and told everyone, employees and customers alike, to get out their passports and green cards. Ahmed said some patrons eating lunch in the Somali market bolted out the back door - not because they were undocumented, but because they were scared to death.

"How would you feel if you went to McDonald's and got asked for ID while you were eating your food? That's what happened here," Ahmed asked. "Now, less people come in. We lost a lot of customers."

Mohammed Barre, who was in the store at the time, said much of the anxiety could have been avoided if the agents had clearly identified themselves (several eyewitnesses said they didn't) and, before coming through the door, had taken the chips off their shoulders.

"Unfriendly," Barre replied when asked to describe the agents' demeanor. "Very unfriendly."

Bennett insisted that the operation targeted only Portland's "transportation hubs," not its immigrant enclaves. He added, however, that the agents will investigate anything "that needs investigating."

Would two stores with foreign names, frequented by people with dark skin, each a block or two from the Vermont Transit bus station "need investigating"?

"Based solely on that, no," Bennett replied. "They go more by people's mannerisms."

Thus, we are asked to believe, it was a citywide outbreak of "mannerisms" that attracted agents to Amei Halaal Market, La Bodega Latina and even the Preble Street Resource Center, where director Mark Swann has vowed that the next time agents show up, they'll be asked for a search warrant.

(Lest we all think the agents' attitudes began and ended with immigrants, consider my daughter's welcome Saturday upon arriving in Portland by bus from Boston: After she gave a border agent her license, he demanded her passport. She correctly told him that U.S. citizens don't need passports for interstate travel. "Let me give you a word of advice," he replied tersely. "You need to learn to watch your mouth.")

Where all this tension goes from here is anyone's guess.

Meetings are already being held among Portland's immigrant elders and leaders. And the Latino Health and Community Service has called off its Feb. 14 health fair because, director John Connors explained, "I'm not going to put up posters telling these guys we're going to have a bunch of minorities and immigrants showing up at a particular time and place."

Bennett calls such fears unfounded. If confronted by a federal agent, he said, all anyone has to do is "be friendly, be straightforward and answer their questions."

And above all, watch your mannerisms.

Columnist Bill Nemitz can be contacted at 791-6323 or at: bnemitz@pressherald.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: Maine
KEYWORDS: aliens; authorities; illegal; search; seizure; terror
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To: ItisaReligionofPeace
I didn't know that Jews were sent to gas chambers from the very beginning.

I agree people who are here illegally should not be sent to gas chambers or concentration camps --- just quickly send them back home --- I think they need to be sent back until the learn to make the choice to obey immigration and travel laws of this country. I don't believe in open borders and that anyone in the world has a right to just come here and stay here --- often at taxpayer expense.

101 posted on 01/31/2004 7:39:11 AM PST by FITZ
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To: ItisaReligionofPeace
My point is that one the government has the powr to do certain things, it is very hard to get the government to give up the power.

I don't know about that. Used to be the government had the power to force every child to go to a either a government school or a private school meeting set curricular requirements. Now, in many states, home schooling means that it is up to each indivual parent.

Another example: In the time of our founding fathers, the government had the power to know how you voted. Now it is a big secret.

102 posted on 01/31/2004 7:40:10 AM PST by Steve Eisenberg
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To: metoooo
whats wrong with enforcing the laws of the land and maintaining the nation's security...

What's wrong? I don't think there IS anything wrong! America needs to get back to where it used to be......although I doubt if that will ever happen.

103 posted on 01/31/2004 7:41:35 AM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: cyborg

Yes, it definitely makes a difference where you live. After a ranch family was murdered by illegals in West Texas a couple of weeks ago, my sister and her whole family are getting their gun permits and intend to carry at all times. As one of our presidents once said, "It's prudent." Of course, this scourge could be coming to your town next, courtesy of your politically correct local government or a factory or packing plant that wants to import cheap labor, so don't feel too safe.
104 posted on 01/31/2004 7:42:19 AM PST by kittymyrib
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To: cyborg
I read an article here on FR that the Somalians in Maine are given automobiles, or at least there was a discussion about if they should be given automobiles. There was also an article about an American girl being gang raped by Somlians.

That doesn't mean they are all criminals, it means we should ask at what point the price becomes too high to help foreigners and weigh that cost against what it costs American citizens to show compassion. If it means that harmless Somolians should have to fend for themselves in their own country rather than expose a fellow citizen to the danger and emotional trauma of rape, then Somlians need to stay home.
105 posted on 01/31/2004 7:42:44 AM PST by MissAmericanPie
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To: SheLion
Northern Maine is one of the nicest vacation spots in the world (summer time). The wife and I love the Millinocket to Greenville area. Are we going to have to be rousted because of our very southern accents.

We'll try our luck on the lake the lord made on the eighth day of creation again this summer.

Maine is too peaceful and beautiful to have such crap as this allowed to become accepted as truthful.

Hope you catch this LEO.

so long for now
106 posted on 01/31/2004 7:42:57 AM PST by palmerizedCaddis (What is a RODHAM?)
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To: MissAmericanPie
Oh yeah, their kids get to pay in state tuition and get twenty points added to their college entrance exam so they can beat your kid out of a place in class.

