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On the morning of March 6, 2007, the New Bedford, MA community was devastated by one of the nation's largest immigration raids. By the end of the day, 361 workers of the Michael Bianco factory were facing deportation, and all but a small number were detained and separated from their families. An estimated 100-200 children were separated from their parents. Please see below for updates on the continuing crisis in New Bedford, and information on how you can help.
New Bedford Video DocumentariesRead Boston Globe March 9th Oped: "U.S immigration system at its worst" Bearing Witness: Children Victims of Raids Children's Hearing in Washington D.C. Watch Press Conference from New Bedford Watch Senator Kennedy Speak Out in New Bedford See more images from New Bedford Your Voice CountsVoice Your Opinion: Write to your local newspaper and call into your local radio station to decry the devestation this raid has caused. Our immigration laws are supposed to unite families not destroy them. Read the press releases and articles and then click here for tips on writing a letter with some local paper links.Write and Call Your Members of Congress: Capital Switchboard (202) 224-3121. Ask them to speak directly with Secretary Chertoff to request that he "Release the Moms." Also demand a moratorium on deportations and new immigration laws now! A sample letter is attached below; hand written letters have the most impact and should be sent to the district offices (goto: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ click on your state and then click on your Senators'/Representative's name to get mailing addresses). Please invite your friends and families in other states to also write in!  |
One Year Later: Where is my family?Of 361 arrested on March 6, 2007: Approximately 160 have been deported At Michael Bianco, where workers made backpacks and other items for the military, about 100 new workers have been hired to replace those lost in the raid. The company is not opperating at full capacity because it has been unable to find enough qualified workers.
New Bedford Family ProfilesOn March 6th, 2007, 500 ICE agents descended on a leather factory and arrested approximately 350 employees of a factory supplying leather packs for US troops. The raid devastated the community in New Bedford, MA, as it tore apart families, separating children from their parents. Read more here. Featured in the Boston Globe, June 12, 2007; A photo slide show on the New Bedford raid timeline Featured in the Washington Post, May 20, 2007: An Audio-Slide show about Tomasa, a baby whose father was taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Featured in the New York Times, May 1, 2007: An Audio-Slide Show on an immigrant family torn apart by the raid in New Bedford. Featured on National Public Radio, May 21, 2007
One Family Reunited Baby Tomasa, whose crying face in the aftermath of the raid was captured by photographer Peter Pereira and made famous across the country, was finally reunited with her father on June 4 after three months of separation. More images. Read the full article. "Please, how much longer will this ordeal go on?"In a letter to the public at large, fourteen women detained in Texas ask, "How much longer will this ordeal go on?"
Click here to see the original handwritten letter (Spanish). Click here for a translation. |
 Please Donate to the Niños Fund: A Relief Fund for New Bedford Immigrant FamiliesThere are between 150 and 200 niños (children) separated from their parents as a result of the March 6, 2007 raids in New Bedford. Families, neighbors and friends are doing their best to care for these children, with limited resources. Contribute to the Niños Fund! A fund to directly support the family and children victims of the New Bedford immigration raids. To contribute please go to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. MIRA is working with the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA) in distributing the relief fund to the affected children and families. Niños Fund: Fondo Para Niños de New BedfordSe estima que entre 150 y 200 niños han sido separados de sus padres en la redada del 6 de marzo en New Bedford. Familiares, vecinos y amigos están haciendo su mejor esfuerzo para cuidar de estos niños, con recursos muy limitados. Contribuya al Fondo Niños! Para contribuir, va a Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.
Legal Update on New Bedford RaidThe legal team led by Greater Boston Legal Services returned from Texas after meeting with approximately 100 detainees held in facilities in El Paso and Los Fresnos, Texas. The attorneys investigated the conditions under which 81 detainees arrested during the March 6 immigration raid in New Bedford agreed to be deported. On April 19, they returned to court for a hearing on the injunction seeking the return of New Bedford detainees from Texas facilities. Read Legal Updates from Greater Boston Legal Services.MA Congressional Delegation Visits New Bedford CommunityNew Bedford, MA - On Sunday, March 11th, Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry, Congressman Frank, Congressman Delahunt, and Mayor Scott Lang talked with the New Bedford community at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in New Bedford. Families and children traumatized by recent events had an opportunity to speak about their experience directly to the Congressional delegation. Please read MIRA's PRESS RELEASE here. Senator Kennedy answers questions about the New Bedford crisis. |