FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2008 

MEDIA CONTACT:press@ufcw.org

NATIONAL COMMISSION INVESTIGATING MISCONDUCT BY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENTS HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING IN ATLANTA 

Hearing examines impact of immigration raids in Georgia and Tennessee on workers, communities and local economies

ATLANTA – A national commission investigating the policies and practices of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) held its fourth regional public hearing today in Atlanta. The hearing focused on the impact of workplace immigration raids in the region, and examined how the execution of these raids is part of a wider pattern of ICE misconduct occurring across the country.

"This commission was formed to bring together leaders from a cross section of our nation to conduct hearings on allegations of abuse and misconduct by immigration agents," said Joseph T. Hansen, founding chairman of the commission and president of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union. "The fact that at each location we are hearing similar stories of heavy-handed tactics by immigration agents is deeply troubling and points to the systemic and recurring nature of these injustices."

Commissioners heard testimony about recent ICE enforcement action in the South. Social service and policy experts also discussed the widespread and lasting emotional and psychological damage of the raids—particularly on children and families.

Representative John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Dr. Joseph Lowery, president of the Coalition for the Peoples’ Agenda, participated in the hearing.

On December 12, 2006, ICE agents stormed six meatpacking plants in the Midwest in search of undocumented workers. More than 12,000 workers were herded together at gunpoint and denied access to phones, bathrooms, families and legal counsel. The UFCW represents workers at five of the plants, including Worthington, Minn.; Greeley, Colo.; Cactus, Tex.; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Grand Island, Neb. 

"Our nation’s immigration system is clearly broken," added Hansen. "But a broken immigration system does not give immigration agents license to break the law, violate the Constitution and to punish hard working U.S. citizens."

On September 12, 2007, the UFCW filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to protect the 4th amendment rights of all Americans and enjoin the government from illegally arresting and detaining workers, including U.S. citizens and legal residents, while at their workplace.

The hearing in Atlanta is part of a series of regional public meetings that the commission will hold to explore the execution, implications and ramifications of workplace enforcement actions on local communities. The commission will also look into claims that ICE has engaged in constitutional violations of the 4th amendment. After a thorough investigation, the commission will produce a public report that highlights its findings and makes recommendations to ensure constitutional protections for all Americans.

Civilian-driven investigations are common in U.S. history. During the civil rights movement, internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, and more recently in cities with allegations of police brutality, citizen review commissions were formed to investigate violations, shine a light on misconduct, and provide recommendations about how to reform the system.

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