RAID DETAINS 167 IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN ST. JOHNS, TERRORIZES COMMUNITY

Yesterday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided Del Monte fruit processing plant in St. Johns. Take Action NOW: Denounce the raid, stand up for immigrant worker rights!

RAID DETAINS 167 IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN ST. JOHNS, TERRORIZES COMMUNITY

Yesterday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided Del Monte fruit processing plant in St. Johns.

167 workers were detained. Hard working people's futures are uncertain and families will be torn apart.

Last week a deeply flawed immigration bill went down in the Senate, under fire from both the right and immigrant rights left. ICE continues to use raids as a pressure tactic to get Congress to approve guest worker programs and to shore up Bush’s reputation on the far right.

The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC), including PCASC and el Comité Latino, were on the scene to observe the raid and organized a press conference yesterday afternoon. Read CAUSA's statement below.

**Take Action NOW: Denounce the raid, stand up for immigrant worker rights!**

//Rally at the Tacoma Immigrant Detention Center// We will stand in solidarity with detainees where they are being held in Tacoma Tacoma Detention Center (1623 East J Street, Suite 2--Tacoma, Washington) Saturday June 16th, 1-4pm

Carpools from Portland leave @ 10am - Liberty Hall (311 N. Ivy St. Portland, OR) - Ascension Catholic Church (7507 SE Yamhill St Portland, OR)

We need volunteers to bring coffee and food to the carpool spots. Please email info@pcasc.net if you can help out.

//OJO! Take a Migra Watch Shift//

We need your help watching ICE in case they execute more raids in the Portland area. If you can help out, please email info@pcasc.net. We need help now and in the future. Please push yourself to take a shift that may be less likely to be covered.

//Write A Letter to the Editor//

Denounce the raid. Stand up for immigrant rights. Read a sample letter here: http://pcasc.net/write-no-more-raids

Send letters to the Oregonian and other local newspapers. Send Oregonian letters to letters@news.oregonian.com

**CAUSA's Statement**

June 12, 2007

Dear CAUSA Supporter:

This morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided the Fresh Del Monte Produce fruit and vegetable processing plant in Portland following a criminal investigation. Over 165 workers were caught up in the raid. About 30 have been released on humanitarian grounds.

While we are still becoming aware of the scope and details of the raid, its devastating, terrorizing effects on hundreds of children and families is already tragically known. Worried family members waited outside the plant, hoping for news of their loved ones, and Portland public schools officials worried about what to do with students who had no parent to go home to.

CAUSA was present with members of the Portland immigrant rights coalition, faith, and labor allies documenting the raid as it happened this morning. Groups quickly pulled together a press conference this afternoon to denounce the raids and call swift passage of just, comprehensive immigration reform.

We will continue to update supporters with more information and how you can help as it is available.

For Help or More Information:

ICE "Family and Friends" hotline to get information on detained individuals: 1-866-341-3858

Legal help hotline: 503-221-1689

CAUSA Statement on the raid: www.causaoregon.org

Statement from Portland Mayor Tom Potter: http://images.bimedia.net/documents/070612_potter_statement_raids.pdf

Statement from Rep. Tina Kotek, who represents the district where the raid took place: http://www.causaoregon.org/pdfs/ Statement%20from%20Rep.%20Kotek%20on%20Del%20Monte%20Raid.pdf

Oregonian coverage of press conference denouncing the raid: http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/06/ immigrant_supporters_decry_rai.html

U.S. Department of Justice Statement with details of investigation:

http://images.bimedia.net/documents/070612_immigration_raid.pdf