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May 2008
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by Jennifer Iveson Wednesday through Friday at 6 p.m. on KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, I report a three-part series called "The Deported". It is an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the deportation process from start to finish, following the federal raid on the Fresh Del Monte Plant back in June. I came to Portland from the border state of Arizona, and have spent a lot of time doing stories about illegal immigration. I am also fluent in Spanish, an advantage which enabled me to directly interview four of the people deported from the Fresh Del Monte Plant in Portland. My colleague Pat Dooris was kind enough to throw my name in the mix with federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as soon as he learned of my Spanish skills, as we worked to follow up on what happened after the federal raid on the Fresh Del Monte Plant. This report is a chance to tell a story we don't get to see every day. The ICE agents we worked with were incredible and gave us access no news media has ever had before. We stood side by side in pods with the inmates at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington. We were allowed to shoot video of every move that was made inside the federal facility. They did not discourage inmates from talking to us. In fact they allowed me to walk into a holding cell where 36 Del Monte workers were waiting and ask if anyone was interested in being interviewed. Four workers agreed to speak with us. Our interviews were not supervised. I was allowed to take the willing participants away from the rest of the crowd and sit down with them one-on-one. I sat in amazement as I learned about their lives. They told me they felt comfortable telling me their personal stories because I was willing to listen and talk in their native language. The women were emotional and the men were angry about what had happened to them at Del Monte. One of the women we talked to cried from the minute I asked her the first question, until we wrapped up the interview. You could feel her desperation as she talked about her work week in Mexico for just $5 a day after 12 hours of work. And, you could quickly understand how she, like others in the group, risked what they did, coming to a country where they could make 60 times that in a week's pay at the Fresh Del Monte Plant in Portland. Watch part one of The Deported here. Watch part two of The Deported here. Those I talked to say they would rather stay in their native countries with family members and friends who would never be able to cross. But, circumstances make them feel desperate enough that they are willing to risk everything to cross. There are jobs they get hired to do without having proper documentation. Jobs they are very willing to do that many Americans reportedly are not. I realize now more than ever, after watching the jobs of the U.S. Marshals and the ICE employees and the guards, and after sitting down and listening to those in handcuffs and leg shackles awaiting deportation...there is no one side to this story. So many people are affected by this issue. We have many privileges in America and we owe that to our ancestors who came here from other countries. Most went through the process legally, but it's clear we can't ignore the border issues of this era. I've had the opportunity to ask people who are here legally from countries like Mexico how they got here and how long the process took. The minimum has been 7 years, and many tell me their relatives who are older have died waiting to go through the same process because paperwork took so long. We were on the tarmac at Boeing Field as the inmates got off the buses and boarded a 737 jet bound for Mexico. The entire flight was done by officers of the U.S. Marshals Office who had to remain pretty tight-lipped about their trip plans for safety reasons. It was fascinating to watch as they searched these workers up and down before they were allowed to board the plane. Underneath, they loaded small plastic bags...each one belonging to an illegal immigrant. Inside were the only belongings they had on them at the time of their arrest. It was an intense process to watch. As I watched officers from the U.S. Marshal's Office frisk these illegal workers from top to bottom they were stoic. You couldn't see any emotion on their face about how they feel on the topic of illegal immigration. Only that it is their job to enforce the law, and it was clear, they take their jobs very seriously. There didn't seem to be any time in their schedules to stray from that task. None of them appeared to speak Spanish, only common words or commands, and they didn't have much interaction with the inmates other than instructing them where to go next. But, there was quite a camaraderie among the group of federal employees since they make several flights like this together every week. "The Deported" is a chance to see the efforts of federal workers whose job it is to uphold U.S. law, and it is also a chance to hear from a group whose voice often goes unheard. No matter what your opinion is about immigration, I hope these reports make you think and talk with your friends, families and your legislators. What are your feelings on this issue?? Please feel free to send us your comments under the comment link here on the KGW blog site. It is that kind of discussion I hope this series will invoke. 19 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Jennifer,
What I found missing from your story above and the news coverage is no mention of what INS is doing to Del Monte for the illegal hiring. They are supposed to be fined, because if it wasn't for them hiring the illegals, they wouldn't be here. Your story seems slanted to the conservative right, it's the people coming up from Mexico that's the problem, not the companies hiring them. In my opiniion, that is just backwards.
