Posted on 08/15/2005 5:34:36 AM PDT by sweetliberty
LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Hispanic leaders say the Arkadelphia community was traumatized by the deportation last month of poultry plant workers who had to leave young children behind, but that hasn't stopped some of the immigrants from returning.
A pregnant woman who was separated from her husband and two small children and deported to Mexico on July 26 has already returned to Arkadelphia, and she is just one of several trying to reunite with family back in Arkansas.
Cesar Compadre, a physician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and head of the Hispanic aid organization La Casa, said he met the woman Sunday while providing food and medical care to many of the 30 children left unattended in Arkansas.
"It's the most ridiculous thing; it's like the Middle Ages," an exasperated Compadre said after he and three other doctors treated 25 kids and half a dozen adults.
But Marc Raimondi, spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said it should not come as a surprise when the U.S. government enforces its immigration laws. Since incorporating immigration enforcement within the Department of Homeland Security 2 1/2 years ago, expectations have changed, he said.
"It's not like before when the immigration system was considered optional by some," he told The Associated Press on Sunday. "Our goal is to return integrity to our immigration system through vigorous enforcement."
La Casa and other Hispanic groups had already planned to meet Monday with Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., to discuss their community work, and Compadre said he would raise the question of immigration enforcement. Compadre said he couldn't understand why immigration agents would raid hardworking people who were filling jobs that nobody else would take.
Raimondi said it isn't that simple. While the government places priority on catching illegal immigrants who pose security threats, work force enforcement is also important, particularly those who work in critical infrastructure sectors like transportation and the national food supply, he said.
Compadre said his medical team provided the pregnant woman with prenatal care. She said she was taken from Arkadelphia less than three weeks ago, detained in Texarkana and Dallas, dropped off in the middle of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico - just across the Rio Grande River from Laredo, Texas - and immediately made her way back to Arkansas.
"She was traumatized to the point that she's almost unresponsive," Compadre said. "She's back in here and we were able to get her proper prenatal care. It's at least stable at this moment."
Raimondi could not comment on the woman's specific case, but in general, he said, returning to the U.S. illegally after being deported is a serious offense. Depending on the terms of deportation, a repeat offender could face up to 20 years in federal prison, he said.
Federal agents arrested 119 workers when they raided the Petit Jean poultry plant on July 26. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially said the workers were separated from their children because they claimed they had no children with them. Later, the agency said some of those deported had said they had children staying with relatives in Arkansas.
Gov. Mike Huckabee was among those who criticized the way immigration officials handled the raid, specifically the issue of the 30 children, many of whom are born in the U.S. and are American citizens. Huckabee donated $1,000 from a state emergency fund to help the community through a Hispanic Baptist church in Arkadelphia, and the League of United Latin American Citizens matched the gift.
Compadre said another segment of the affected population attends the Catholic church in Arkadelphia, and that's where the medical team went Sunday.
Despite the help and donations from local food banks, the affected families are still short on diapers and other supplies for younger children, Compadre said.
It took them that long?
Is Governor Huckabee smuggling them back in?
Nada
The one thing that is missing from the article is what kind of fine was assessed against the employer of these illegals.
Again, nada
I really should save these articles for proof but as I understand they had "legal" illegal papers, someone's social security number (could it be yours?) or a false green card. It's not Petit Jean's fault they couldn't distinguish the fact that these are really illegals and not the legal immigrants they "thought" they'd hired. In fact, IIRC, they hired them through the state unemployment agency. And no, I don't really think Petit Jean thought they were legal, only that they were able to possess the proper documentation.
And I figure that's why they said "no" to having children, they knew they'd be right back and didn't want to have to drag the kids across the border AGAIN.
Osama Bin Ladin, in a cave in Waziristan, bowing down to Mecca and praying. "Allahu akhbar, you are merciful to your servants. Blessed Allah, you curse the crusader infidels with RINO's to leave their borders open. Allahu Akhbar, you leave the pathway for your servants to strike at the infidel. May your servants kill many infidels when they martyr themselves for your great glory. Blessed Allah, praise be to you!"
But they had all the proper documentation, doncha know? How were they to know that these non-English speaking "laborers" weren't really Sally Smith and Joseph Nussbaum? < /sarcasm >
Wouldn't surprise me.
One thing Pryor can be counted on for....with the full support of Blanche Lincoln and Mike Huckabee, is to be on the wrong side of this issue. Next thing you know, the illegals will be seeking compensation via lawsuits against those who had them deported (the trauma, the expense to return - coyotes are costly - and all that."
It's gong to get worse in Arkansas before it gets better. He certainly would fall on his sword before he will declare Arkansas a State of Emergency. More like a "sanctuary" if he had his way..
I can't WAIT for him to leave office.
sw
Add me if you would, ka0zql@hotmail.com I am so against this Open border crap thanks
Contact Governor Perry here:
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
Now is not the time to play politics. We need a strong bipartisan coalition.
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