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After an Immigration Raid

Several years ago my house was hit by a tornado in the Atlanta, GA area. The actual hit was fast and furious. It sounded like a train had hit the house. My home had around $100,000 worth of damage. One moment you are huddled up in a bathroom, the next moment looking up at the stars through your bedroom ceiling.

In life, we all experience storms that assail us. The storm itself is usually fast and many times furious. It's the recuperation on the backside that is so painful and requires so much patience.

I want to draw your attention to the overlooked effects of immigration raids on families and whole communities.

Back on May 12, we had the largest immigration raid in U.S. history in Pottsville, Iowa. This was their tornado. Families that had been established there for years; mostly Mexicans and Guatemalans. 389 Agriprocessor employees were detained. Around 60 (women with small children) were released pending court dates based on humanitarian grounds. As if small children don't need their fathers!

Many businesses in this small Iowa town are on the verge of collapse, both Latino and American owned.

Some people read this and say, "so what?" This is what they deserve.

I have a question for you. Please think about it and answer it honestly. Here's the question: If there were a famine or deeply distressing economic times (a depression) here and if there were good jobs and opportunities in Mexico, would you cross the border to give your children or family a better life? Be honest. The truth will set you free.

I have asked this question to many groups and when people are honest it is unanimous. Yes, I would cross. I love my family that much. Heads nod all over the room. Is your head nodding?

Our system of immigration is broken and needs to be fixed. There is no question about this. Until then, as a people, we should at the very least allow people to live in dignity and permit them the opportunity to provide for their families. This is the goal of the vast majority of Latinos in this country. If you are on the side of "well that's the law, they deserve what they get" I can only pray for you that when your time comes (and it will) that you will find mercy in the eyes of those around you.
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posted by Ricardo González on August 19, 2008

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