Getting Closer to Answers on Immigration Sweeps
More than 1,400 pages of records released to the ACLU of Southern California as a result of its vigorous pursuit of information about last summer’s immigration raids in communities throughout the region have revealed alarming information about who was targeted.
In June 2004, more than 400 people were arrested during sweeps conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), a division of the Department of Homeland Security. The sweeps occurred in neighborhood areas near schools, bus stations, homes and hospitals. Both U.S. citizens and permanent residents were questioned during the raids in cities from Imperial County to Kern County. Most of the cities targeted were far from the CBP’s normal jurisdiction near international borders.
The ACLU/SC response included filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) demanding detailed information about the raids, such as exactly who was questioned, detained and deported by CBP agents, and why.
“Because these raids were so unusual and intrusive, they sparked tremendous fear in the community. People wanted an explanation, so we filed this case to find out the facts about why the raids happened,” said Ramona Ripston, Executive Director of the ACLU of Southern California. “When people know what their government is up to, there is greater trust in the system as well as greater knowledge of how to improve the system.”
The FOIA documents, belie CBP initial claims that the raids were based on specific intelligence, said Ranjana Natarajan, an ACLU/SC staff attorney. They also reveal that Homeland Security and border patrol officials in Washington, DC knew nothing of the raids ahead of time. There is nothing in the 1,400 pages of documents released showing prior approval from national headquarters.
Nataranjan said, “There is plenty to be alarmed about in what the documents do reveal.”
• A total of 423 people were arrested. Some of them were in cities 250 miles from the Mexican border.
• People standing at bus stops, and day labor sites and routine pedestrians were questioned by agents.
• Agents suspected people of not being U.S. citizens simply because they spoke Spanish.
• At least 45 people who are citizens or legal residents were stopped and questioned.
• At least one police department denied giving intelligence to CBP officials before the raid. Immigration officials claimed that the raids were based partly on information provided by local police.
After the raids, CBP was told by officials at Homeland Security to step aside and focus on law enforcement at the border. Another agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was to take care of intra-border immigration enforcement.
The issue is not over. The ACLU/SC continues to negotiate with CBP officials for more documents the agency still refuses to turn over.
SEPTEMBER 2005
Download Issue as PDF
Stop Election Discrimination Against Jewish Voters
Countering Military Recruitment in Local Schools
The O'Connor Seat: Who Watches the Watchmen
Getting Closer to Answers on Immigration Sweeps
Budget Decisions Erode California's Safety Net
Struggle Over Student Censorship Continues
Yo siempre he sido rebelde. Aunque soy chiquita, yo siempre he luchado por defender mis derechos.*
ACLU Activism Influences State Legislative Efforts
Mandatory Parental Notification Law
Military Attorneys Highlight of 2005 Biennial
