Department of Homeland Security raids Laurel, MS plant

[NateHodge]

UPDATE: New numbers are in. Nearly 600 detained. I think the exact number is 595. It is now the single largest immigrant raid in U.S. history. And I saw it firsthand. WOOT!

Story (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-08-25-raid_N.htm)

Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,411121,00.html)


Dept. of Homeland Security confirms 350 illegal immigrants found at Howard Industries


LAUREL, Miss. — Federal immigration agents arrested some 350 suspected undocumented workers in a raid on a Mississippi electrical equipment plant Monday, authorities announced, hours after sealing all entrances amid reports their sweep had idled normal operations.
Barbara Gonzalez, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman, confirmed the arrests in the raid that she said targeted Howard Industries Inc. of Laurel. Authorities said more people could be arrested.

The company produces dozens of products ranging from electrical transformers to medical supplies, according to the company's Web site.

"This is a targeted enforcement operation that is part of an ongoing ICE investigation that has revealed that illegal aliens are employed at Howard Industries," Gonzalez said, adding late Monday that agents were still interviewing plant workers.

She declined to say how many federal agents were involved in the raid, but said they acted on a tip provided by a union worker.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Internet | Iowa | Mississippi | Customs Enforcement | Hattiesburg | Laurel | Agriprocessors
Another agency spokesman, Brandon Montgomery, told The Associated Press outside the plant Monday afternoon that agents were talking with everyone who worked at the sprawling plant to determine their residency status.

He said that 50 of those suspected of being illegal workers were eligible for some form of "alternative to detention" -- a concession that could allow them to be placed on a monitoring device while awaiting a caseworker for "humanitarian reasons" such as children in their care.

All plant entrances were blocked, with tents set up at some ICE checkpoints to keep agents out of a steady rain. Motorists traveling on roads behind the plant were stopped by officers in unmarked vehicles and told to leave.

People leaving the plant told The Hattiesburg American newspaper that so many illegal immigrants were arrested that operations were shut down. It wasn't clear how many workers the plant employed.

A recording at Howard Industries plant on Monday said the telephone switchboard was closed.

Billy Howard, the company's chief executive officer, did not immediately respond to a message left by The AP. A man who answered a phone call at the company's security station said reporters would have to call back Tuesday.

Howard Industries was founded in the 1960s. In 2002, state lawmakers approved a $31.5 million, taxpayer-backed incentive plan aimed at helping to expand its operations.

The raid is one of several nationwide in recent years.

On May 12, federal immigration officials swept into Agriprocessors, the nation's largest kosher meatpacking plant, in Iowa. Nearly 400 workers were detained and dozens of fraudulent permanent resident alien cards were seized from the plant's human resources department, court records showed.




ICE Raid pics (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb274/n8hodge/ICE%20Raid/)


Here is a link to a few pics of the area. Image 12 of the buses was taken from the parking lot of my work. That building in the background is actually a truck sales and service company located just beside the shipping docks(image 13). Image 13 is just to the left of the buses and directly across the road from the front office of my building. A company that we do a lot of business with said that they had to rent a forklift to get some illegals out of the rafters. A woman that works with my mom has a BIL that works there. He said that when ICE busted up in the plant, it looked like a bunch of cockroaches scattering when you turn on the lights.

[cjlandry]

All I can say is, wow.

[rmc85]

thats a lot of paperwork!

[NateHodge]

All I can say is, wow.


Yep. My thoughts exactly when I was headed to work this morning. At first, I just saw a few flashing lights at an intersection. Thought it was a wreck considering that the intersection is kind of dangerous. When I got to it, I realized they had the gate locked down. Then I saw the ICE agents standing guard about every 100' down the fence. I knew exactly what was happening then. I didn't need a reporter to tell me. Howard Ind. is well known for working illegals. He ships them in and helps them with housing, then tries to cover it up in his comments to the press like he didn't know they were illegals.

[armorplated]

Let's see. 350 illegals down. 30 million to go. At that rate...........

[BLACKMAGICK]

Let's see. 350 illegals down. 30 million to go. At that rate...........

Yes, but it's busts like these that will make companies think twice.

[rsagona1]

Link is MIA.

