Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Undocumented immigrants released from prison after workplace raid
Six undocumented immigrants who had served six months in federal prison on immigration charges were released yesterday. They were released into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcements officers after posting immigration bonds in Charlotte. The bond amounts ranged from $5,000—$6,000.
The men—Rafael Garcia-Tiscareno, Jose Guadalupe Rodriguez, Lucio Huerta-Ponce, Luis Humberto Huerta-Ponce, Luis Raul Huerta-Ponce, Juan Manuel Martinez, Rodriguez, Jorge Alberto Ruiz-Ponce—were employees of Durham-based J&A Framers and had been arrested during several workplace raids in the Triangle last November.
A seventh man, Victorino Gutierrez-Licona, is scheduled to appear at a bond hearing next month; he received a seven-month sentence. Two of the former employees were not eligible for an immigration bond.
All of the men pled guilty in March to entering the United States illegally.
In January, eight other employees pled guilty to misdemeanor immigration charges. They served 30 days in jail and were later released on immigration bonds.
“What happened to these men and their families is really sad, and yet another example of how the Obama administration is saying one thing about what their immigration policy is and doing the opposite,” said Marty Rosenbluth, executive director of the N.C. Immigrant Rights Project. “We hear over and over ICE officials saying that they are doing work place raids anymore. These guys were caught up in an investigation targeted at their employer. But instead of offering them the option of just returning voluntarily, or even just putting them into deportation proceedings, Obama’s Justice Department charged them with felony re-entry and they ended up in jail for six months. The only crime they committed was trying to feed their families”
Rosenbluth argued for the former workers' immigration bonds. He said that the next step is to get the men hearings in immigration court where they will try to show that they have the right to stay in the United States.
The men's employers, J&A Framing owners Jose Alfredo Lopez Ponce and Juan Antonio Lopez Ponce, were indicted Dec. 15 on charges including smuggling and harboring and recruiting immigrants to work.
On April 6, the men, who are brothers, pled guilty to illegal alien harboring and conspiracy; they are awaiting sentencing by Chief United States District Court Judge Louise Flanagan in New Bern. Each man could receive a maximum of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and at $500,000 in fines.
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
Amy viable long term solution to illegal immigration is going to have to address economic development in Mexico, and the fertility rates of that population- reproducing at a rate *greatly * in excess of the rate of economic growth is unsustainable, and causes more suffering
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Before anyone uses the "To feed my family excuse," they should be required to go to DEA's most wanted and explain to us how eighty-five plus percent of drug dealers, that DEA is looking for, are Hispanicand the Hispanic component of the population is only eight percent.
There is Really 'No-Excuse' for the HATE-Laden / Rabid and Ignorant
'blubberings' of RACISTS - such as those of 'Confused-eddybee-Bajarat'-
these are 'Mutterings of the Truly Ignorant'. FEAR is the Base from which they speak-not knowledge, awareness of the facts, or even truth...
They are - and sadly probably always have been - the 'Abscesses of Society' - and the World. This is the very 'Fringe' of Humanity 'screeching to be heard'...Blaming Anyone - other than themselves - for their 'Incomp-
etence' and failings(BUT) are Scapegoating those whom they think 'they are better than'...but truly - they are NOT! -As EVIDENT by their Ranting.
I have an idea - let's 'round up' TRASH - like this and Exile 'THEM' - Now
'THAT' would Really be Constructive!
I am saddened by the content of the prior comments. If people could visit Mexico, our neighbor, and see the lack of opportunity available, not to mention the violence generated by the drug trade to the US, I feel sure that there would be more generosity of spirit abounding. Marty Rosenbluth is a hard working attorney dedicated to the fight for human rights. It is past time for the US to adapt a fair immigration policy that allows thousands of hard working dedicated adults and their children to come out from a life lived in the shadows and provides an avenue towards citizenship.These individuals add much to the richness of our culture and contribute much to our economy. We all have the opportunity to open our hearts and minds to the stories of our neighbors from Central America and I applaud and thank the INDY for continuing to follow this story!
I don't see how you can say their only crime is trying to feed their families! How about the fact that they are here ILLEGALLY!!!! There are U.S. citizens that can use those jobs!
I have a 40 yo brother who would love to have a carpenter's job instead of changing tires, he's locked out because he's not latino, no sympathy here buddy
"The only crime they committed was trying to feed their families.”
No, Senor Rosenbluth, the crimes they committed were repeatedly breaking into the US to squat, filch, and steal jobs.... among other things. If they need to infest a neighboring country in order to feed their broods maybe they should have smaller broods, eh? Build a wall and deport 'em all, I say.
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