In this month’s immigration news, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for an end to worksite enforcement raids. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 59 illegal immigrants in a five-day sweep in Colorado.

• U.S. Catholic Bishops Statement: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the Dept. of Homeland Security to “re-examine the use of worksite enforcement raids as an immigration enforcement tool,” saying the humanitarian costs of the raids are “immeasurable and unacceptable.” The bishops asked Homeland Security to take immediate steps to mitigate those humanitarian costs or abandon the ICE raids.
• 59 Arrested in Colorado: ICE raids captured 30 illegal immigrants in 14 Colorado cities who had been ordered to leave the country or who did not appear for their immigration hearings. An additional 29 were arrested on other immigration violations.

"For over a year now, DHS has targeted employers who hire unauthorized workers by using force to enter worksites and arrest immigrant workers...The sweeping nature of these raids--which often involve hundreds of law enforcement personnel with weapons--strike fear in immigrant communities and make it difficult for those arrested to secure basic due process protections, including legal counsel...Raids strike immigrant communities unexpectedly, leaving the affected immigrant families to cope in their aftermath. Husbands are separated from their wives, and children are separated from their parents...Many families never reunite."

The U.S. bishops statement calls on the two presidential candidates to make immigration reform a focus of their campaigns.

To avoid employer sanctions, fines and penalties, enroll your hiring managers in a Form I-9 compliance seminar. Call Allott Immigration Law Firm at 303-797-8055, or click here for online sign up.