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Broken families grasping for answers

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BY ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Dec 14, 2006 - 12:02:34 am CST

GRAND ISLAND — They’re part of a strange procession of about 10 people, mostly men and small children, rounding a corner of a strangely quiet downtown street lined with Hispanic businesses.

Fourteen-month-old Marisela Raymundo, suddenly motherless, uncertain, quiet now, her cheeks still wet with tears.

Meatpacking worker Tomas Leon, his dark eyes filled with foreboding and with unanswered questions about two brothers.

Story Photo
Domingo Raymundo Lopez examines documents including the birth certificate for niece Marisela Raymundo, 14-months, in Grand Island on Wednesday. Marisela s mother was among those caught in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on the Swift meat packing plant in Grand Island. Lopez took Marisela to immigration offices to try to locate her mother. (William Lauer)

And Guatemalan business woman Alma Rawlings, radiating calm, leading the way, striding purposefully toward her vehicle and some answers, a few blocks away from the Grand Island office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This is how immigration enforcement looks from the side of broken families.

No matter how great the need to slow the flow of desperate people at the southern border, the job doesn’t get done without tearing big holes in people’s lives.

Wednesday was the day after what immigration officials are calling the biggest workplace enforcement action in the four-year existence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Almost 1,300 people hauled away from six Swift meatpacking plants, including one in Grand Island, in six states.

More than 60 accused of involvement in the fraudulent use of Social Security cards and other fraudulent documents.

More than 1,200 others unable to offer quick proof that they are in the United States legally.

In Greeley, Colo., on Wednesday, Swift issued a prepared statement saying its meatpacking operations were slowly getting back to normal.

In Grand Island — where a sign outside the Swift plant said “Happy Holidays” — the lives of so many from its workforce are not.

A few blocks away, Rawlings stops her GMC Yukon in front of a small house in the slanting December sunlight. Another man emerges from the house, clutching the hand of another small girl. She holds a pink stuffed horse tightly against her chest as they climb in.

Marisela Raymundo is too small to grasp what’s going on. All she knows, some 30 hours after agents descended on the massive Swift plant on Grand Island’s eastern outskirts, is that she’s still waiting for her mother to come home.

Tomas Leon is still trying to figure out where — apparently in Iowa — the government has taken his brothers.

And Rawlings — speaking a few moments earlier over the wails of Marisela and the incessant ringing of cell phones at her Latino Check Cashing business — is trying to figure out how to help the children.

“What are we going to do here,” she said, “with all these people without their mothers?“

She mentioned a desperate woman who had come in a few minutes earlier to say that her husband was among as many as 300 Grand Island workers who had been loaded on buses Tuesday.

“She cannot drive. She’s illegal. She can’t speak English or anything.”

She’s afraid, Rawlings said, that her family will be standing in the street.

A half hour later, inside the glass doors of the unmarked brick building where immigration officials are presumably sifting through mountains of details, Rawlings halts her procession. She dials a number that brings Agent Greg Palmore to a locked inside door.

After perhaps 15 minutes, the visitors leave, children still in tow, adults wearing unsatisfied looks. Rawlings said she needs to find babysitters.

Palmore comes outside to deal with several reporters. He doesn’t address the whereabouts of these children’s mothers.

Collectively, he said, Immigration and Customs Enforcement did all it could to lessen the burden on families caught in the middle of an agency’s attempt to do its job.

Pregnant women, for example, will not be deported. ICE made sure that parents being taken away from the plant had an opportunity to call a friend or relative first for child-care help. All affected school children were accounted for after school.

“To put a human side on it,” he said, “each one of us is a parent. We have kids as well.”

But Palmore and his associates are also part of the enforcement arm of Homeland Security. In taking over duties once assigned to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, part of their task, as he described it, is to “re-establish the integrity of the immigration process.”

His message to those who try to get around immigration laws: “You can’t hide. We’re going to find you at some point.“

He answers more questions and makes it clear he cannot or will not answer others.

