ICE sweeps 'damaging' to community

Immigration activists organize Pomona protest

By Sara A. Carter, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Article Launched:01/25/2007 12:00:00 AM PST

As the president asked lawmakers to compromise on immigration reform during his State of the Union address, a number of local activists started planning a large protest over what they see as dangerous raids on innocent immigrants.

Last week, 761 illegal immigrants from 14 countries - including Mexico, Honduras, Ukraine, India, Japan, Poland and Trinidad - were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

The action, "Operation Return to Sender," was part of a long series of sweeps that began nationwide in June.

Timothy Campos, a student at Pitzer College who is organizing the Friday protest, said the raids have a damaging effect on the people in the community. The march is set to start at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the Pomona day laborer center, 1682 W. Mission Blvd.

"We're trying to let everybody know how we feel about these government raids," Campos said. "I feel like these raids are preying on the innocent people. It does have an effect on the community, and many of the students here work closely with the day labor center in Pomona.

Preying on the Innocent? Wake up and smell the chorizo! These peole violated the sovereignty of this nation. they violated the law. They are not innocent. They are guilty of a crime! -mm