Families making ICE raid checklists

[peejay 327]

Families making ICE raid checklists

Crackdown here prompts illegal workers to be prepared — just in case

By JAMES PINKERTON

2008 Houston Chronicle

It's not unusual for families to formulate emergency plans for fires, hurricanes or other disasters.

But there are some Houston families developing a new wrinkle to contingency planning — they're preparing for the aftermath of an immigration raid.

In the wake of recent work site enforcement raids by federal agents in Houston, illegal immigrants are meeting with immigration lawyers, drawing up custody documents so relatives can care for their children and stashing money to bail themselves or relatives out of detention.

Local activists are urging them to prepare in case they are detained by la migra, the Spanish term for immigration agents. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that there are 400,000 illegal immigrants in the Houston area.

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

Juan Diaz, a 33-year-old day laborer from El Salvador, said he's ready if he gets detained. He and other family members have consulted an immigration lawyer — who advised him not to sign or say anything — and saved cash to post an immigration bond.

''We have made plans if I'm picked up," said Diaz, who has been working in Houston since arriving in the U.S. three years ago. ''My family is going to call and try to get me out of detention. I have saved up to $6,000 for bond, but I don't know if that will be enough."

Robert Rutt, special agent in charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement criminal investigation office in Houston, said planning for an immigration arrest is ''the responsible thing to do."

''Anybody in the United States illegally is subject to arrest at any time or any place, and making preparations for the inevitable is always wise," Rutt said. ''We in the Gulf Coast region prepare for hurricanes and adverse weather by making supplies available and getting important documents together, and being arrested for being in the U.S. illegally requires the same type of preparations."

Thousands arrested

Driving the preparations is a high-profile federal immigration enforcement crackdown that has painted a bull's-eye on the back of many illegal immigrants. Through the end of July, a nine-month campaign detained about 4,500 undocumented workers, 111 employers and more than 26,000 illegal immigrants who defied judges' orders to leave the country.

The planning is not just taking place in Houston.

In August 2007, ICE agents detained 180 workers at a chicken-processing plant near Hamilton, Ohio.

Community activists there are helping undocumented workers obtain U.S. passports for their children, as well as establishing dual citizenship so their children can attend schools if they return to Latin America.

There are many, however, who want to encourage illegal immigrants to leave the country rather than help them.

''Well I'm not surprised it's happening," Louise Whiteford, president of Texans for Immigration Reform in Houston, said about the raid plans. ''I've gotten to the point of wondering if anyone worries about maintaining ourselves as a sovereign country."

Families devastated

In Houston, the June 25 work site raid on Action Rags USA galvanized community groups who were ill-prepared to help the 166 detained workers.

Since the raid, a number of nonprofit organizations, attorneys, elected officials and business groups have formed the Houston Raid Rapid Response Team.

''There's a need because the raid at Action Rags demonstrated the devastating effect on the families and communities," said Jimenez, the longtime Houston activist.

''We learned that families are disorganized by a raid, and face not only legal but serious economic, social and psychological problems."

Lawrence Rushton, an immigration lawyer, is helping the team assemble a list of local attorneys willing to help workers picked up in future raids.

''Unfortunately in Houston, we didn't have any kind of response plan set up," Rushton said. ''That's what we're doing now, trying to set up a database or pool of attorneys to represent people caught up in these raids, either pro bono or for minimal cost."

Rushton said most of his clients contact him after a family member has been detained, but more are asking for advice in advance.

For student, 'It's scary'

The prospect of his family being deported is terrifying to Pedro Arevalo, an 18-year-old college student born here shortly after his family moved from Mexico. His mother and father, two sisters and a brother are all undocumented and live in Houston.

Arevalo cannot file an application for permanent residency for his parents and siblings until he turns 21. So for now, the family is trying to save money in case of an arrest.

''It's scary," he said. ''I mean, they're hunting these people down like they are animals and they aren't — they're here to work. They're just trying to become normal, working, functional members of society."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5940250.html

[pedroh 21]

that's good.. so the illegals know their rights and know what the eff is going on if they get deported..

[peejay 327]

that's good.. so the illegals know their rights and know what the eff is going on if when they get deported..

[HAL 9000 96]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

[Ban Hammer 14,039]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

[HAL 9000 96]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

[Ban Hammer 14,039]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

so in short, he should pick up the tab because he says something about it?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

No newly-orphaned; the child goes with the parents to home country, and the parents get the headache of filling out the necessary paperwork.

[HAL 9000 96]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

so in short, he should pick up the tab because he says something about it?

Your implication, not mine.

His jurisdiction would be a more appropriate concept to fathom.

Saying something and implying something in light of his well-known stance indifferent to human dignity, be they illegals and all, are quite different things. Again, read back at the part that I single out in the writing. There is no implication as to immigration policy in it is there?

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

No newly-orphaned; the child goes with the parents to home country, and the parents get the headache of filling out the necessary paperwork.

Not necessarily so. Remember that these 'anchor babies' as I've so fondly read some members write here, are US Citizens and can be put into the custody of family members that are legal. With the necessary paperwork already filled out beforehand. In the interim they tend to be remanded to the custody of each state's dept of children and family services until the 'paperwork' can be put in order.

[peejay 327]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

A whole lot of them already are on the welfare weenie. So what else is new? It's tax subsidized cheap labor for the corporate crooks. Making baby in the USA is the welfare ticket. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this.

