Chicken processing plant raidedSuspected illegal immigrants detained Associated Press
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
GREENVILLE — Federal agents swept through a chicken processing plant Tuesday, detaining more than 300 suspected illegal immigrants and sending panicked workers running and screaming through the hallways. Worried relatives collected outside, fearful their loved ones would be deported. 
Mary Ann Chastain/AP Federal agents raided The House of Raeford's Columbia Farms chicken plant Tuesday in Greenville. Some 300 suspected illegal immigrants were detained at the plant. Police and agents during a shift change ordered all workers at the House of Raeford's Columbia Farms to show identification, according to officials and witnesses. The business had been under scrutiny for months, and the raid comes on the heels of even larger roundups across the country. Maria Juan, 22, was one of about 50 relatives and friends who huddled at the edge of the plant after the raid, some weeping and others talking frantically on cell phones. She was seeking information about her 68-year-old grandmother, a legal immigrant from Guatemala who went to work without identification papers but was later released. "Families are going to be broken apart," Juan said. "There will be kids and babies left behind. Why are they doing this? Why? They didn't do anything. They only wanted to work." Workers began running down hallways crying and screaming, said Herbert Rooker, 54, a third-shift janitor. He wore a blue band on his wrist, indicating agents had determined he was in the country legally. Rooker had to duck into a bathroom to avoid what he called a stampede of people. Officials kept the workers inside, spending most of the morning trying to figure out how many are in the country illegally, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said. The number could be substantial. A recent review found that immigration paperwork for more than 775 of 825 workers contained false information, McDonald said. Immigration agents scoured the plant for paperwork and other information for the investigation. House of Raeford processes chickens and turkeys in eight plants in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana and Michigan. A sales manager at the Greenville plant referred questions to the company's Rose Hill, N.C., headquarters, where a woman answering the phone said there was no immediate comment. Federal prosecutors and immigration agents have been investigating the plant's hiring practices for several months. Eleven supervisors and the plant's human resources director have been charged, most accused of falsifying documents. Seven have pleaded guilty, three are awaiting trial and two have fled, McDonald said. The Charlotte Observer first reported in February that plant workers were in the country illegally and company managers knew it. One worker backed up that account Tuesday. "Everyone knew most of the workers were illegal. It was no secret. We just came in and did our work and you kept to yourself," said Dorothy Anthony, who works with her sister Alice on the deboning line. |
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Comments
This article has 39 comment(s)
Posted by eyecantspel on October 8, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Give the stock market another week, and we may be trying to sneak into Mexico for their high standard of living.
Take this into consideration when commenting on this article.
Posted by lemonhead on October 8, 2008 at 4:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they all knew this day was comming,but they still stayed and worked and people let them,they wanna come here do it the LEGAL way,to many are out there and making itharder for those that need a job and cant find one.hopefully they all get sent back and the company gets fined big time,and shows otherssss to do it right and not get into trouble
Posted by bearsfan88 on October 8, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Families are going to be broken apart," Juan said. "There will be kids and babies left behind. Why are they doing this? Why? They didn't do anything. They only wanted to work."
They broke the LAW. This type of law enforcment should be going on more. Officers would not need to look hard to find more.
Posted by jammer on October 8, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kick them all out, including their anchor baby moma's... with their babies
illegal is illegal, why is there confusion on this??
Posted by moonpie on October 8, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OBAMA sure did call ICE units terrorist just like he said our troops were "killing children and raiding villages". Wonder why McCain didn't use that sound bite last night.
Oh well good riddance I doubt it. How about follow them P&C to see what happens now after the raid. That would be good reporting.
Posted by tellthetruth on October 8, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not raid the College of Charleston and MUSC projects in downtown Charleston. These jobs are packed with latino workers hired by contractors for the state. Seems what's good for the goose is not good for the gander here. It's okay if its' a goverment job I guess. What a news story this would make. "Failing goverment hires illegal aliens to save a buck. Who's got the nerve to tackle this story. Just my opinion.