Dick
My family and my husband's family all came here legally, had a sponsor, learned English and became citizens. I think the illegals should be sent back to their home country and make room for the immigrants that are waiting to for room to enter legally.
Coming here illegally does not make a good law abiding citizen!
Re your statement: "We have many privileges in America and we owe that to our ancestors who came here from other countries. Most went through the process legally..." That is an incorrect statement that most of you think is true because that is what they teach in USA schools and Hollywood movies. There was nothing legal about taking over our land, never paying the dept to us. I never hear about what happened to the money owed us that the American Indians are fighting for. The Indian People from what is now Mexico were also here before European aliens came. Will someone please get that story out!?
Thank you,
Linda
I agree That Each and every Illegal Alien has a heart wrenching story to tell. I believe that they are just pawns in the game of two political parties Who could care less about them.
My solution is simple. ICE raids and Deportations are Ramped up. The Employers are Fined $1,000.00 Per Illegal plus all expenses incurred in the Deportation Process, including Housing and Medical.
The second time the employer Gets caught $10,000.00 plus expenses. I believe that you would have no Illegals up here and the onus would be put on the purveyors of the Human Suffering. Also the Border folks could spend their time looking for criminals and terrorists.
I understand how difficult it is to come here legally. The mountains of paper work and the long wait. It took over a year and a half to get my wife here from India. We could have bought papers on the black market to get her here but we didn't we did it legally. Places like Del Monte are just part of the problem. If I wanted to live in Mexico I couldn't legally and I would have to learn the language. there should be no difference here.
Michael
I wonder what United states Citizens Would do if they where put in the living and financial situations that these immigrant workers have been thru? I would say probably seek another country to run to also!!!!! Think back to who the first people in this country where!!!
They where not White European folks!!!!
The questions most Oregonians wanted asked were: 1. Were you in America legally? Whose Social Security number did you use to get your job? Did you present false identification to the employer where you initially applied for your job? Try asking some questions that are relevant to your viewers and not some PC feel-good story. Weak reporting is another reason the network news is dying and talk radio and the blogs are alive and well.
Nope Michael They weren't White European Folks They were Folks From Asia Who became "Native" After They immigrated from Asia. Then The White European Spaniards Came and Shortly on their heels The British,Germans Dutch and French.So As with all other nations and cultures The Land Grabs came through Strength of The Grabber.Be they Egyptian,Greek Roman, Mespotamian,or??? The Sioux Indians Did it But we out manned and out Gunned them in the end. So I guess That a little History won't harm the world.
doubt you people feel bad about sending them back and leaving thier familes. I am so ashamed of the U.S. for disregarding these people as they do. If bussinesses didn't hire them then i guess they wouldn't come here but they want cheap labor and then when they get caught they can't help them. What a load of crap.
Learn the American history...we didn't come from Asia, we came from what is now called Mexico and went north. The Asia theory is European. American Indians, from either side of the border did not treat your illegal ancestors as you people treat people of any race. You've brought your wars and racist ways with you and now we are all having to deal with it. We have been in every war you guys have brought upon us and still you complain. (They're not sioux)
Whats missing is, did anyone contact the people who owned these SSI# legally!!! Do a story about how anyone illegally using someones identity messes up their lives. The hours and stress of trying to clear it up with the IRS. Tell that side of storie.
Oregon PBS did a wonderful story on how during the war we had a treaty and brought them in to work, maybe we need to go back to that kind of system. We also should pay them (workers back then)the money we saved for them but lost. PBS did a good story and I think nationally that story needs to be retold.
I don't care who steals ID, its a crime and the poor legal person that owns that ID is left with a real headache and NO restitution!