Blaming the USA for enforcing our laws is bullshit. These illegal aliens are just sowing what they reap. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this already too. They know damned well what they are doing ain't legit. Shame on them for dragging their own kids into the tangled web they wove themselves.

BTW...shame on the crooks in gummit and bizness that milk this ####### for their own selfish gain too. Burn 'em all!

[HAL 9000 96]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

A whole lot of them already are on the welfare weenie. So what else is new? It's tax subsidized cheap labor for the corporate crooks. Making baby in the USA is the welfare ticket. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this.

Blaming the USA for enforcing our laws is bullshit. These illegal aliens are just sowing what they reap. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this already too. They know damned well what they are doing ain't legit. Shame on them for dragging their own kids into the tangled web they wove themselves.

BTW...shame on the crooks in gummit and bizness that milk this ####### for their own selfish gain too. Burn 'em all!

It would help to refer to, at the minimun, at least the babies- being US Citizens, with the smallest amount of respect possible. What is your position, pray tell, on illegal aliens preparing the legal aspect of their children's custodies, of their potential deportation? Should they get screwed over just for being illegals and not be allowed even that because it would be enabling the illegals somehow. I'm curious.

Notice how nobody but yourself (knee-jerk again?) is mentioning blaming anyone for the enforcement of laws.

[almaty 19]

the babies are indeed usa citizen and have the same rights as the haters

[Ban Hammer 14,039]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

A whole lot of them already are on the welfare weenie. So what else is new? It's tax subsidized cheap labor for the corporate crooks. Making baby in the USA is the welfare ticket. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this.

Blaming the USA for enforcing our laws is bullshit. These illegal aliens are just sowing what they reap. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this already too. They know damned well what they are doing ain't legit. Shame on them for dragging their own kids into the tangled web they wove themselves.

BTW...shame on the crooks in gummit and bizness that milk this ####### for their own selfish gain too. Burn 'em all!

It would help to refer to, at the minimun, at least the babies- being US Citizens, with the smallest amount of respect possible. What is your position, pray tell, on illegal aliens preparing the legal aspect of their children's custodies, of their potential deportation? Should they get screwed over just for being illegals and not be allowed even that because it would be enabling the illegals somehow. I'm curious.

Notice how nobody but yourself (knee-jerk again?) is mentioning blaming anyone for the enforcement of laws.

i must have missed babies being listed in the op.

[HAL 9000 96]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

A whole lot of them already are on the welfare weenie. So what else is new? It's tax subsidized cheap labor for the corporate crooks. Making baby in the USA is the welfare ticket. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this.

Blaming the USA for enforcing our laws is bullshit. These illegal aliens are just sowing what they reap. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this already too. They know damned well what they are doing ain't legit. Shame on them for dragging their own kids into the tangled web they wove themselves.

BTW...shame on the crooks in gummit and bizness that milk this ####### for their own selfish gain too. Burn 'em all!

It would help to refer to, at the minimun, at least the babies- being US Citizens, with the smallest amount of respect possible. What is your position, pray tell, on illegal aliens preparing the legal aspect of their children's custodies, of their potential deportation? Should they get screwed over just for being illegals and not be allowed even that because it would be enabling the illegals somehow. I'm curious.

Notice how nobody but yourself (knee-jerk again?) is mentioning blaming anyone for the enforcement of laws.

i must have missed babies being listed in the op.

You are somebody's baby boy, Charles.

As in child.

But yeah, my quote comes from the op article, imagine that.

[Ban Hammer 14,039]

''Part of the community education work is to make sure we have a checklist a family has ready, including a power of attorney for children, who's going to pick up the children from school, which family member will have all the paperwork," said Maria Jimenez, a coordinator at the Central American Resource Center in Houston.

'Cause God forbid we'd have peejay, and just peejay, paying even more taxes to care for newly-orphaned Mexican kids in Houston b/c mom and dad got picked up in a raid.

why would it be peejay's job to pick up the tab?

B/C he relishes in poking fun (or implying thereof) at real life situations under the guise of "COMMENTARY and informative" threads. Its the ole 'imply by virtue of the press ruse.

The tax part was, well, perhaps expansive to the entire Houston metro area and perhaps the State of Texas since Cities and States usually care for orphans, and that tends to be financially backed by local governments leading up to the State level.

A whole lot of them already are on the welfare weenie. So what else is new? It's tax subsidized cheap labor for the corporate crooks. Making baby in the USA is the welfare ticket. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this.

Blaming the USA for enforcing our laws is bullshit. These illegal aliens are just sowing what they reap. As if the illegal aliens don't already know this already too. They know damned well what they are doing ain't legit. Shame on them for dragging their own kids into the tangled web they wove themselves.

BTW...shame on the crooks in gummit and bizness that milk this ####### for their own selfish gain too. Burn 'em all!

It would help to refer to, at the minimun, at least the babies- being US Citizens, with the smallest amount of respect possible. What is your position, pray tell, on illegal aliens preparing the legal aspect of their children's custodies, of their potential deportation? Should they get screwed over just for being illegals and not be allowed even that because it would be enabling the illegals somehow. I'm curious.

Notice how nobody but yourself (knee-jerk again?) is mentioning blaming anyone for the enforcement of laws.

i must have missed babies being listed in the op.

You are somebody's baby boy, Charles.

As in child.

But yeah, my quote comes from the op article, imagine that.

gotcha, babies evokes more emotion from the reader