Posted by mcdian on October 8, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Reporters are still trying to get simpathy for the criminals. Yes this is the right word. People who commit crimes like breaking the law. We need to start getting on the reporters for the way they are reporting about these criminals. Teach our children that the law should be observed.
Posted by Larz13 on October 8, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who will process the chickens?
Isn't the unemployment rate 7% or something like that? I think there are able bodied people available to work at a decent wage.
Posted by NativeSon on October 8, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Moonpie and all ~
McCain did not bring up the issue because he partnered with Ted (socialist) Kennedy to attempt a guaranteed amnesty for all illegals and has stated emphatically that he would have amnesty within 100 days of entering office as does Obama.
So, there are no Americans on the ballot in November who are not treasonist traitors.
Remember, voters - You put these creeps on the ballot in the primary and rejected real Americans in the process!
Posted by riddiksgirl on October 8, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"There will be kids and babies left behind. Why are they doing this? Why? They didn't do anything. They only wanted to work."
Am I being Punk'd? Are you kidding me?
Posted by singleroni on October 8, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i agree the kids and babies should not be left behind!! deport them too. they are also illegal.
Posted by ln1959 on October 8, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THREE HUNDRED WORKERS --- ILLEGAL... Thats how many of our U.S. citizens are out of work cause they wont a average pay. Now you see why people are unemployed. This bull about people wont work, is all a cover up so employers can pay under the table and pay below minimum salary.
All they wont to do is work, well there are many American just wont to work and take care of there family also. Now this company is going to have to employ Americans and pay the salary that they deserve.
Posted by charlene68 on October 8, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story makes me think of the one that I posted on a while back.. There were a bunch of hispanics at the car wash on college park road that worked there, and guess what???? they were washing a police car!!!! imagine that!!! and the police was out there watching them do it waiting on his car!!! why were the police using them to do work when they are illegal and there was nothing done about it !!! I guess when it is convenient for the county , then they do a bust, but when the ILLEGALS are working for them it is different.... HMMM makes you wonder.... they need to bust alot of places not only one, if they are going to do it they need to do it right and fair, not just targeting some buisnesses... need to do construction, farming, agticulture,painting,car wash, janitor services, motel cleaning services,landscaping, etc... I bet the housing problem would be solved becuase there would be no hispanics to build them hahahha... No need to worry about tobacco for the cigarettes , That would be one great cancer cure!!! no hispanics to pick tobacco...and the motels woud be raising their rates to people that stayed there so they could afford to pay the Americans to do the bed making and cleanng rooms that the Hispanics were doing for 6.00 an hour. That is going to be great for the hotel and motel industry, making more money and paying more out, kinda evens out a little bit don't it? oh yeah !! the buisnesses will also be able to save alot of money becuase there will be no hispanics doing landscape work to plant them around the windows and the building making it look pretty for customers. Oh yeah also, Cactus car wash will have to hire more people to wash our cars and wax them and the other car wash also that I mentioned above, cause I don't have time to do it so I hope they will have hired more American people to wash my car. You know it is really going to be sad when the Doctors and Lawyers have to pay more money for a cleaning service to come in and clean their houses every week cuase their hispanics got deported and then they are going to start charging clients and patients more money to cover those cost. Poor Drs and Lawyers.... feel real sorry for them !!! hahahaha.. I think the governemnte needs to spend more time on real crime, the crime that hurts people like robbery murder etc... Im not saying this is a crime, but I want my tax dollars spent on fighting real crime, not worrying about who is working in a chicken factory... Im worried about the murderers and robbers and child molestes that live in our neighborhoods not hispanics that are working in factories or any other jobs right now.... when the other crimes are buckled down on then go back to immigration... Again, just my opinion... Sorry for the typos !!
Posted by charlene68 on October 8, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I meant to say im not saying this is'nt a crime but they need to worry about the other type of crime first in my opinion.
