Added: Nov 19, 2008
From: IWantDemocracyNow
Duration: 9:56
Court Interpreter Breaks Confidentiality Code to Speak Out for Workers Rounded Up in Largest Immigration Raid in U.S. HistoryOn May 12th, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested nearly 400 workers at a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa in the largest immigration raid in US history. Many were sent to prison. We speak with Erik Camayd-Freixas, a professor and Spanish-language court interpreter who was flown into Iowa for the trial. He broke the code of confidentiality among legal interpreters to describe the workers' predicament in what he calls "the saddest procession I have ever witnessed." He says most of the workers were peasants from Guatemala and did not fully understand the criminal charges they were facing. He also says that court-appointed lawyers had little time to meet with the workers, many of whom ended up waiving their rights. [includes rush transcript]
Channel: News
Tags: democracy hispanic human immigration mexico now rights
Rating: 3.50 (6 ratings) Views: 511' favoriteCount='4 Comments: 15
edaddy4 Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Workers.. Treated like felons. WORKERS! How do illiterate peasants willfully commit the white-collar crimes of which they are charged? Postville looks an awful short distance from the Mississippi River. I wonder if they could have used 400 more people to bag sand a month later.
neptuneey Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - There were some serious round up's in the UK aswell recently. Some had been here for decades.Absolutely disgusting.
hillbilliejoe Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - If they want to live in the states they should do it legally , maybe learn some english.but in the long run I dont mind them here.Its the sand people coming here on state aid that buggs me.we are at war with islam , yet we let them flood into country?I say keep the latin folk kill the sand people!
hcwcars1 Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - break the law go to jail .
grunt497 Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Illegal immigration underimines the rule of law. For decades, many immigrants have been entering this country legally. They take U.S. history classes, learn to speak english and eventually assimilate into american society. The people in Postville, entered into the country illegally, had "anchor babies" and cried foul when immigration laws were enforced. I'm tired of paying their medical, educational and food expenses.
cookiesforchrist Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - none of you must be from postville. I am. I find that your comments prove you to be very ignorant on the whole situation. The immigrants in Postville for the most part know english (some dont even know how to write spanish let alone learn english), but most know english. The kids are in school and take english, US History, Government, and every other class required to graduate. They have assimilated into american society very well while still holding their home customs close.
cookiesforchrist Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Maybe if you would actually take the time to get to know these people of postville, you would realize that they are great people and just want to have a job to support their family. After all, don't we all want that?? Yes, there are the bad apples, but every culture has them. In Postville, it just gets blown out of proportion when it happens to be immigrants. I have lived around Postville all my life and have made MANY friends with the immigrants. give them the respect that they deserve.
asuperstar Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Great job INS. I am in California, so I feel qualified to speak about immigration complaints. I will not dispute the fact that the residents might be nice people. They however are knowingly breaking our laws. They were not oblivious to the facts they were using fake identification. They deserve to face the consequences.
keith19633 Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - why didnt you report them? BEING HERE IS A CRIME!ever stop and think, we have american family we need help too, the homeless, single mothers, our brave fighting men, whose familys cant feed there kids, we need to take care of our own!
cookiesforchrist Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - I agree with you to a point. Yes, they have false papers and everything. However, look to the reason why they have to resort to getting false papers. Greencards are VERY expensive and VERY hard to get. The reason they are coming here is because they have no money, so greencards are out of the question right away. Our government needs to make work permits easier to get and I guarantee you the immigrants would get those instead of getting false papers.
asuperstar Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - I am for a valid work program that is enforceable.
vwR32racing Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - When you have to choose between feeding your family or dye in the street without money or food, what would you do? Must people go out rob a bank, sell drugs, etc.
vwR32racing Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Lots of these immigrants choose to walk miles risking their life just to make a living. I can see your point and I respect you opinion, but for one minute imagine your self not having food in your table and three of your children are crying for food. What would you do?. In America? a food stamp would partially solve the problem and a part time job would get you all set. But, what if there is nothing? Would you just dye and let your kids dye along?God bless you asuperstar
asuperstar Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Survival is suvival. I chose (even in over-indulged America) not to have kids so I could have more opportunities. You make an arguement that no (Christian) could argue with. I just wish they would turn their energy into overthrowing the poeple in Mexico who are holding them down.
ubuibiok Says:
Nov 19, 2008 - Thank, INS...Its about time you cough them...Its costing local hospitals here in Miami over 29 Million a year to take care of non US Citizens who don't or cant pay there Bills...Just one of them in a coma with half of his brain dead after a car accident 3 years ago cost Jackson Memorial Hosp 1.4 million last year.