[michael t]

How about a million $ fine for each one of them.Fine to be Paid by head of company and his board
and each to due 1 year with no time off all 365 days

[For Liberty]

How about a million $ fine for each one of them.Fine to be Paid by head of company and his board
and each to due 1 year with no time off all 365 days

This isn't Red China.:rofl:

[HollowHead]

Illegals aren't the problem. Companies like these are. HH

[GlockFish]

Illegals aren't the problem. Companies like these are. HH


Illegals are the problem. And so are companies like this.

[PeterJasonMN]

ICE has started raiding some poultry plants in SW MN. The Red Star Tribune and it's ilk have published a bunch of sob stories about how fear is enveloping these towns, and the Mexicans in these towns are afraid they'll be deported.

:crying:


Of course, they're in fear because they are here illegally.

[mnglocker]

ICE has started raiding some poultry plants in SW MN. The Red Star Tribune and it's ilk have published a bunch of sob stories about how fear is enveloping these towns, and the Mexicans in these towns are afraid they'll be deported.

:crying:


Of course, they're in fear because they are here illegally.


If it means anyhting to you Peter, when I worked for a radio station in western MN in one of the raided towns. We made fun of the illegals on the air, and that's also what we called them. Not the pc bull crap "undocumented worker" stuff the bird cage liners print.

[jtmac]

I'm just amazed this has happened in Laurel, Mississippi. My, how things can change in a few years.

When I was there, Mississippi had practically no Hispanics. Heck, Hattiesburg/Laurel didn't even have enough to run a good Mexican restaurant (the major one had the slogan "Our accent is on the plate".).

When did they all come in, I wonder? Was it in the post-Katrina rebuilding?

[WileyG27]

I'm just amazed this has happened in Laurel, Mississippi. My, how things can change in a few years.

When I was there, Mississippi had practically no Hispanics. Heck, Hattiesburg/Laurel didn't even have enough to run a good Mexican restaurant (the major one had the slogan "Our accent is on the plate".).

When did they all come in, I wonder? Was it in the post-Katrina rebuilding?

No, they started coming en masse around 2000, before that they were trickling in. In Meridian we;ve had a good number for over a decade.

But I'm surprised Howard Industries hired that many...damn!

Maybe this will be the start of a new trend and start actually enforcing the immigration laws. Now wouldn't that be different??

[gwalchmai]

Sounds like a good start! What does Howard Industries make and who uses their products? I say we boycott any company that does so.

[Natty]

Border Patrol is not stopping the invasion.

Glad to see Homeland Security getting things done.

[HarlDane]

Border Patrol is not stopping the invasion.

Glad to see Homeland Security getting things done.The Border Patrol is part of Homeland Security.

[vote Republican]

"350 suspected undocumented workers"

whose fault is it that they are undocumented? Heads should roll!!!!!!11

[PeterJasonMN]

If it means anyhting to you Peter, when I worked for a radio station in western MN in one of the raided towns. We made fun of the illegals on the air, and that's also what we called them. Not the pc bull crap "undocumented worker" stuff the bird cage liners print.



Nice. Yeah, that BS is a good reason I never go out Willmar way. I have no urge to go to Minnmexico.

[mnglocker]

Nice. Yeah, that BS is a good reason I never go out Willmar way. I have no urge to go to Minnmexico.

That's no joke, over half the population of Willmar is illegals.

[FastDraw McGraw]

Illegals are the problem. And so are companies like this.

+1......:wavey:

[NeverMore1701]

I saw part of the bust they did a while (year and a half?!) back up in Dumas, Tx. Was funny.

[OrangeJoe]

ICE has started raiding some poultry plants in SW MN. The Red Star Tribune and it's ilk have published a bunch of sob stories about how fear is enveloping these towns, and the Mexicans in these towns are afraid they'll be deported.

:crying:


Of course, they're in fear because they are here illegally.

+1 Lo que el dijo. (What he said.) Now, I am sure there are some 'Born in East LA' type of cases and that of course would occupy the mind of any 'mexican-looking' American (I'm guessing central American Indian look), but I'm sure that is not what most reporters refer to on the newscasts I see. :(

Somebody in HR is either talking or getting ready to go to prison.

