Call To End Immigration Raids Heard In SJ

Call To End Immigration Raids Heard In SJ

POSTED: 5:14 pm PDT April 6, 2007
UPDATED: 5:27 pm PDT April 6, 2007

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Recent immigration raids have struck fear into some Bay Area families. Now, religious leaders assembled at San Jose City Hall have called for an end to "Operation Return To Sender."

On Good Friday, NBC11's Monte Francis was among the church leaders gathered downtown in a demonstration of their faith.

Their message: The raids are literally tearing families apart.

One man choked back tears as he talked about his wife and child who were swept up in an immigration raid and deported to Mexico.

Behind him stood Catholic priests, Jewish rabbis and Muslim leaders, a united front of support.

"It's our faith, it's the fact that we belong to each other," said Father Jon Pedigo of the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. "When your child is ripped from your arms or your parents are ripped from your arms... you have to say something... it would be morally repugnant to not speak out."

Dolores Huerta, who founded the United Farmworkers Union with Cesar Chavez, lent her support to the gathering. She contends that the raids amount to non-violent ethnic cleansing.

"That is exactly what's happening... it's ethnic cleansing!" Huerta said. "Because they know that the people they're deporting are the one who would be eligible for legalization if those bills are passed in the Congress."

Jack Davis, president of the Santa Clara County Republican Assembly, said he empathizes with families who are separated but he said the raids should continue.

"(Keep) going into businesses that are illegally hiring these people in the first place," Davis said. "They're paying cash under the table and not deducting taxes."

The federal government said it's primarily looking for illegal immigrants who have committed felonies.

Faith leaders want the raids to stop until Congress can pass immigration reform.

San Jose city leaders announced the creation of a task force aimed at improving communications with Customs Officials.

The San Jose City Council has passed a resolution stating that the San Jose Police Department will not participate in the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids.

Previous Stories:

* March 21, 2007: Hayward PD Raids Homes In Toddler Shooting Case
* March 9, 2007: Residents Protest Recent ICE Raids In Marin