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Union rents vans to bring detainees back

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By The Associated Press

Thursday, Dec 14, 2006 - 06:53:16 pm CST

GRAND ISLAND — The union representing Grand Island meatpacking workers is renting vans to transport detainees of Tuesday’s federal raid at Swift & Co. back to Nebraska.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials rounded up 261 workers at the Grand Island plant during a sweep for illegal immigrants.

The raid was part of an investigation of identity theft by workers at Swift plants in Grand Island; Greeley, Colo.; Cactus, Texas; Hyrum, Utah; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Worthington, Minn. In all, 1,282 Swift workers were detained Tuesday.

Story Photo
An unidentified woman, right, yells to onlookers as she is escorted to a waiting bus on Tuesday during a raid by federal agents of suspected illegal immigrants at the Swift & Co. plant in Grand Island. (AP)

But Dan Hoppes, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 22, said some of the Grand Island employees have done nothing wrong.

“What we’re finding out is a lot of these folks are not illegal,” he said.

The union is renting vans to pick up workers that are being released from detention at Iowa’s Camp Dodge and bring them home, Hoppes said.

Immigration lawyers, religious leaders, union leaders and social service agents said Wednesday that hundreds of workers, likely from Grand Island, Marshalltown and Worthington, were bused Tuesday to Camp Dodge, which serves as headquarters to the Iowa National Guard.

Tim Counts, spokesman for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to confirm whether any Swift employees were being held there.


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Bill Krumm, Dallas TX wrote on December 14, 2006 7:18 pm:
" I am appalled that our gov't has resorted to this method to validate identity. 1939 ? ? "

 Plater wrote on December 15, 2006 3:23 am:
" Even Vanguard was better than this mess. "

 nitemare wrote on December 15, 2006 6:18 am:
" Send 'em all back to where they came from. Then make them come across legally. We have to live by the laws. Why don't the illegal immigrants? We have become a minority in our own country!!! "

 disqualified state senator wrote on December 15, 2006 7:15 am:
" the fed's have once again shown their skills in persecuting the weak, I for one can't figure out why those really responsible (our political leaders) are never called to account for this mess/ With the apparent lack of terrorist to chase I guess by incarserating the downtrodden the feds have create a raison d' etre. "

 Good point wrote on December 15, 2006 7:29 am:
" If there are American citizens being detained for the "crime" of appearing Hispanic, those responsible for these raids should be immediately removed from their positions of authority. Instead, they'll likely get something akin to "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job!" Remember those glorious days of yesteryear when American government wasn't mostly a bad joke? And, when Americans weren't quite the hypocrites they are today? We want cheap food and services, the kind only illegal workers provide, yet we complain bitterly that they're here, and treat them and their families like dirt. Lovely. Tis' the Season -- for hypocrisy. "

 joe vocht wrote on December 15, 2006 8:17 am:
" Bill, I'm with you 100%. These are definitely nazi-like tactics! But when you add this to the illegal and immoral war we are conducting its clear where we, as a nation, are heading toward a path of fascism and we better wake up soon! "

 American dream wrote on December 15, 2006 10:06 am:
" Who is "we" and who are we becoming a minority to? Last time I checked, U.S. citizen are in no way in any danger of becoming a minority to illegal immigrants. Maybe you meant something different? "

 What is with whitey? wrote on December 15, 2006 11:07 am:
" I am white and never knew that Nebraska had so many racists. Ok, sure they are illegal and maybe should be deported/ That does not give all posters the right to be racist. Can legal immigrants have jobs? I think a lot of you are putting out your racist beliefes and putting non-white people in the same category as illegals. "

 Why should we be nice? wrote on December 15, 2006 12:41 pm:
" IF they are illegal then take them to the border and drop them off. If there is a chance of any being legal let them stay. My point is don't spend money to find out if they are legal , just drop them off at the border then they can cross very easily and find a trip back.Why are we being so nice, mexico goverment is very rough and strict on american who break the law there. United States needs to take charge and deal with the problems these people have caused here. Point is: If they are legal make them prove it in a timely matter. they can come back if they are legal, if not we have allowed to be in their country and with their families they left behind. In united States you are guilty until proven innocent Right? "

 What? wrote on December 15, 2006 2:58 pm:
" Yeah, sure, just take 'em a thousand miles away from their families and let 'em make their way back! Do you have any idea how little most of these people are paid? Man, I don't have the resources right now to make my way home if somebody dropped me off a thousand miles away. What's wrong with you? The way for the U.S. to take charge, as you like to put it, is NOT by brutalizing innocent people. Really, is that the dream of our Founders? Yikes. "

 Jesus wrote on December 15, 2006 4:34 pm:
" If someone walked up to you on the street and asked for proof of citizenship, could you do it right away? I for one don't carry my birth certificate with me, but maybe I should think about doing so. "

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