[jeager]

Interesting it is an electronics manufacturing plant, and not agriculture-based.

http://www.howard-ind.com/DefaultPage.asp

Seems like major-infastructure kinda stuff.
If those employees suddenly self-deported, that entire region would be back in the stone age.

[Z71bill]

I just heard a new term on CNN -

Instead of "undocumented worker" - they use the term "border crosser"

Doesn't that sound better? :upeyes:

[M2 Carbine]

I hope like the May 12 raid the company executives are looking at jail time.


Last week I ate at the Ponchos I frequent.
Holy cow there were white guys working there.

I guess US citizens will work the jobs that the illegals are doing.:upeyes:

[OrangeJoe]

I hope like the May 12 raid the company executives are looking at jail time.


Last week I ate at the Ponchos I frequent.
Holy cow there were white guys working there.

I guess US citizens will work the jobs that the illegals are doing.:upeyes:

What? You've never seen a white, bue eyed Mexican? The country WAS founded by west Europeans.

[Rooster Rugburn]

It won't matter until they start dragging the CEO, HR manager, and the HR staff out with the illegals.

[MarcoPolo]

Wow, LAUREL? I was in Laurel about 10 years ago and the local had a horrible time finding jobs. Many were leaving to go work any job they could get at the local casinos. THAT is what is so messed up about this.

BTW, the Border Patrol would LOVE to do it right.. they are so handcuffed right now it's pathetic. Can you imagine fearing going to jail for actually enforcing the border?

[NateHodge]

I'm just amazed this has happened in Laurel, Mississippi. My, how things can change in a few years.

When I was there, Mississippi had practically no Hispanics. Heck, Hattiesburg/Laurel didn't even have enough to run a good Mexican restaurant (the major one had the slogan "Our accent is on the plate".).

When did they all come in, I wonder? Was it in the post-Katrina rebuilding?

That's La FIesta Brava, the actual slogan is, "Our Accent is on the Taste!" Now there is Mexican restaurants all over the place. Here in Laurel, there are 4, ans something like 8 or 9 in Hattiesburg. Most have closed their doors, either because they lost their help, or in protest.

No, they have been here for quiet some time. Long before Katrina. Between Howard Ind. and the 2 chicken plants in Laurel, another chicken plant in Bay Springs, and several other businesses, I'd say it has been a problem at least 10 years, maybe longer.




Sounds like a good start! What does Howard Industries make and who uses their products? I say we boycott any company that does so.

Their main business is electrical transformers. When Katrina came through, Howard Ind. had power restored within 24 hours. Since my work is directly across the street, so did we. Most everybody else went 2 weeks or more without power. Can't rebuild without power right? They made it possible to have electricity restored. You can't boycott that.:wavey:

Jaeger has already given us a link. Fortunately, he is wrong about the self deporting and stone age. Billy Howard will continue to run Howard Ind. even if he has to pay more in wages. He'll just forward the cost on to the consumer. Guess who will foot THAT bill. You can bet this bust will come at a price.

[packinaglock]

How about a million $ fine for each one of them.Fine to be Paid by head of company and his board
and each to due 1 year with no time off all 365 days
This is exactly what needs to be done to all employers that are caught with them!!!

[forthehalibut]

Mandatory hard-time on a chain gang for all company executives, along with massive personal fines.

Their chain gang duty could be to build to border wall, alongside the illegals who worked for them.:cool:

[i8547]

Border Patrol is not stopping the invasion.

Glad to see Homeland Security getting things done.

Glad to see ignorance is still doing its thing as well. The United States Border Patrol falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

We would gladly love to do our job and go out each morning, day, and night fully intent on doing it to the best of our abilities. However, with the lack of manpower, resources, and prosecutorial backing to successfully gain operational control of an area, it is nothing more than a pipe dream for us to ever secure our nations borders from illegal aliens or contraband.

It has nothing to do with being afraid to do our job at the risk of going to jail. My colleagues and I have no hesitation in getting confrontational, physical, or utilizing deadly force with those we encounter each shift who may warrant such. But when we arrest someone at the beginning of the shift only to see them coming back several more times during the following days, it is a slap in the face. When we have these foot guides and load drivers being released from custody days later, it shows that our government doesn't care. I could go on, but it won't make much of a difference.

