Immigration Raid In Portland, OR

Immigration officers arrested 165 in an immigrationraid in Portland, OR.

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.

The investigation began six months ago after officials received tips. Investigators then sent in an undercover informant posing as someone looking for employment at Fresh Del Monte.

He was told by an ASR representative that a fake social security card would be O.K., as long as it looked like an official government document.

So not only did ICE bust illegal immigrants, they also busted some HR managers who flagarantly violated the law.

This quote also makes a sad point:

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."

Once again, Democrats are looking at this issue as a "labor issue" rather than a law enforcement issue. Just because these workers provide labor does not make them exempt from the laws. These people knowingly provided a false document, granted probably at the insistence of the HR managers also arrested, in order to make it look legal. At best they are guilty of conspiracy and violating immigration laws, at worse they are guilt of forgery. In either case, they deserve to be arrested.