June 27, 2006

Arrests cause anxiety among immigrants

by Johanna Skoreyko

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

In a recent government sweep dubbed "Operation Return to Sender," U.S. immigration agents walked the streets arresting undocumented workers and illegal immigrants, according to reports by the Washington Post.

Although criminals were targeted, neighbours and curious onlookers were
also questioned about their immigration status, and those who were found to be in the country illegally were arrested. The blitz has many immigrants
afraid to leave their homes, despite having lived openly in the U.S. for
years.

According to Reuters, approximately half of the 2,179 people arrested
in this operation have criminal records allegedly ranging from violent gang
members, to "fugitive aliens" who have remained in the country after
being ordered to leave.

Reports in the Detroit Free Press state that the families of the arrested immigrants claim agents barged into their homes, taking their family members without explanation, sometimes in the middle of the night. Eight hundred and twenty nine of those arrested on immigration violations have already been deported.

The arrests, which occurred between May 26 and June 13, are part of a
national crackdown on immigration violations that includes plans to build a 700
mile fence along the border between Mexico and the United States.