Posted by charlene68 on October 8, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah people fellow americans that are not empoyed... I hope you will be in line at chicken processing center, there will be 300 jobs waiting... go get some new workboots so your feet wont hurt!! good luck with your 6 and 7 dollar an hour jobs and hope you have agreat first day !!! Bye now
Posted by tmh32 on October 8, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Send them packing. even the kids born here if both parents are Illegal. Now we have 300 jobs waiting for AMERICAN workers to fill. There are a lot of people that could use those jobs. That would at least be a boost to the local economy and get at least some few off of the welfare and unemployment system.
Posted by SingleSexynSassy on October 8, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Moonpie the reason McCain did not use that sound bite is because you can't take bits and pieces of someone quote and try to use it against them.
Posted by grannyofseven_2 on October 8, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If these illegal’s are bring hired for less then min. are they being paid under the table sort of speak? If so how do these companies get by with it when tax time comes or do they issue 199s? Oh they can’t can them no legal papers to do so HMMMM as far as processing your damned chicken that did it before them cam? Or did you not eat chicken before the illegal’s came please get real
Posted by justmythoughts on October 8, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the majority posting here but thought I would add this just in case someone still doesn't get it:
If someone broke into your home and started cleaning your bathroom and mopping your floors would you let them stay or call the cops and have them removed?
It's pretty much the same thing. They broke in to this country. It doesn't matter what they're doing, good or bad. That's not the issue.
Just my thoughts....
Posted by charlene68 on October 8, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
justmythoughts.... I would let them so i would not have to depends on how good a job they done hahahahahah!!! get real
Posted by PalmettoDP on October 8, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe these companies just send off fake Social Security numbers to the various state and federal tax agencies. Since nobody ever did anything about it until fairly recently, they're used to getting away with it.
I don't like how the AP reporter tries to turn this into a sob story - like we're supposed to feel sorry for the illegals. I'm sure some of them are good people, but they depress wages for unskilled American workers. On top of that, they don't even have to learn English - every government office caters to them by offering Spanish-language services and forms.
Posted by forget on October 8, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Charlene - the farms will continue to be able to hire hispanics. Agriculture visas are what they get, and they can work pretty much every type of farming. Those jobs aren't $6.00 per hr at the chicken plant. Alot of them are $10-$12 per hr easily. They don't pay the hispanics less than minimum wage. That is a myth. I am familiar with someone recently that needed some day labor for 2 days and went down to A.P Rd to hire two. They wouldn't do anything for less that $10 per hr. Do you remember a few months ago they raided a sausage plant and the next day the line for those jobs was wrapped around the building?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 8, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Families are going to be broken apart," Juan said. "There will be kids and babies left behind. Why are they doing this? Why? They didn't do anything. They only wanted to work."
Wow. So what? You could use this same quote in a story about a crack dealer. Afterall,he was only trying to work and provide for his family. Now he's in jail and the family is torn apart. Because they broke the LAW! Why don't people get this? I have posted this before. I have family who lives in Raeford,NC.(right by the chicken plant there) When my neice joind the Navy,they found she had been exposed to TB. She had just graduated from a highschool with a HUGE population of illegals. Not one person can convince me that thats a big coincidence. Not to mention my families annoyance that at graduation they had an awards ceremony(for hispanics only) entirely in spanish that they had to sit through.
Posted by Weeeee on October 8, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG whatever will KFC/Church's/Popeye's do?!?
Posted by charlene68 on October 8, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget...yes I do... and maybe you are right... I just feel like some americans comment on them taking the jobs, when in all reality, the one commenting on it would,nt do the job if you paid them 12.00 an hour, that is what makes me angry about the whole darn thing....and even at 12:00 an hour most americans do not want to work over time whene there is alot of work becuase of the taxes and things like that.. I just think that before someone comments on it .. put there self in teir place and Hispanics can work circles around some americans...and we all know this is true... Im not saying what they are doing is right... just think more time and money should be spent on other crime and not so much this until other things are under control...
Posted by crankyyankee on October 8, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I assume your candidate has no comment on this issue!
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 8, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will be the first to say nearly everyone in DC has failed us.All of these politicians are too chicken to take a stand or any clear position. They're too concerned about being PC.
Posted by commonsence on October 8, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make that 312 jobs now open...the managers will be given alternative accommodations as well. Vaya con dios.