Swift got in trouble, even though they participated in a program meant to insure their workforce was legal, because “vulnerabilities in the system were exploited.”

The most recent enforcement sweep is “not directed at beef packing facilities.” Six beef and pork plants are just one focus for catching up with lawbreakers.

A “criminal organization” on which he wouldn’t elaborate had been stealing identification documents and also forging such documents.

Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, also state director of homeland security in Nebraska, was not notified in advance of the Swift sweep because, “when we come to investigate, we don’t inform anybody unless they’re involved in the investigation.“

Detainees who leave the country voluntarily will be gone in 48 to 72 hours. Those who want a hearing in front of an immigration judge must wait longer for a possible return to a normal life. “It really depends on the court docket and what the backlog is.”

And despite swooping in for mass arrests a few days before Christmas, the choice of dates is “no reflection on Christmas.”

Reach Art Hovey at 523-4949 or at ahovey@alltel.net


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Plater wrote on December 14, 2006 2:47 am:
" When Operation Vanguard hit Nebraska in the late 90's, they also exposed several workers whose documentation was "questionable". About half of those people quit the workforce voluntarily, presumably because they knew they would be arrested and deported. However, of the remaining half that stayed to "interview" with INS agents, 90% were determined to be here legally; they simply had minor errors in their papers, which were corrected. Yes, anyone here under false pretenses does so knowingly and willingly, paying hundreds of dollars for their "new" ID. Just like Vegas, baby; you roll the dice & you take your chances, but sooner or later, you're gonna lose. But too heavy-handed of an approach by ICE may have potentially netted honest workers, who will now be tied up in our court system for who knows how long, waiting for a chance to prove themselves. And to the police forces who knowingly allow these people to populate their jurisdictions, claiming that enforcing immigration law is outside their responsibility; you are as much a part of this problem as the people who forge the papers. Get with the right team! "

 Ken wrote on December 14, 2006 4:34 am:
" No matter what color or nationality you are, if you break the laws, (Felonies), you will be away from your family for a long time after you get caught. This article is attempting to draw sympathy for Illegal Immigrant Felons, and it is repulsive. We have completely lost track of the laws when it comes to immigration. The problem with Justice is that children will always be hurt by it. Should we stop locking up or deporting felons because wives/children/husbands will be mad about it? Why even bother enforcing laws then? Really, why even bother? "

 frog in a pot wrote on December 14, 2006 7:21 am:
" What a sad day for the children, many of whom are legal US citizens. Has there been a statement from our Governor? I read that he is learning to dance. "

 Bah wrote on December 14, 2006 7:39 am:
" Are you going to do this same "heart-wrenching" story every time a US citizen breaks the law and how it impacts their families? These people broke laws - they are criminals. Sure they may have families - but so do other lawbreakers. Where are the stories about immigrants who are working legally? Who care about US laws? About the success of their children? And do other criminals get a break in when they are arrested because of Christmas? I think not! "

 cut and dry/right and wrong wrote on December 14, 2006 8:07 am:
" They are breaking the law. The only sad part of this whole ordeal is that they've been allowed to stay here long enought for their families to be involved. If I were to go and break the law, they would take me away and I wouldn't have the country in worry of the well being of my family. It should be the responsibility of everyone to help enforce these laws. They have domestic abuse laws for hospital personnel, why can't similar laws be in force for illegal immigrants. "

 Julia wrote on December 14, 2006 8:21 am:
" While "broken families are looking for answers", so are the people whose identity has been stolen who cannot rent an apartment, buy a car, house or anything else. And these victims don't get stories in the paper that tug at your heart. LJS, carry both sides of the issue! "

 pam wrote on December 14, 2006 8:31 am:
" Perhaps these parents should have thought about their children a little more when they decided to enter this country illegally. "

 Nice sob story LJS wrote on December 14, 2006 8:34 am:
" Next time right about how the government and law enforecment are in the wrong when they arrest a drunk driver and he/she goes to jail and their little girl cries about not seeing said parent over christmas. Guess what, identity theft is a terrible thing if you are a legal American (no matter what color), but if you are an immigrant it is ok? Not in my world. Shouldn't be in yours either. What a bonehead article. You all call this journalism? "

