Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Illegal Alien Angst Alert!

Durham (North Carolina) raid causes illegal immigrants elsewhere to stay home:
A raid at a Durham semiconductor company has stirred up fears among illegal immigrants who fear they also may be arrested.
As opposed to what? A visit from the Welcome Wagon?
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested three dozen suspected illegal workers at Cree, which has a contract with the Defense Department.

Ann Robertson, an immigration lawyer who represents employers and who works with the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh, says people are terrified. The illegal immigrants who work for other private businesses are staying at home, and Robertson says she has never seen a similar situation during the 15 years she has practiced immigration law.
I'd say it was about time then, although "home" apparently doesn't refer to their native lands.
Tom O'Connell, the resident ICE agent in charge, says he received about 30 phone calls Monday from lawyers representing employers whose workers were absent, and from the consulate and its legal team.
I hope he explained to them about the "illegal" in "illegal alien" since it's apparent they don't have a clue. Hmm, I thought lawyers were officers of the court. They wouldn't be aiding and abetting criminal behavior would they?