The city’s immigrant community was rocked by raids.

Published: December 19, 2007

La migra made its presence felt in Santa Fe this year.


ICE raids in Santa Fe provoked public outcries. Photo courtesy DHS

As Congress and the president deadlocked over immigration reform, federal immigration agents—known in Spanish simply as la migra—descended on Santa Fe in several high-profile enforcement sweeps.

According to figures provided by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as of September, agents had arrested 601 undocumented immigrants. But that figure includes all of the New Mexico arrests as well as those in El Paso; both areas are covered by the same Fugitive Operations Team based in Albuquerque.

ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa tells SFR she can’t provide New Mexico or Santa Fe with specific totals.

The ICE raids and subsequent deportations split families and caused a general panic that still lingers in the city’s immigrant community.

“Members of our community are still feeling extremely vulnerable and afraid of being deported and separated from their loved ones,” Marcela Diaz, director of Santa Fe-based immigrant rights group Somos Un Pueblo Unido, says.

Another 11 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Santa Fe in November, capping a busy year for federal immigration agents.
While ICE agents made frequent visits to Santa Fe throughout 2007, the most high-profile case came during the weeklong roundup that began on Feb. 26. According to ICE, the effort was focused on apprehending so-called “immigrant absconders,” mostly those who had failed to appear at immigration hearings. Following the raids that targeted south-side apartments and mobile-home parks, Santa Fe Mayor David Coss and other local officials voiced opposition to using city resources to assist with the enforcement of federal immigration law [Outtakes, March 7: “After the Raids”].

For most of the year, the city’s Immigration Committee worked to craft an updated police policy that would limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal agents [Cover story, July 18: “Turf Talk”].

Carla Lopez, a city staff liaison to the committee, tells SFR she expects Santa Fe Chief of Police Eric Johnson to sign off on a final draft of the new policy by the beginning of next year.

University of Houston Law Center professor Michael Olivas, an immigration law expert and Santa Fe native, argues that cities like Santa Fe have become bigger targets for raids as a direct result of resisting a closer partnership with ICE.

“I think they’re doing this to punish the municipalities that are clearly unable or unwilling to serve as enforcement agents,” Olivas says. He calls ICE’s selective enforcement “a cynical attempt to divert attention” from the more mundane failure to process passports and H1B visas in a timely fashion.

A separate flashpoint occurred this year when reports of poor treatment surfaced in April at Albuquerque’s Regional Correctional Center, where undocumented immigrants arrested by ICE were being held [Outtakes, April 18: “Detention Questions”].

“I saw conditions that were absolutely deplorable,” US District Court Chief Judge Martha Vázquez recalls. She describes a scene in which a lack of medical care resulted in at least one death and a miscarriage, in addition
to severe overcrowding, insufficient food and detainees unable, for months, to learn of their status.

“They were being detained, but they weren’t being charged with a criminal offense and they weren’t being deported. Neither did they have access to attorneys,” she says. “This is one of the worse things I’ve ever seen.”

Vázquez visited the facility unannounced to see the conditions for herself on June 1, and subsequently had lunch on site with Cornell Companies CEO James Hyman, the lockup’s private operator, to relay her concerns.

In July, ICE relocated all of its Albuquerque detainees to other facilities in the face of scrutiny by Vázquez and others. But in late November, ICE announced that it is considering housing detainees once again at the facility.

Vázquez tells SFR she’s been regularly advised of changes made at the facility by Cornell and “definitely it’s better.” But she promises to continue looking over their shoulder next year.

Pam Kennedy, an Albuquerque-based immigration attorney with many clients in Santa Fe, offers the following prediction for 2008: “I think you’ll continue to see the presence of ICE agents.”

Somos’ Diaz also thinks there will be more raids, but no more oversight.

“There is definitely a sense in the community that ICE is accountable to nothing or no one,” she says.

Assaults Against Our Border Patrol Agents Continue Record Pace
Thursday, 20 December 2007
250 Assaults Since October 1, 2007

Washington D.C. - The Border Patrol has continued to experience an increase in assaults against its Border Patrol agents. Border-wide assaults continue on a record pace with 250 assaults occurring from October 1 through December 16 compared to 181 assaults for the same time period a year ago - a 38% increase. Assaults against agents are more frequently occurring from Mexico immediately south of the border where organized criminal gangs and elements have little to no fear of apprehension or arrest by Mexican authorities. Agents have experienced assaults by rocking, gunfire, Molotov cocktails, vehicular assaults, and physical assaults. Recently helicopters flying in support of Border Patrol agents on the ground have received gunfire.