Plus: Governor Baldacci, who is a DemocRAT brought them in and took them right to registration..........to register as MORE DemocRATS. heh!

107 posted on 01/31/2004 7:44:05 AM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: kittymyrib
Who said I feel safe? No one is really 'safe' anywhere. That doesn't mean I want government agents accosting me for my ID because I may 'look like the type'.
108 posted on 01/31/2004 7:44:51 AM PST by cyborg
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To: risk
"Is this evidence that things are finally turning around, and that despite decades of poor enforcement and amnesties for illegals, we are now going back to the rule of law?"

While I would love to believe that, in today's world of professional offendees backed by judicial activists, I fear it will just be the foundation for yet another officially outraged group that will be afforded "protected: status.

109 posted on 01/31/2004 7:46:28 AM PST by sweetliberty ("Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.")
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To: sweetliberty
Are we supposed to feel bad that the poor illegals are being harassed by the nasty ol' border patrol instead of being given a wink and a free pass?

I'm sorry if they think this is racial profiling. But guess who got us on 9-11? It wasn't no blond hair babes, that's for sure.

Most people who are from overseas do not LOOK like Americans. Their mannerisms give them away.

I'm not for the Feds to be tearing down my door to search me, but I have nothing to hide. I do not fear them. And I have no reason to think they would ever come knocking on MY door.

110 posted on 01/31/2004 7:47:11 AM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: risk
"...now going back to the rule of law?"...

In three words--I doubt it.

in two words--Probably not.

In a word--No!

And of course, this article is dead set gainst law enforcement--it's unfriendly! Good grief!

vaudine
111 posted on 01/31/2004 7:47:23 AM PST by vaudine
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To: MissAmericanPie
The INS needs to go back to way things used to be, background checking and all that. We'd not need a lot of this overcompensation or geez WTC towers falling if the government did their job in the first place. Not every Somalian is being oppressed, so it should be on a case by case basis as with every other asylum seeking nation.

BTW, Is Bill Clinton going to include all of this in his book?
112 posted on 01/31/2004 7:49:10 AM PST by cyborg
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To: SheLion
If I was legally in the U.S., with all the proper papers.......I would have no reason to run from the authorities, right?

Absolutely right.

It's like when I am freshwater fishing.

Game wardens have approached me to ask to see my fishing license, which I simply show them.

No problem.

113 posted on 01/31/2004 7:49:47 AM PST by Age of Reason
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To: SheLion
When the Mexicans take over the country by out voting us, do you think they will jail the extremist Muslims? Or will they close down the borders and kick out the illegals and the militant crazies?

114 posted on 01/31/2004 7:51:20 AM PST by swampfox98 (Californians: re-call your lying governor!)
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To: Steve Eisenberg
Well, I disagree with you. First of all, compare federal power now from fifty years ago. Sure, on some issues the power has shifted, but, it overall there is no comparison. As far as the government knowing how each person voted, I'm not familiar with what you speak of, but that really is not a good comparison. First of all, the bill of rights and constitution were actually followed in the early years. In the end, what you are saying is that you support a strong federal power. In effect, you are a socialist (which is the case for most FReepers).
115 posted on 01/31/2004 7:51:21 AM PST by ItisaReligionofPeace (I'm from the government and I'm here to help.)
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To: SheLion
good graphic...thanks.
116 posted on 01/31/2004 7:51:36 AM PST by pointsal
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To: FITZ
If we would cut social benefits (ie. socialism), whereby the government confiscates the citizens' money and gives it to others, it wouldn't be much of an issue.
117 posted on 01/31/2004 7:52:18 AM PST by ItisaReligionofPeace (I'm from the government and I'm here to help.)
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To: pointsal
horse feathers....got got any kids over there?
118 posted on 01/31/2004 7:52:41 AM PST by pointsal
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To: palmerizedCaddis
Maine is too peaceful and beautiful to have such crap as this allowed to become accepted as truthful.

You ever hear about there being two Maine's?  Well, there is southern Maine, down around Bangor, and then there is northern Maine.  I-95 ends at Houlton, an hour away from me), and it's a winding, two lane ROAD the rest of the way up here.

And it is peaceful.  A very nice place to live.  I know the younger people aren't real thrilled with the lack of amusement, but it sure beats the hustle and bustle of the big cities.  I couldn't even DRIVE on the interstates anymore.  4-5 lanes, everyone going 80mph.  I would be like a deer in bright lights.

I'm very happy up here.  And when I go shopping, everyone knows my name! :)  Have you ever been to Baxter State Park?  It's gorgeous.  And snowmobiling  is excellent up here!

119 posted on 01/31/2004 7:53:00 AM PST by SheLion (Curiosity killed the cat BUT satisfaction brought her back!!!)
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To: kittymyrib; SheLion
I had no idea that Maine grew all that cheap lettuce...because that's what all those illegal aliens do, right?

Nah.

They brought them in to shovel all the snow--a job Mainers don't want to do.

120 posted on 01/31/2004 7:53:14 AM PST by Age of Reason
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