 I can see clearly - can't you? wrote on December 14, 2006 8:43 am:
" Yes it is very easy to see the answer. Obey our laws. Why are we bending over backwards to let people who are here ILLEGALLY work, live, go to school (for lower tuition than those in neighboring states), drive (good grief Charlie Brown), and anything else they want? I keep missing something here with all the bleedign hearts - they are here ILLEGALLY - isn't that clear enough? 'Nuff said. "

 I don't get it wrote on December 14, 2006 9:08 am:
" We're supposed to feel bad because laws are being enforced? The illegal immigrants who brought their children here are to blame for those children now being without parents. They knew the risk of being in this country without proper papers and they broke the law, not once (entering the country illegally) but twice (using someone else's identity). Let's here about the impact on the people who have had their identities stolen. "

 Your vision is clouded wrote on December 14, 2006 9:42 am:
" Why do we bend over backward to permit people to work who are here illegally? Because those who hold power in our society find it economically advantageous. When IBP was headquartered in Nebraska it had a labor office in Mexico City and took buses to the border to round up workers. Where was the outcry from self-righteous Nebraskans then? If you're complaining about illegal immigrants, don't talk with your mouth full. Most food in the United States, from field to processing to workers at restaurants, makes its way to the mouths of American consumers via desperate illegal and recent immigrants. These meatpacking jobs paid twice as much when my father worked in them before the industry consolidated and corporations drove out unions and cut wages in half in the eighties. Ever since then they've kept wages low by knowingly and systematically hiring illegal workers. If you want to stop this process crack down on the employers luring illegals here with the promise of employment. And, please, don't pretend that the issue here is identity theft. Hypocritical Americans have been railing against immigrants since it became a pet issue a year or so ago, all of the while refusing to deal with the reality that those same immigrants are the source of the cheap food and service Americans enjoy. American workers, of all races, would once again do the difficult and dangerous packing plant jobs just like my father did if the wages were again made fair. But, that would eat into the cherished corporate profits of investors, and overfed Americans would pay more for their groceries and services. Take your pick, but ya can't have it both ways. And, if you choose the cheap food and corporate profits, what are you complaining about? "

 Suggestion wrote on December 14, 2006 10:17 am:
" Maybe we need to stop allowing citizenship to every child, just because they are born in the US...I think citizenship should be based on whether or not the parents are here illegally or not. And then we don't have to worry about all these children being w/o parents. "

 Julie wrote on December 14, 2006 10:32 am:
" Here's an idea. Everyone is worried about the children. Make sure the children have the proper paperwork and they can return to the mother country with their parents. When the parents paperwork is legal they will have no problem in returning to the United States. Thei way there will be no strain on us or them. "

 CC wrote on December 14, 2006 11:05 am:
" I am all for shipping them out, but the children are innocent. Protect them. Do you really blame them for coming to America. If I put myself in their shoes and walked for a year, I would try anyway I can to make a better life for my kids. All you snobs can't see past the tip of your nose, to see they were trying to make a better life. Yes they were wrong, but that because the immigration office is a pain in the butt. If you were a parent in Mexico with no food, and unlimited distructiveness, and you had a baby with no way to care for it. I would lie, steal, and anything else to make sure my kids have a roof over their head a food in their bellies. Anyone who can't have compassion should move to Mexico for a year and see how they live. Look past the tip of your nose sticking high in the air. "

 Reader wrote on December 14, 2006 11:16 am:
" These people are here illegaly and steal people's IDs. This is breaking the law. I have a hard time understanding why we should feel sorry for thier families. If we feel sorry for them, all people currently in prison should be released so they can be with their families. "

 ted wrote on December 14, 2006 11:28 am:
" Let me understand this. People deliberately come into the U.S. Illegally. Then they knowingly steal another citizen's social security number and identity, which impacts that person's credit and taxes. Now we're supposed to feel sorry for these culprits. This is deliberate criminal activity. How would the writer of this article feel if his identity were stolen? "