“The American public and the border community must understand that this situation is no longer about illegal immigration or narcotics trafficking”, stated David V. Aguilar, Chief of the United States Border Patrol. “It is about criminals and smuggling organizations fighting our agents with lethal force to take over a part of American territory so that they can conduct criminal activity.
“Criminals are discovering they can no longer operate with impunity in certain areas and are systematically being prevented from using the border for their criminal activities,” Chief Aguilar continued. “Our message to the criminals and criminal organizations trying to exploit the border communities through violence is that this is unacceptable and violence against our officers will not be tolerated. These criminal organizations are victimizing border communities. Citizens on both sides of the border stand to lose if these organizations are allowed to operate with impunity on our nation’s border. U.S. Border Patrol agents protect and defend America’s borders but they also protect our border communities from the criminal element’s attempts to turn communities into battlegrounds.”

While the Border Patrol has seen an increase in violence against it officers throughout the southwest border, the San Diego sector has seen the largest increase in assaults this year. San Diego has now become the most violent sector for the United States Border Patrol. This fiscal year through December 16, there have been 110 recorded assaults on San Diego Border Patrol agents. That is a 358% increase over last year when there were 24 assaults reported during the same time period.

Agents are most often attacked by smugglers and criminal elements in areas where drug and human trafficking organizations have been entrenched.

Nationally, there are approximately three agents assaulted on a daily basis. Today, the vast majority of assaults are occurring on the southern borders of California and Arizona.

On the southwest border, there were 384 total assaults recorded during fiscal year 2004. Over fiscal year 2005, there were 687 attacks. Nationally, during fiscal year 2006, there were 752 reported assaults compared to 987 assaults during fiscal year 2007.

In response, Border Patrol has implemented several measures to help combat the rising assaults against agents. Agents are equipped with less-lethal items such as collapsible steel batons, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, and pepper ball launching systems (PLS). This year, the Border Patrol implemented the use of the FN-303, a less-lethal projectile launcher, in select sectors. These items are not a substitute for firearms; they give agents more options to respond to an assault before escalating to the use of deadly force. Ultimately, the agent under assault will respond to an assault with the appropriate use of force as trained, equipped, and prepared.

Also available to agents are helmets, shields, and vehicles, commonly called “war wagons” retro-fitted with steel mesh over glass surfaces.

Border Patrol also is continuing its efforts to work with Mexican authorities in stemming violence along both sides of the border. Each time an assault occurs in the border environment, local Border Patrol authorities notify their counterparts in Mexico. Many times, though, there is little or no response.
http://www.borderfirereport.net/latest/assaults-against...continue-record.html

To Hudson. A remote possibility or not in so far as judicial mud slinging goes, it does exists. I didn't mention R v W but it is another bad law none the less. It could be overturned just like any other law if the timing were right for it. When and if the time is right it will be. Reading through title 8 it could and it may end up going down the path of broader application. Lets say it were you. You had a building and the politicians are doing what they are doing. Pandering for votes and coming up with new ideas for getting rid of all illegals. If one decided to go after housing and now your in the cross hairs. A new bill is all it takes if it is decided title 8 is too messy to deal with. Out pops title 9. The bottom line is it is wrong to rent to a known illegal. You know it, I know it. Although the law is fuzzy and depending on who is interpreting the code it still boils down to that one fundamental principle that it is just wrong to be doing it.

The chicken argument is going to the birds here. If you raise the wages higher qualified people will come. The higher qualification is 'they are legal'. Why were illegals taking those jobs to begin with? Because they were illegal and the wages were artificially suppressed due to their status. The two fit. Take out the illegal and now Swift has to compete for the same labor pool as anyone else. Hence, up go the salaries. Some companies will go under and some won't. If your chicken goes up by 10 cents a pound are you even likely to notice it? I bet most people would not. Sitting there right now do you remember what you paid for that last package of chicken? No, and neither do I. Its not that complicated an issue. All companies that make it a practice of hiring mostly illegals are underpaying them for that very reason. Thats why they take the risk with ICE because they are saving money on payroll.

In your second part asking why would they pay higher wages if it makes it harder to compete. The answer is obvious. They have to in order to get a legal person to take that job. And they will have to raise their prices. Which will drive some of them out of business since the demand will drop slightly. How many people will stop or slow their eating of chicken if the price jumps 10 cents a pound? Perhaps a few in each neighborhood. That few will translate into one out of the 20 plants closing down. These numbers are purely an example of how price affects demand which affects production. The three are intertwined and affect each other.

We haven't ever had globalization. When it gets to the point when someone in China or where ever can compete for yours or most any job here then it will hit home. That guy will work for less and now you either take the cut or go hungry. That is what I meant about all being at the same standard of living.

SoCal immigration detainee electrocuted

The Associated Press

Article Launched: 12/21/2007 10:14:19 AM PST


LOS ANGELES—A Mexican immigrant fighting deportation was accidentally electrocuted at the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster, authorities said.