Maybe if the Gov. and Mayor ever get their SSI # stolen, maybe they would have a different view point...Come here legal and work.
I am sick of the "Poor Illegals" slant on these news stories. Why can't your station look at reality? These people are here illegally, using up our resourses, taking jobs, sending U.S. dollars back to Mexico and having no respect for our country or our laws. If they can make more money here, fine, but let them do it legally. I'm really tired of the "Sad Stories."
Who cares! They need to demand change in their country, not come here and drain our system. They refuse to lern our language and now we have to choose what language we wish to hear for everything. That is wrong! There are legal methods to get here, use them!
Too many bleeding hearts! What part about being IllEGAl don't you understand? Who are the rules for?
Yes, everyone has sad story. The girl that is working to support her brothers and sisters. Well in my book, if you can't afford to support your children...try birth control instead of keep popping them out one after another.
I think AZ has best idea so far. If your parents are illegal ...no benefits. I am tired of women just crossing the border to pop out babies and collecting.
And for the history buff. That was then and history. It is different now and we are not living in the past but trying to move forward to future. Yes, you can learn from the past but you got to also know when to let it go. We weren't there and by darn I should not have to pay for their mistakes. The best thing I can do is move on and build a better future.
My family come from immigrants and proud to be Americans. They did it legally and accepted the laws and way of life. They did not try to change this country into their country like the Mexicans are trying to turn this into Little Mexico. If they want Mexico way of life so bad ....then go back. Do what countess immigrants have done. Accept American way of life but still be proud of your hertiage. Share and blend in by don't change. That is why so many countries point and laugh at us now. Spend billions so their spanish writing..operators...etc when they should be learning english. No other country wastes their money like this.
Do you people realize how much all the "let's help these poor people out" idiots are taking away from legal Americans who could use a little help?
IE: My daughter is pregnant. We had her baby shower recently and a friend of hers, who works for the doctor she is seeing, brought her a diaper bags crammed full of samples and free things that companies give to them to give to their clients. When she was opening these things up her friend was asked why she hadn't already received these things at the doctor's office, Since she is due in 5 weeks. She said because they don't give these things to their clients like they are expected, they give them to an organization who provides help to ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS who need help. HELLO!!!! my daughter and alot of other legal American mothers should not be denied the chance to have these little extras when they are expecting. I am soooo sick of hearing "the poor illegal immigrants" why don't you people wake up and realize there are just as many or more Americans that could use a hand up. My neighbor has 5 children to support. Two are from her husbands past marriage, three are theirs, twins born just two months ago. Where are all these DO GOODERS who slam the phone in her ear when she can't make ends meet and call for help? They are out helping criminals to live a better life.
Why don't you report more on the fact that there were over 200 people who showed up the next morning for those jobs at that became available because the criminals where hauled away. I can't believe how many Oregonians are being so naive. If we didn't want the jobs, why would we run to the Del Monte plant to take on these jobs that have been denied us because of criminal and the American Criminals who have provided false identification to them so they could have a job they don't deserve!
Michael, you are just another bleeding heart who doesn't understand how these CRIMINALS are affecting the lives of those of us here legally. Wait until you are denied something you want or need because Pedro the criminal gets it instead. Come out in the real world and live with the rest of us. These are law breaking criminals, it has nothing to do with legal immigration, it is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!!
It's not history. I was correcting another who forgot it is the EuroAmericans that are the aliens here, today. You can tell they are not of this land because where ever they have moved in, they have distroyed it - to create more home and jobs. It is the EuroAmericans that have over-populated the world and have continued to change it to suit them. Disrespecting all others. All people have a right to work. Native Americans (on both sides of the border) just want to support themselves and their families, unlike EuroAmericans who want to control and conquer. That is the problem here, we don't think like you and you just don't get that.
And then you have the wonderful Mayor of Portland {cough cough} who says "to go after local workers who are here to support their families while filling the demands of local businesses for their labor is bad policy" um its ILLEGAL WORKERS. I have no respect for any elected official who will not follow federal and state laws. This clown needs to go.