A raid on a San Diego restaurant in May. (AP Photo)
Over the course of this blog, News 21 readers have learned about Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in Postville, Iowa, Laurel, Miss. and Greenville, S.C. Each of these raids led to the detention of hundreds of immigrants, the disruption of communities and widespread outcry. Now, a bill in the Senate would regulate these raids, ensuring that U.S. citizens are not caught in them, and that detainees are informed of, and not deprived of, their rights.
In the “Findings” section of the bill, which was sponsored by Senators Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and written with the help of the ACLU, the text reads in part:
Since 2006, the Department of Homeland Security and partnering law enforcement agents have amplified enforcement actions at the workplace, on the street, and inside the homes of individuals… A large majority of the children affected by such enforcement actions are United States citizens and the youngest and most vulnerable in our society, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers… In several recent immigration raids and immigration enforcement activities, officials at United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement have unlawfully detained United States citizens and lawful permanent residents.
Among other things, the bill would require Homeland Security officials to “notify State and local child welfare authorities of such immigration-related enforcement activity not later than 24 hours before the commencement of such activity” and to provide for social services for the children and families of detained immigrants.
Look up the Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Raids and Detention Act on Thomas to read the whole thing.
The bill, which will not be voted on this fall but will likely be carried over into the next Congress, is designed primarily to express Senate Democrats’ disapproval of large-scale I.C.E. raids. This disapproval has been echoed in many corners, including by the Chicago City Council and by businesses and locals in the areas affected by the raids.
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