Cesar Gonzales-Baeza, 35, was moving fence posts as part of a voluntary work crew on Dec. 5 when the jackhammer he was using struck a high-voltage power line, according to Greg Moreno, an attorney for his family. He died two days later.

Gonzales-Baeza was detained 10 months ago after being stopped for a traffic violation and had been held while appealing his immigration case, Moreno said.

The lawyer said his client had a green card.

"This shouldn't have happened," Moreno said. "This is a man who should have been bonded out. He was a hardworking man, a father of two young boys. He wasn't a threat to society or anyone else. And now he is dead."

Further details about the immigration status of Gonzales-Baeza were not immediately available from authorities.

The Sheriff's Department, which operates the Lancaster facility, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were investigating the death, said Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for the customs agency.

quote:

Originally posted by ProudUSC:


SoCal immigration detainee electrocuted

The Associated Press

Article Launched: 12/21/2007 10:14:19 AM PST


LOS ANGELES—A Mexican immigrant fighting deportation was accidentally electrocuted at the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster, authorities said.

Cesar Gonzales-Baeza, 35, was moving fence posts as part of a voluntary work crew on Dec. 5 when the jackhammer he was using struck a high-voltage power line, according to Greg Moreno, an attorney for his family. He died two days later.

Gonzales-Baeza was detained 10 months ago after being stopped for a traffic violation and had been held while appealing his immigration case, Moreno said.

The lawyer said his client had a green card.

"This shouldn't have happened," Moreno said. "This is a man who should have been bonded out. He was a hardworking man, a father of two young boys. He wasn't a threat to society or anyone else. And now he is dead."

Further details about the immigration status of Gonzales-Baeza were not immediately available from authorities.

The Sheriff's Department, which operates the Lancaster facility, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were investigating the death, said Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for the customs agency.

IF HE WAS AN ILLEGAL, ONE DOWN, 30 MILLION TO GO . . . . . If they don't have enough sense to leave on their own, they should all be rounded up, jailed and given the option self deportation or death by electrocution. These morons take kindness for weakness and its time to stop B.S-ing with these leeches.

quote:

The lawyer said his client had a green card.

"This shouldn't have happened," Moreno said. "This is a man who should have been bonded out. He was a hardworking man, a father of two young boys. He wasn't a threat to society or anyone else. And now he is dead."

Very sad indeed.

High voltage lines are generally marked . Wonder what happened

If he was in immigration custody and had a green card he was in for something serious. Most of the detainees who possess a GC are in the process of deportation for serious criminal activity. They failed to mention what he was incarcerated for and taking into account this was a pro-illegal post it was probably bad . It doesn't justify death but it shouldn't be used to advance the pro-illegal cause either as they are doing. Sleazy reporting at its worst. Using death to promote a cause. To what level will these people stoop.

quote:

Originally posted by davdah:
If he was in immigration custody and had a green card he was in for something serious. Most of the detainees who possess a GC are in the process of deportation for serious criminal activity. They failed to mention what he was incarcerated for and taking into account this was a pro-illegal post it was probably bad . It doesn't justify death but it shouldn't be used to advance the pro-illegal cause either as they are doing. Sleazy reporting at its worst. Using death to promote a cause. To what level will these people stoop .

Well, I don't think they can go any lower than the people who CELEBRATE and feel HAPPY when they read that someone died. That's being a bitter and hateful bigot. See the third post above this one...

Only the absolute bottom of the gene pool would celebrate something like this, Whknapp. Unbelievable.

quote:

Originally posted by ProudUSC:
Only the absolute bottom of the gene pool would celebrate something like this, Whknapp. Unbelievable.

Only the absolute bottom from a 3rd world cesspool would root on law breaking, disease carrying, breedmare, overpopulating, lazy, non-assimilating bottom of the barrel, illiterate 3rd world genetic, mentally retarded, cultural losers to invade someone elses country and welcome them with open arms because they share a race.

SCREW YOU FAKE US CITIZEN LARAZA TRAITOR, TYPICAL LATEEEEEEENA COWARD, TOO **** CHICKEN TO EVEN ADDRESS ME.

Merry Christmas!

quote:

Originally posted by ProudUSC:
Merry Christmas!

Back at you little breedmare scum s-uc-k-er from the bottom of a 2000 gallon aquarium

A TOAST:

May the border be sealed before you get back from your 3rd world holiday!

Merry Christmas!

