Children stranded after immigration raid

[almaty 19]

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Dozens of young children were stranded at schools and with baby-sitters after their parents were rounded up by federal authorities who raided a leather goods maker suspected of hiring illegal immigrants, authorities said Wednesday.

About two-thirds of the 500 employees of Michael Bianco Inc., mostly women, were detained Tuesday by immigration officials for possible deportation as illegal aliens.

As a result, about 100 children were stuck with baby sitters, caretakers and others, said Corinn Williams, director of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts.

"We're continuing to get stories today about infants that were left behind," she said. "It's been a widespread humanitarian crisis here in New Bedford."

The state Department of Social Services was working Wednesday to make sure the children receive proper care.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Julie Myers said women who were sole caregivers of children would be released, but it takes time to verify people's accounts.

Federal officials coordinated with the state social services agency before the raid, said Marc Raimondi, spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"I'm not saying there won't be children whose parents are detained and removed, but I am saying that every effort is going to be made to ensure no child is going to be put in jeopardy because of the removal," he said.

During the federal raid Tuesday, company owner Francesco Insolia, 50, and three top managers were arrested. Authorities allege Insolia oversaw "sweatshop" conditions so he could meet the demands of $91 million in U.S. military contracts.

U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan accused Insolia of exploiting the illegals to maximize his profits on the military contracts for production of backpacks and safety vests for soldiers. A fifth person was arrested on charges of helping illegals obtain fake identification.

Investigators described dingy conditions and said the illegal workers faced onerous fines, such as a $20 charge for talking while working and spending more than two minutes in the bathroom.

"They were given no options. It's either here, or the risk of no income at all," U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said, comparing the plant to sweatshops from the early 1900s. "Clearly, they were exploited because of the fact they were here illegally."

Insolia's lawyer, Inga Bernstein, said: "The whole story will come out, and at that point it will be a very different scenario."

Michael Bianco Inc., founded in 1985, specialized in manufacturing high-end leather goods for retailers including Coach Inc. and Timberland Co. before landing a $9.4 million military contract in 2003 to make survival vests.

From 2004 and 2006, it won $82 million in military contracts to make products including lightweight backpacks. An Army spokesman did not return a call seeking comment about the status of the contracts.

[Ban Hammer 13,335]

he can kiss his military contracts goodbye. a federal law proscribes him from being in business with the federal government when caught employing illegal immigrants for i think it's 10 years.

[almaty 19]

he can kiss his military contracts goodbye. a federal law proscribes him from being in business with the federal government when caught employing illegal immigrants for i think it's 10 years.

Amen to that brother charles...

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

It's their parents fault for putting them in a situation where they could possibly be Abandoned or stranded.

If their parents Didn't break Federal Immigration laws then the Children woul dnot have been Stranded. It is a Parents duty to be a law abiding , when a parent breaks the law their children suffer due to the parent negligence and disregard for the law and for their childrens well being.

Another reason why these CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO STAY. Their children suffer because of their criminal actions.

[almaty 19]

the children certain did suffer from this...........

[peejay 327]

I believe in family unity and these kids should be deported with their parents whether born here or not. If they are US citizens by birth they can claim their birthright and return as adults.

Birthing a kid in the US is no excuse for illegal aliens to be allowed to stay. That would be an undeserved loophole and a magnet for illegals to birth more anchor babies.

The laws need to be changed to deny US citizenship to illegal alien babies. A lot countries around the world have already done this to discourage illegal immigration.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

I believe in family unity and these kids should be deported with their parents whether born here or not. If they are US citizens by birth they can claim their birthright and return as adults.

Birthing a kid in the US is no excuse for illegal aliens to be allowed to stay. That would be an undeserved loophole and a magnet for illegals to birth more anchor babies.

The laws need to be changed to deny US citizenship to illegal alien babies. A lot countries around the world have already done this to discourage illegal immigration.

[Jasman0717 9]

he can kiss his military contracts goodbye. a federal law proscribes him from being in business with the federal government when caught employing illegal immigrants for i think it's 10 years.

Right on

[Fandango 1,439]

I hate the spin that the press uses when exploiting the children angle from what is actually a no-brainer.

[SoL. 0]

It's just so sad to see how the kids suffer on this situation, as they didn't choose to be in the middle of this mess.

Edited March 8, 2007 by Sol-de-Verano

[GaryC 7]

It's just so sad to see how the kids suffer on this situation, as they didn't choose to be in the middle of this mess.

Children are forced to pay for their parents mistakes all the time. It doesn't make it right but it also doesn't mean we should allow the illegal acts of the parents to be forgiven because of the children. They should all be deported, children included, and the USC children should be given the option of coming back when they are of age or can show a legal guardian in the USA that is willing to take them in.