Protesters Rally For Undocumented Inmates In Dane County
Organizers: Some Participants Didn't Come For Fear Of Deportation
Updated: 9:21 am CDT March 11, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Madison's Union of Immigrant Workers rallied on Monday at the City-County Building demanding justice for undocumented inmates in Dane County.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe union said the rally was meant to honor the inmates and families who have been deported in Dane County, WISC-TV reported.During normal booking, the jail found 286 of those arrested were illegal immigrants and notified federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. To date, 61 were deported, authorities said."We have friends who have been deported, not because they have a deportation notice, but because they simply passed by an ICE official," said rally participant Jorge Carrera.Protesters said they were expecting around 200 people at the rally but only a small group showed up because they were afraid of being deported.The group said it will continue to hold rallies until the deportations and raids end, WISC-TV reported.The sheriff's department isn't required to notify federal agents of illegal immigrant inmates, but it does.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe union said the rally was meant to honor the inmates and families who have been deported in Dane County, WISC-TV reported.During normal booking, the jail found 286 of those arrested were illegal immigrants and notified federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. To date, 61 were deported, authorities said."We have friends who have been deported, not because they have a deportation notice, but because they simply passed by an ICE official," said rally participant Jorge Carrera.Protesters said they were expecting around 200 people at the rally but only a small group showed up because they were afraid of being deported.The group said it will continue to hold rallies until the deportations and raids end, WISC-TV reported.The sheriff's department isn't required to notify federal agents of illegal immigrant inmates, but it does.
Previous Story:
- February 26, 2008: Dane County Officials Discuss Reporting Of Illegal Immigrants
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