Colorado Independent Media Center

On July 16, ICE agents arrested 18 immigrant workers at Colorado
Precast Concrete Inc. in Loveland, Colorado, after executing an
administrative search warrant at the plant. The workers were arrested
on administrative immigration charges. One is from El Salvador; the
others are from Mexico. All were taken to Park County Jail to await
removal or a hearing before a federal immigration judge. The Larimer
County Sheriff's Office assisted with the operation; the Air Branch of
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided air support.

Colorado Precast Concrete fully cooperated with ICE during the
operation and is not expected to face any charges. [ICE News Release
7/16/08] The raid was triggered by a tip. About 100 people work at the
company, which manufactures a variety of concrete and iron products
such as highway barriers, manholes and storm-drain inlets. [Loveland
Connection 7/17/08]

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) issued a press
statement on July 16 denouncing the raid as a "quasi-military
operation" that "separated dozens of families and workers, and
produced images and horrific accounts reminiscent of previous ICE
raids in Greeley, Westminster, Monte Vista, and Pueblo," Colorado.
[CIRC Press Statement 7/16/08]

ICE spokesperson Carl Rusnok said no sole caregivers were arrested in
the raid. But CIRC director Julien Ross pointed out: "Right now
there's most likely a mother and a child waiting for their father to
come home, and so while they're not sole care provider, we're talking
families being separated." [Rocky Mountain News (Denver) 7/16/08]

"Raids are not the solution to the outdated and dysfunctional U.S.
immigration system," said Kim Medina of Fuerza Latina, a social
justice organization in Fort Collins and Loveland which set up a help
line for people affected by the raids. "We need a complete reform of
our immigration laws. The criminalization of immigrants is a
mean-spirited publicity stunt that only causes more pain and suffering
for everyone," Medina said in the statement. [CIRC Press Statement
7/16/08]

Ross said he is encouraged that both presidential candidates agree
that comprehensive immigration reform is needed. He said CIRC plans to
march in Denver as the city hosts the Aug. 25-28 Democratic National
Convention. [AP 7/16/08]