 Fair is Fair wrote on December 14, 2006 12:23 pm:
" I think LJS was trying to reflect both sides of this issue in publishing this article and congratulate them for doing so. It easy for most Nebraskans to sit behind their computers and rave about how all illegal immigrants should be deported--that side is well represented in our Nebraska culture and media. But putting a human side on this event is not something that most people want to think about, so it's easier to just blame the newspaper for being "liberal" and "biased" and those "criminals" for breaking the law. "

 steph wrote on December 14, 2006 1:04 pm:
" These "legal Americans" do want it both ways and they don't see the real problem is that they can't have their "cheap" cake and eat it too. "

 Tone wrote on December 14, 2006 1:26 pm:
" These heartless comments show who we really are: holier than thou toward others, bereft of compassion, and failing to honor the poetic spirit that is a growing, powerful, and magnificent human life. How can we now celebrate the coming of Christ Child when we have no compassion for "the least of HIS own" who are, today, motherless children, fearful, defenseless, separated from their parents--and in our own neighborhood? Our own rendezvous with destiny will provide the answer, I fear--perhaps someone some day will come after us and our children--questioning our right to be here in this land of immigrants, children, or grandchildren of immigrants, to remind us of what we do or don't do, today, in the name of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Bless us one and all. "

 someone who actually cares wrote on December 14, 2006 1:36 pm:
" people are so cold hearted...how can you not feel the pain for this children. and those who said only give papers to the one's who's papernts are legal...guess what then yoou wouldn't have papers either!!! All your ancestors are from another country so stop complining that illegals are ruining your life... because you ould be an illegal immmigrant to. Don't you know how hard it is for someone to get papers in south and central America? you try living threw all the pain and suffering. All those people want is to make a better life for their children.i bet NONE OF YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO LAST THREW ALL THE POVERTY!!! you guys don't have a clue of how hard it is! you live in the best country in the world... even though there is poverty and pain suffering here...trust and belief you havn't seen anyhting yet. just one last note... TRY LIVING IN THEIR SHOES!!!! "

 kkg wrote on December 14, 2006 1:51 pm:
" Reflecting each side, telling a sob story, not fair to immigrants, not fair to people whose identity is affected, not fair to children, not fair to workers, doing anything for your children...it all makes sense. That is why this issue is so controversial. Not everyone will be satified, here, but I agree the people to put themselves in this position with not all the proper paperwork and put their families at risk, need to accept consequences of this. If the company was dupped, checks and balances need to be put in place. How about immigration assist in this process. If they knew, they, also, need to be help accountable. We all, US Citizens, legal or illegal immigrants need to be help accountable for our actions. That's the bottom line. Everyone seems out to blame someone else for this very difficult problem. Illegal immigration has been a problem since I can remember. The laws are too weak to enforce. Take the emotion out and enforce the laws. "

 Reform Needed! wrote on December 14, 2006 2:09 pm:
" The real problem is that the immigration system is broken. It's not that people necessarily come here to better their lifes--legally or illegally. It is easy for politicians and and individuals to claim that people need to come here "legally" and that they should go through the same process as everyone else. However, very few people realize how that process works and what it actually takes to be "legal." Most politicians don't even understand the immigration system. If someone simply wants to immigrate the U.S. it is virtually impossible. There is no application for simply anyone to fill out. You could get a visa through your employment--which, if done properly can take up to a year or more. And, normally, you need at least a master's degree to be able to get a work visa. Most people from poor countries don't have college degrees, let alone post-graduate education. Or, the other way to get permanent residency is through an immediate family member who is a US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. If you get married to a US Citizen you are considered for "immediate" residency, which takes, after you file the paperwork and hire an attorney, at least six months--medical exams, interviews, etc. If you apply through your brother, for example, and you are from Mexico, it can take literally DECADES. Hopefully, in the meantime you don't get married, because that could throw you off of the list. If anyone ever uses the argument that people come here to have kids so they can become residents, then that is a joke too because having a kid in the US, while making the child a citizen, does not make...and cannot give...at least for 18 years, the parents any sort of opportunity for residency. That opportunity also hinges on a lot of other qualifications. The system is broken! Should we blame those coming here for a better life? Not necessarily. Not unless there is a system which makes 'legal' immigration a realistic option. Right now it is not. My personal idea: We're having a budget crises. Make those who are here pay a fine if they want to stay here and get residency. Then, make them go through the paperwork and weed out those who have offenses, etc. Take the money earned to help the deficit that the war has created. Use the income for good. Also...this immigration reform issue is completely distinct than identity theft! "

