Numerous immigration raids have left children with no one to care for them, have denied families of their sole income earners, or have disrupted pending applications for legal status. Raids threaten community health and economic viability. This type of enforcement activity threatens the public health and economic viability of communities by scaring clients away from essential services and local businesses. Police and INS collaboration jeopardizes community relations with local law enforcement. Joint INS and police operations deter reporting by immigrant victims or witnesses of crimes due to a fear of deportation, making all communities more vulnerable.
Raids increase labor and tenant exploitation.
Immigration raids allow unscrupulous employers and landlords to intimidate immigrants by threatening to call the INS if workers or tenants demand better wages or improved working or living conditions. In these cases, all workers and tenants are affected, regardless of immigration status. Raids are an inhumane and ineffective approach to global migration. Raids increase civil and human rights violations against citizens and immigrants alike and have no significant impact on international migration patterns. Local committees have successfully organized workshops, have assisted in investigations of abuses, and have begun to meet with INS and Border Patrol officials.