Newsletter
Summer 2004
Immigration Tactics Spread Fear Among Latino Community
Border Patrol agents arrested more than 400 undocumented immigrants
during sweeps in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in early
June 2004. In response, Cardinal Roger Mahony issued a letter asking
for a meeting with top federal officials to address concerns that
such immigration tactics have generated fear, confusion, and anger
throughout Hispanic neighborhoods in Southern California. Bishop
Edward Clark also issued a statement calling for an immediate moratorium
on the immigration raids.
The City Project's Executive Director Robert García testified
on June 25, 2004, before a State Assembly hearing on the raids.
The Los Angeles Times reported on June 26, 2004, that
pressure from community leaders had prompted Undersecretary of
Homeland Security Asa Hutchinson to call a halt to the sweeps and
agree to a review of the responsible Border Patrol operation. Hutchinson
acknowledged that the raids were not consistent with department
policy.
The Times also reported that while "Hutchinson pledged
to keep a closer eye on such operations in the future," he "...did
not discount that there would be similar sweeps in the coming months."
We urge you to seek justice and peace by writing to President
George W. Bush and Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein
supporting the moratorium on immigration raids:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Senator Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Senator Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
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Deportation of Mexican-Americans © Judith Baca. 