[gwalchmai]

Billy Howard will continue to run Howard Ind. even if he has to pay more in wages. He'll just forward the cost on to the consumer. Guess who will foot THAT bill. You can bet this bust will come at a price. A famous American patriot once said "Get rid of the illegals. I don't care if I have to pay $5 for a head of lettuce."

This country doesn't belong to us. It was given to us in trust by our grandparents, to hold for our grandchildren. If we aren't willing to make a few sacrifices to keep it we don't deserve it.

[NateHodge]

A famous American patriot once said "Get rid of the illegals. I don't care if I have to pay $5 for a head of lettuce."

This country doesn't belong to us. It was given to us in trust by our grandparents, to hold for our grandchildren. If we aren't willing to make a few sacrifices to keep it we don't deserve it.



I agree 100%. I'll be glad to pay a few dollars more as long as I know that few dollars is staying in my city, or even country for that matter.

Updates at the top. Number is close to 600 now........

[HollowHead]

I'll be glad to pay a few dollars more as long as I know that few dollars is staying in my city, or even country for that matter.

Not a Walmart shopper? HH

[mnglocker]

Not a Walmart shopper? HH

I avoid that place like the plague.

Count me in for $5 lettuce.

[Rabid Rabbit]

My nephew works there installing cable. His version is exactly like the OP said and is now concerned for his job because of the shear number of people arrested. I said just keep the made in Japan tatoo hidden and he will be ok. He was born in Japan during his fathers tour with the marines.

[NRA_guy]

Yep, good work by ICE.

Makes me proud to be from Mississippi.

I predict that there will be a strong reaction by the libs to halt such enforcement actions.

And whichever candidate gets to be President will stop such actions dead in the tracks. Obama and McCain love immigrants' votes.

I also predict that Howard Industries will soon move their manufacturing to Mexico or China, citing the "high cost or doing business in the US" as making their products uncompetitive.

[Santa CruZin]

I took a tour of that facility last year.

Hispanics didn't appear to be the predominant ethnicity, but it is a damn big building.

Wow.

[Natty]

Glad to see ignorance is still doing its thing as well. The United States Border Patrol falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

We would gladly love to do our job and go out each morning, day, and night fully intent on doing it to the best of our abilities. However, with the lack of manpower, resources, and prosecutorial backing to successfully gain operational control of an area, it is nothing more than a pipe dream for us to ever secure our nations borders from illegal aliens or contraband.

It has nothing to do with being afraid to do our job at the risk of going to jail. My colleagues and I have no hesitation in getting confrontational, physical, or utilizing deadly force with those we encounter each shift who may warrant such. But when we arrest someone at the beginning of the shift only to see them coming back several more times during the following days, it is a slap in the face. When we have these foot guides and load drivers being released from custody days later, it shows that our government doesn't care. I could go on, but it won't make much of a difference.

Thanks for proving my point.

"Border Patrol is not stopping the invasion."

[AJ Dual]

Honestly, we don't need "the wall" or to catch every last one of them.

Raids like this and just a credible attempt at enforcing the laws we have now will convince many more to go home, and yet more not to come in the first place.

The argument from both the defeatists AND the pro-illegal side always seems to boil down to some variant of: "There's too many of them, and the border is too long. We'll never get them all..."

Well, let's try for half. Let's make things hard as we can by enforcing the laws on the books and using the DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol resources we have now.

How about that? Instead of throwing up our hands in dispair because we "can't get all of them" once we get 50% to go home, we re-evaluate, and try again...

The number I've heard is that 10% have gone home already due to the downturn in the American economy AND the level of enforcment we're seeing now. And they're taking the "Anchor babies" with them, asking the Mexican consulates for the paperwork to register their kids as Mexican citizens.

[i8547]

Thanks for proving my point.

"Border Patrol is not stopping the invasion."

No one is stopping the "invasion," my friend. It is common for a single Border Patrol station along the southwestern border to make 600 apprehensions daily, yet that is not even a smudge on a piece of paper in terms of the problem. So if you think ICE arresting 600 bodies during a raid that took weeks to plan is worth throwing a party, you need to truly research the problem to realize how small of a victory it is.

[Thunderhawk88]

Run, Jose, run! :rofl:

[Carrys]

All I hear from the lib side is "fences will not work".



Then I have to wonder why they have them around jails.