Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials arrested 165 people Tuesday after raiding three locations looking for undocumented workers.
American Staffing Resources is a contract company that provides staffing service for fruit and vegetable processing plant, Fresh Del Monte.
ICE officials raided the ASR office on North Lombard, their satellite office inside Fresh Del Monte and Fresh Del Monte itself. It was at these locations where officials arrested three managers for knowingly hiring undocumented workers and supplying them with false documentation...More...
...Portland Mayor Tom Potter says he's unhappy with how the raids were carried out.
He released this statement: "I am angered by this morning's arrest by federal officers of approximately 150 Portland residents who were working at a local produce company. I certainly understand why federal officials executed criminal warrants against three individuals who stole and sold Social Security numbers. But to go after local workers who are here to support their families while filling the demands of local businesses for their labor is bad policy."This is what the ICE is supposed to be doing. Portland's mayor can be as unhappy and angry as he wants to be, but Del Monte, which I believe is controlled and partially owned by the husband of Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA) is subject to federal law just like companies that aren't as well represented by politicians. I only hope that ICE is very busy working on the next major law enforcement operation.
This type of sting is exactly what is needed to address the underlying problem with illegal immigration. If illegal immigrants realize that they can't work here without risk of deportation, many won't even make the trip. You don't need to round up 20 million illegals to deport. Many that are here now will go back if they don't find work.
The argument that produce companies and other businesses that presently use illegal immigrant labor provide products at reasonably cheap prices is a phony one that doesn't hold up to scrutiny. The associated costs of illegal immigrant crime, law enforcement, medical services, social services and the like, far outweigh the savings you may see on a head of lettuce or maid service in a hotel.
If the main draw for illegals is a job, then denying that option is a very important piece of an effective immigration policy. Del Monte and the managers involved should be prosecuted to the full extent of the existing law, as should all employers of illegals. I'm perfectly willing to pay more for food and less on taxes that actually support the illegal occupation of our country by people who aren't interested in becoming Americans, but only interested in the criminally generated dollars they can send back to their home country.
Labels: contributions, Illegal Immigration, liberal, Nancy Pelosi