Posted by GreenvilleGirl on October 8, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There have been illegals working there since Columbia Farms bought the plant from the local owner about 20 years ago!
You should have seen all the chaos yesterday. I was in the area at the time, and it was CRAWLING with officers from ICE, SLED, City, County, and other Federals....We only wish we could get such protection when we need it!
When I was a mortgage loan officer (No, I didn't make predatory loans - I worked for a VERY conservative bank), a man came to my office to apply for a loan; he worked at the chicken plant. He brought his friend to translate.
When he handed me his W-2's, they all had the same Social Security # on them, but FOUR different names. I asked him why there were different names. I got the "blank stare" and the "I don't understand" look. The two men then spoke to each other, in Spanish.
They didn't know I could understand enough Spanish to know what they were saying..........the W-2s had been given to them by a manager at the plant.
I made copies of everything, then called INS (now ICE) and the Soc. Sec. Administration. They had NO interest in investigating the case. Heck, I spent hours getting my documentation together for them research the numbers, and investigating other factors necessary for the case. HOW COULD THEY HAVE NO INTEREST?!?.
Now, over 10 years later, they decide they're interested?!? Too little, too late, IMO.
I'll bet they don't ship these people back. They'll let them (and their families) stay in exchange for information about the managers at the plant, other plants, neighbors, etc.
ICE wants the leaders, not the followers. It's the followers who are depleting our resources!
Posted by ckc on October 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't need no stinken mexican to butcher my chickens, i can do it myself and have for years.What i do need is someone to clean out my ditches,but i won't even let a mexican do that.I worked with a bunch of them at a local manufacturing plant for years and have no use for any of them.If they couldn't steal it they destroyed it.
Posted by kontact on October 8, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow!! After reading these post it ceases to amaze me the extent that people will go to make their point without any thought as to what they are actually saying. I agree that we shouldnt allow people here illegally but we have to enforcee this nationally and in conjunction with ALL the appropiate authorities. Ho can we have this many illegals in this country and it be OK. I just dont get it. Then it hit me that its called selective enforcement. DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS need to be held accountable for this. Im a black dude thats a democrat and I dont understand this one. WOW
Posted by ln1959 on October 8, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me state this again.
There was a hog processing plant in SC that got raided a few months back and was going under. When they up the salary from 7.50 hr to $10 dollars hour they had more American workers then the company knew what to do with them.
So don't give me that bull about Mexicans will do what Americans workers wont do. They just work for cheaper salary.
Posted by grannyofseven_2 on October 8, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, I am with Early. I thnk I will go buy a few live chickens again and raise my own. Wouldnt mind having a couple of goats too
Posted by kontact on October 8, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know a whole lot of people that could use those jobs that they say Americans wouldnt do. A whole lot. I need a second job anyway the way things are going
Posted by guidedbystewart on October 8, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that the owners of this chicken processing plant pays a hefty fine because shows total disregard for the law. Maybe, other businesses that hire illegals will read this and see what may be in store for them.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on October 8, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I should have clarified that it wasn't just that it was a spanish speaking awards ceremony that bothered them. They wouldve been annoyed no matter what the other language. A good friend of my neices is German. There was no German spoken there. If we accomodate one then all should be accomodated. Which is crazy.
Posted by Mon_Kie on October 8, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This will not solve any immigration problems.
Please stand by for SOMALIAN (BLACK MUSLIM) replacements.
They will be wishing for the Mexicans to come back!
By the way, the Somalis will have GREEN CARDS, so they won't be able to get rid of them.
Cut and paste any of the addresses below to see the future:
http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpres...
http://www.t-g.com/story/1299489.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008...
http://www.nola38.com/pages/nola38home_l...
Posted by ForPnC on October 8, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder when they'll finally raid Charleston.
Hope it's soon!
Posted by atxscountrygal on October 8, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmm, I was writing a comment and the page suddenly expired on me. Maybe they didn't like what I had to say.
Anyway, check out the same AP article at azcentral.com and see the difference.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2...