With well over 1,000,000 deporations of Mexicans since taking office, the Obama administration has nearly doubled the number of ‘immigration enforcements’ conducted during the Bush Era. A ruthless feat, nearly surpassing the Hoover Administration’s forced “repatriation” during the Great Depression, that sent over 1.2 million Mexicans, many who were US-Born citizens and didn’t speak Spanish, back to Mexico on cattle-cars.
Statistics alone fails to describe the suffering and injustice of the Immigration and Citizen Enforcement (ICE).
As a Mexican-American and bilingual human resources worker, often hired to staff low wage factories where mainly Spanish is spoken, I know there is always the threat of a raid. Last winter, an official from ICE announced a ‘random audit’ of official employment documents. The subpoena, required the company officials to hand over paperwork and terminate “undocumented” workers, or pay stiff fines and go to jail. Although experienced immigration lawyers tried to avert the enforcement, which saved several employees, ICE policy ruled. Twenty four workers who were not able to prove their ‘right to work’ were dismissed without incident; expect of course, for the broken dreams, dismay, tears, and the sullen expression left on the faces of those that were left to pick up the pieces.
The company struggled for months to fill the hole left in the workforce, but found only a few qualified craftsmen who were skilled enough and willing to accept the low wages. Production suffered and many were laid off, including myself.
All were hard workers, artisans, leaders, and craftsmen who were responsible for the company’s success. So dependable and loyal, they did not even take paid vacation days off when their skills were needed to meet production. All were raising families, sending money home; paying more than their fair share of taxes; never being able to receive an income tax return, or qualify for any social benefits.
Many good people were lost in the raid, not just our co-workers, but our friends. All twenty four were from Mexico or Central America and victims of failed US trade, drug, and foreign policy. Most workers had been displaced by the severe economic collapse in Mexico caused by the free trade agreement, NAFTA. Many were parents who escaped from the violence of a ‘Drug War’, made work by ATF weapons flowing “Fast and Furios” into Mexico. Some were political refugees from Central America oppressed by US trained death squads and corporate mercenaries protecting the investments of the their Wall Street Banksters.
Where is the justice for these economically displaced workers, the parents fleeing violence, and the political refugees who came to ‘El Norte’ in search of anfair day’s pay for honest days work?
