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Immigration Busts Have Whiff of Politics

Raids on the rise, as White House tries to impress conservatives

Posted Jul 28, 2007 7:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – Massive workplace raids, conducted by armed federal agents and targeting illegal immigrants, are on the rise, and the reason, critics charge, is that the White House wants to curry favor with conservatives. In the first five months of '07, Salon reports, 3,226 undocumented workers were arrested in these expensive operations; in all of 2002, the total was 485.

The raids have been described as stampedes, the treatment of workers, inhumane; some illegals have been detained while their children were left stranded. And yet the raids do nothing to solve the problem of illegal immigration, critics agree. There was speculation the busts would decrease after the President's immigration bill was defeated in Congress, but that apparently isn't happening

Mario Crespo, in silhouette and on the U.S. side of the border at right, visits with his wife Angelica Oliveros through the international border fence on Father's Day in Tijuana, Mexico, Sunday, June... (Associated Press)

Border Patrol agents detain a family of illegal immigrants taken into custody from a car near the U.S.Mexico Border in Laredo, Texas, Friday, June 1, 2007. President Bush challenged lawmakers on Friday... (Associated Press)

A federal law enforcement officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and a working police dog patrol an area in front of the federal courthouse where Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is... (Associated Press)

Angel Osorio, 3, left, plays near his father, Edgar Osorio, top left, mother, Sara Castelan, right, and brother, Kevin Osorio, as the family listens in an overflow room as the Prince William County board... (Associated Press)

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Immigration Busts Have Whiff of Politics

Raids on the rise, as White House tries to impress conservatives

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Mitch McConnell Wants to 'Review' 14th Amendment

That pesky part about birthright citizenship

Obama's Secret Weapon on Immigration: Evangelicals

Pro-reform Hispanic evangelicals a growing political force

Jan Brewer: Most Illegals Running Drugs

And most Arizona governors are racist, say critics

Undocumented Harvard Student May Be Deported

Teen crossed border 15 years ago, says he'll fight to stay

Calif. Rep: Deport US-Born Kids of Illegals

'Takes more than walk across border'

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Immigration Busts Have Whiff of Politics

Raids on the rise, as White House tries to impress conservatives

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

illegal immigrant • immigration reform • raids • illegal employment • immigrant

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mitch McConnell Wants to 'Review' 14th Amendment

That pesky part about birthright citizenship

Obama's Secret Weapon on Immigration: Evangelicals

Pro-reform Hispanic evangelicals a growing political force

Jan Brewer: Most Illegals Running Drugs

And most Arizona governors are racist, say critics

Undocumented Harvard Student May Be Deported

Teen crossed border 15 years ago, says he'll fight to stay

Calif. Rep: Deport US-Born Kids of Illegals

'Takes more than walk across border'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?