 What a crock wrote on December 14, 2006 2:12 pm:
" Where are the articles about every criminals family? this makes no sense to me. If fair is fair, I want every criminal to have there families story in the newspaper right along side the story about them being arrested for felonies. "

 unit wrote on December 14, 2006 5:32 pm:
" It is really sad, I hate to hear the heartbreak, but they should have thought about the consequences of coming here illegaly and stealing a US citizens ID. We can not reward this type of behavior. "

 bobo wrote on December 14, 2006 8:47 pm:
" I want to see the stories of heartbreak from people who used to work at these plants but were laid off becuause of these scabs. I want the stories to be told of how peoples lives were torn up because some criminal stole their id so that they could then steal another persons job. I want the stories told about the people who were contaminated with e-coli because of these illegal lettuce pickers. Don't give me drivel and PROPAGGAGMA like this. Goerbells told us that if you repeat a lie often enough the people will begin to believe it. Don't Believe These Lies. Americans are being destroyed by the illegal, e-coli spreading, id stealing freaks. "

 sarge wrote on December 14, 2006 9:02 pm:
" they should fine employers 100,000 a person for hiring illegals and then there would not be jobs hence no need to come to the U.S.A. Then they would not leave their country for the U.S.A. and the family would not be seperated. "

 Amy wrote on December 14, 2006 10:07 pm:
" Who cares!!!!!!!!!! They were breaking the law, they're paying the consequences. "

 Voice of Reform wrote on December 14, 2006 10:31 pm:
" eloquently put right on reform!- Right now in our country there is only a 4% unemployment rate. That in my mind means those who want jobs have them. So any notion that the illegals are taking jobs, just isn't true. They are doing jobs that many do not want, and further should be too skilled to do as in this country we have better opportunities for education. I would love to see the huge number of illegals do a strike for a day. this would show the impact they have. Furhter for those who make ignorant statements like bobo (they caused the e coli, yah right)- I hope they choose not to be hypocritical and be certain not to reap the benefits of the hard work of illegals i.e. make sure not to go to restaurants, buy produce, meats from swift, stay at motels/hotels, enjoy beautiful landscaping etc. because while they are complaining and pointing fingers the illegals are making an economic impact. They are helping to keep inflation at bay. Furthermore they are taxpayers also and contribute to our social security system (even with a false s.s. #) They too pay sales tax and property tax. In my opinion we -do- need a berlin like wall between the US and Mexico. This will stop the deaths of people trying to get here for a better life,this will hinder the illegal drug traffic,and human trafficking. Also the stolen cars that cross into Mexico. Also with this wall we can then stop our fellow lawbreaking citizens from fleeing to Mexico. We need this wall, but we need reform that makes it easier for people to come here to work. The illegal immigrants take no pride in circumventing the system. They are a people who have great Catholic faith, and are deeply rooted in family tradition. It amazes me that with the history our country has of demeaning a different people and seeing the result, we choose to try to always find someone else to do the same. The Native Americans, The African Americans,Koreans, Vietnamese,Gays and now Mexicans. Who is next who will take the blame for our ills? "