Just to set the record straight, my family has been here since the 1800's - so your theory on breedmare is shot. I'm white, but don't think I'm better than anyone else (except maybe you). You are the most despicable person without regard to race or color that I've ever encountered. You're so clueless, you can't figure out even your fan club left you. It appears that "Blue, Blue Christmas" is in order for you.

quote:

Originally posted by ProudUSC:
Just to set the record straight, my family has been here since the 1800's - so your theory on breedmare is shot. I'm white, but don't think I'm better than anyone else (except maybe you). You are the most despicable person without regard to race or color that I've ever encountered. You're so clueless, you can't figure out even your fan club left you. It appears that "Blue, Blue Christmas" is in order for you.

Trailer trash can be breed mares too. Did you think I was referring to the race of the breedmares? I guess one of your two brain cells is stuck on stupid.

What fan club are you referring to? I don't need a fan club but you seem to want to be a member since you can't stand not seeking my attention with your lame a-ss remarks.

You are the clueless as-s hat in this arena, you are too stupid to give a rat-s *** about the destruction of the country you CLAIM to be a descendant of. Then again maybe its because the only thing resembling a man that you can get is some illegal child molester or rapist to live with you in your trailer park, is that your problem?

Do you find it noble to be a traitor in the name of abetting illegal alien trash? Oh then again maybe the fact that you are trash is the common factor.

Either way you really need to STFU loser.

Merry Christmas!

quote:

To Hudson. A remote possibility or not in so far as judicial mud slinging goes, it does exists. I didn't mention R v W but it is another bad law none the less. It could be overturned just like any other law if the timing were right for it. When and if the time is right it will be. Reading through title 8 it could and it may end up going down the path of broader application. Lets say it were you. You had a building and the politicians are doing what they are doing. Pandering for votes and coming up with new ideas for getting rid of all illegals. If one decided to go after housing and now your in the cross hairs. A new bill is all it takes if it is decided title 8 is too messy to deal with. Out pops title 9. The bottom line is it is wrong to rent to a known illegal. You know it, I know it. Although the law is fuzzy and depending on who is interpreting the code it still boils down to that one fundamental principle that it is just wrong to be doing it.

Dachad, the use of RICO is not even happening now with illegals. The ordinances that have been passed to deny housing to illegals have been challenged legally. The anti-immigration groups have called using RICO to seize property, but this is not even being contemplated by legal authorities now or in the future. I must reiterate, there is no law that prevents one from renting to illegal. There is no law that prevents anyone, generally, of owning property. this is regardless of immigration status or lack thereof.

I used Roe V Wade as an example how judicial precedent works, not arguing about the right of abortion. Judges not only go by what the law says or the intent of the law set forth by the legislative body, but also by judicial precedent. RICO has been used in very specific and clearly defined circumstances, not the ambiguous, politically motivated, and highly interpretative immigration debate. The probability of the law being overturned the same probability that Hugo Chavez will become a bastion of free enterprise or the possibility that Hezbollah and Hamas will publicly apologize for all the atrocities in Palestine.

quote:

The chicken argument is going to the birds here. If you raise the wages higher qualified people will come. The higher qualification is 'they are legal'. Why were illegals taking those jobs to begin with? Because they were illegal and the wages were artificially suppressed due to their status. The two fit. Take out the illegal and now Swift has to compete for the same labor pool as anyone else. Hence, up go the salaries. Some companies will go under and some won't. If your chicken goes up by 10 cents a pound are you even likely to notice it? I bet most people would not. Sitting there right now do you remember what you paid for that last package of chicken? No, and neither do I. Its not that complicated an issue. All companies that make it a practice of hiring mostly illegals are underpaying them for that very reason. Thats why they take the risk with ICE because they are saving money on payroll.

From a pure economics standpoint, immigration status, or even citizenship status is pretty much irrelevant. this is particularly true when you are talking about low skilled laborers. There is not difference, quantitative or qualitative, about a person's immigration status when it comes to labor economics. And we are not talking about time series data on income inequalities. The jobs are unskilled and as such, wages reflect the value of those unskilled jobs. The reason wny wages are "low" to begin with is not because of their lack of immigration status, it is because the labor supply is great to the demand of such jobs. If you take away part of the labor pool because it becomes more costly for employers to higher, the demand for such jobs will now decrease. You still have "legal" workers probably applying for the jobs, but still have far more workers to the demand for such jobs. The reason for the demand decrease is that employers will now be more hesitant to hire even legal workers since compliance costs have now increased. Add ot the fact that you are dealing with businesses that have a very low profit margin to begin with, any increase in compliance costs or perceived compliance costs will reduce the number of jobs available. This will put downward pressure on increasing wealth since potential employers will now find it more difficult to obtain capital. it is the reason that higher compliance costs will always reduce the availability of jobs to everyone and why it is a detriment to the ecnomy.

quote:

In your second part asking why would they pay higher wages if it makes it