I can hardly wait...
for the made-for-TV-movie.
Posted on 06/14/2002 1:31:19 PM PDT by RedBloodedAmerican
PIERSON -- Linda Hernandez admits that her husband made a mistake seven years ago.
Jose Hernandez, 35, was convicted of drug trafficking and served almost two years in prison. Since then, his wife said, he has worked at a local fernery to provide for the couple's five young children.
On Tuesday, his past came back to haunt him.
Federal authorities arrested Jose Hernandez outside his Pierson home while his children looked on.
"My kids came running in and said 'Mommy, Mommy, my dad is being arrested,' " Linda Hernandez, 35, said.
Jose Hernandez was one of at least 20 immigrants with criminal convictions to be arrested throughout Central Florida, and most likely to be deported later, by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The 10-day operation, dubbed "New Beginning," was one of the largest round-ups in Florida in recent years, immigration officials said.
Immigration officials plan to hold a press briefing at the agency's sub office in Orlando this morning outlining more details of the sweep.
Officials would not confirm how many of the arrests took place in Volusia and Flagler counties, but they said agents did follow up on several leads in this area and might be making more arrests.
Linda Hernandez said she feels her husband, a documented immigrant from Mexico, is now being punished twice for the same crime.
"He's a hard worker. He's never had any more problems with the law," she said through sobs. "But the government doesn't care."
Immigration officials said they are simply upholding the law. Immigrants convicted of certain types of crimes lose their right to continue living in the United States, authorities said.
There's no statute of limitations, leaving convicted immigrants -- as one immigration expert put it -- "perpetually deportable."
Federal agents arrested immigrants convicted of everything from aggravated assault with a deadly weapon to committing a lewd act on a child under the age of 12.
"The whole intent is that we're trying to get these dangerous criminals off the street," said Rodney Germain, an Immigration Service spokesman.
Immigration experts said the agency is simply trying to polish its image after the events of Sept. 11.
"We've had a lot of arrests locally," said David Vedder, an Ormond Beach attorney who specializes in immigration matters. "All of a sudden, Immigration is becoming more active in enforcing the deportation laws."
Germain said similar operations targeting criminally convicted immigrants would take place soon in other parts of the state. But a sweep of illegal immigrants isn't as likely to happen anytime soon, he said.
"We're not trying to turn a blind eye," to illegal immigration, Germain said. "But our resources are limited."
Immigration advocates voiced concern over this latest crackdown. Alfredo Bahena, local coordinator for the Farm Workers Association of Florida, said authorities should never have arrested Jose Hernandez.
"We agree that the law should take its course if undocumented immigrants are operating outside the law," he said. "But in this case, the man has served his sentence and is living in this country under the approval of the American government, so arresting him in plain view of his children and family is a violation of his rights."
Criminal immigrants have the right to lodge an appeal, Vedder said. But, "the practical difficulties are considerable," he said. "Plus, the arrest comes out of the blue. These people aren't prepared for it."
Linda Hernandez said she doubts an appeal would keep her husband on U.S. soil.
"He's been my backbone; he's been my supporter," she said. "I don't know what's going to happen to us."
Mrs K
Except for the fact that he's been breaking it this whole time. No sympathy from me.
Well, it's not working.
And that's a bad thing? Why? If they would have gotten off their arses before 9/11 we wouldn't be in this mess.
If any of the rest in question can read,or learn by word of mouth,they are prepared for it now.buh-bye!
Few months ago, here in NC, cops stopped car for some infraction. Driver and passenger were from Mexico, here "to do work Americans wont do". After search of car, found suitcase in trunk with half million dollars in cash. The two Mexicans said they did not know who it belonged to, they were on way south to Texas.
Fair enough, the law kept the money and sent them on their way.
"We've had a lot of arrests locally," said David Vedder, an Ormond Beach attorney who specializes in immigration matters. "All of a sudden, Immigration is becoming more active in enforcing the deportation laws."
People have become so used to nothing being done about immigration and deportation violations that now they feel offended when they are called to the mat for them. As far as his wife and family are concerned, HE should have been concerned about them before he started breaking the law and put himself in a position to be deported. Adios amigo.
Something Daniel Pearl's kid will never get to say.
My, my...now we'll see all the naysayers squeezing their eyes shut, and putting their hands over their ears, saying "he's not doing anything, he's not doing anything, he's not doing anything...." until they drop.
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