 Joe Taxpayer wrote on December 14, 2006 11:42 pm:
" This is a prme example of how the lieral feel good media tries to make the criminals into the poor victims. The real victims are the people who have there identities stolen so that illegals can be employed by companies that could care less about who they hire. If an individual breaks a law the should expect to be punished when the are caught. the victims are the people who always have to pay the tab for the enforcment of these ignored laws. "

 Lin wrote on December 15, 2006 12:08 am:
" How dare you put these people down? For years I have worked with people that not only support their families here but support their famalies in other nations. These people are here to work, to do the jobs that most of the local public will not do and are getting paid far less than others. How many of us US citizens would do the same. All we care about is ourselves. No one else matters! If we can let every other nation come in here that we have been to war with and let them live tax free for years, why should we not let people live here and work. Someone needs to get a handle on who is making the job get done and who is on welfare and living better than the rest of us! "

 Typical Nebraskan Racist wrote on December 15, 2006 3:19 am:
" Round them up, including their children, and drop them from helicopters into the Gulf of Mexico. "

 Justin wrote on December 15, 2006 5:19 am:
" This is heartbreaking, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If we don't do something about the flood of illegal immigrants, the poster who said we should all try to put ourselves in their shoes and suffer grinding poverty may get her wish sooner rather than later. We can't support all these people! Reforming Mexico's corrupt government that is the cause of all this is the only viable way to fix this. "

 answer wrote on December 15, 2006 7:01 am:
" you break the law, you are separated from your family whether it is DUI or illegal entry and ID theft. have your families tell your kids that is why you are not with them this Christmas b/c you are a criminal "

 jac wrote on December 15, 2006 9:24 am:
" Noticed the lady in the above article referred to a woman. “She cannot drive. She’s illegal. She can’t speak English or anything.” So what's she doing here. Why isnt she in Iowa or where ever with her equally illegal husband. I cannot believe that Swift did not know these workers were here illegally. That defies imagination, and they and all companies that employee illegals should all be held accountable as well. Following a previous post if Swift, in GI, were fined $ 100,000.00 an illegal times 300 illegals hauled out of their operation it would be assessed $ 30,000,000.00 in fines. That oughta take care of the problem. Have no patience for these criminals. Get rid of all of them, their families and children "

 unbelieveable wrote on December 15, 2006 5:03 pm:
" The self-righteous smugness displayed in these comments is disgusting. The world is not so black and white-- try looking beyond your little world of "right and wrong" and try to understand the dynamics of poverty and then try to imagine what YOU would do for a better life for you and your family. These jobs would NEVER be entirely filled by relying on Americans. The working conditions are unimaginable and the pay is insulting. Yet-- it's a step up for many. Go ahead... "ship them back" as one of you so eloquently put it-- and see exactly what happens. Of course... it's fine until the break-down of our economic system affects YOU. Then the comments will be much different. "

 John near Lincoln wrote on December 15, 2006 6:59 pm:
" You are putting down an industry that supports many American families who have worked on those floors far longer than the hispanics who came to this country illegally. Those are my neighbors and friends who work day in/day out doing those jobs. These jobs were done by primarily by Americans - not so long ago. If the issue with illegals can be resolved, wages will go back up again. As for poverty - you can fight poverty without breaking the law. When it comes to the law - it is black and white. "

 Just Me wrote on December 15, 2006 7:21 pm:
" The more I hear about other countries and the conditions people live in. I thank God I was born in the USA. "

 vanessa humaran wrote on December 16, 2006 12:43 am:
" These parents were thinking about their children when they came to this country. Mexico has no future at this point for children. Latinos are not criminals for wanting the best for their children. Out of all the people who were taken from swift in Grand Island only 1 person had a warrant. The criminals are the ones who steal the identity not the ones who buy a permit to work. Sometimes these social security cards come with child support, and these people have to work for kids they don't know. Put yourself in their shoes, and instead of using "illegal immigration" as an excuse for some of you to express your racism and ignorance. Just remember Mexicans are moving up in this world slowly but surely. You can't deport us all!!!! "

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