Autopsy Of An ICE Raid
By TOM FREDRIKSEN
June 12, 2008 - Humboldt County, CA - PipeLineNews.org - Humboldt County, long known for its commercial marijuana growing operations has garnered additional attention recently due to an immigration crackdown on the flower growing industry.
Local NBC affiliate KIEM, reported this week that a large local flower grower, Sun Valley Group, with facilities throughout the state of California, had received a letter from Immigration and Custom Enforcement [ICE] that 283 of approximately 500 of its Arcata employees were using false identification. The notification came as a result of an I-9 audit initiated by The Customs and Immigration Enforcement as a result of a complaint to the agency.
Public Affairs ICE spokesperson Virginia Kice, related to local Eureka newspaper, The Times Standard, that this is commonly only a first step in an investigation into broader illegal activities that can lead to uncovering the harboring and smuggling of workers and possible tax evasion.
When contacted by this writer, Ms. Kice would neither confirm nor deny that such an investigation is taking place.
In response to a question dealing with the responsibility of local law enforcement on immigration matters, Kice stated that only departments trained through the federal program 287G, are authorized to take more direct action in enforcement of federal immigration laws. According to Kice, no law enforcement agency in Humboldt County is a part of that program, though she added that there was nothing stopping local law enforcement from investigating crimes such as identity theft, and that as a result of such investigations, any possible persons found to be in the United States illegally could be detained.
According to Humboldt Co Sherriff spokeswoman Brenda Godsey, no such investigation by the local law enforcement agencies was underway, or being planned. She stated that they are waiting for someone who possibly has had their identity stolen to contact their office to initiate an investigation. She did not however indicate how those whose identities were stolen would become aware of the crime.
Contacting the local District Attorney office, it was learned that while there are certainly issues that warrant investigation, no plans are currently underway to investigate the company or the individuals involved. When asked what is to stop the hundreds of ICE identified illegal aliens from moving to another company in the area, both the local District Attorney and Sherriff office related "nothing." Both agencies related that just being aware of the situation was not enough to proceed with their own investigations.
A check with local businesses revealed that the workforce at the Sun Valley Group growing operation was made up almost entirely of workers from Mexico. One local convenience store worker who wished to remain unidentified, related, "a great majority of them [Sun Valley employees] don't even speak English."
The Sun Valley flower growing operation is located adjacent to Humboldt State University. A call to the local college student work placement office indicated that there are hundreds of students currently looking for employment to assist with their education, both full and part time. Calls to the company to inquire as to why only foreign workers are employed when a ready labor force is available and willing were un returned.
The situation in Humboldt County brings to light a breakdown in the illegal alien enforcement system. ICE properly acted on a complaint of extensive possible violation of Custom and Immigration law, identifying both company and individuals. Although the process took over seven months, it was conducted.
The question remains, however. To what end?
Many in the rural community are scratching their heads at the lack of follow up by law enforcement agencies and are wondering if Humboldt County, due to its apparent lack of interest, has joined the "sanctuary county" cadre of cities and counties across the country either unable or unwilling to enforce Federal law.
While at first glance, one is quick to applaud the efforts of ICE, this controversy illustrates the critical problem - with no enforcement follow-up of the identified individuals, they are free to obtain new false identification and once again start working illegally.
While not specifically speaking about the Arcata situation, ICE spokeswoman Kice observed absent formalized deportation proceeding, that these workplace enforcement actions tend to motivate illegal aliens to "self deport."
The flaw with that however, is why should they leave, since no one is coming after them?
For further information regarding this issue please visit Old Glory Radio CA Flower Grower Busted By ICE
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