ICE Raids Conducted Around Austin

In a largely under-reported undertaking, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE – what a freakin’ scary acronym) has been rounding up undocumented workers around town. While a large raid was reported in Hutto last week, the operations in Austin have yet to draw any mainstream attention.

In a departure from their normal habit of hitting large construction or industrial sites, ICE seems to be targeting smaller operations such as local dry cleaners, Home Depot, HEB, Flea market, Fiesta and Wal-Mart. Agents around these stores are randomly stopping people and requesting documents of identification. The Consulado General de Mexico has confirmed that ICE is sweeping the city and has been picking up people since last week.

Have you heard similar stories? Why is this getting such little publicity? Have they found WMDs at H.E.B.? We are skeptical and disgusted and the timing of all of this and the politicizing of it. If they're out working and being productive de facto citizens, shouldn't they be left alone, at least until our government figures out how they intend to manage the situation on a bigger level?

Concerned Austinites, please check out the excellent resouces at Political Asylum Project of Austin.

*Image (c) Matt Wright*