State Steps in to Help Families After Immigration Raid

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Nearly 150 families in Hyrum, Utah are missing members as a result of immigration raids earlier this week. State officials have mobilized to make sure those families have their basic needs met, whether they are legal residents or not.

"We have to make sure children are taken care of," says Luz Robles, director of the State Office of Ethnic Affairs.

In the wake of a six-state immigration on Tuesday, Robles says the state organized a task force to make sure the families can access resources like food stamps and help paying utility bills.

In cases where illegal status makes people ineligible for state assistance, Robles says the LDS Church and other nonprofit groups have stepped in. She adds that Hispanic leaders from Cache County have played a critical role in gaining the trust of families impacted by the raid.

"Why would they trust any government entity when they've just been through something so traumatic?" asks Robles. "So we end up relying on the community leaders to call the meetings and put us in touch with people."

Wednesday night, Robles and caseworkers from the Department of Workforce Services met with families in Hyrum to assess their needs. Meanwhile, 145 workers from the Swift Meatpacking plant in Hyrum remain in federal custody on either criminal charges or immigration status issues.

1. Laci said:

They should have been legalized not deported!Now the goverment has to take care of their families.....smart.

2. EDGAR said:

So now the government owes the illegals for hurting their feelings. What a bunch of crap. They used fake documents! They are here ILLEGALY! The real victims are all those americans who's identity is being trashed.The illegals did this to themselves. Fezz up and ship out!

3. Alex said:

Again the state and church is running to help the illegal criminals.What about the Americans who have suffered at the hand of the invaders?Rewarding their crimes once again sends the wrong message.If families are being split up send their family members back too.

4. Carol said:

If I tried to enter a county illegally, I would resign to the fact that I might get caught and deported. I don't blame anyone for trying to make a better living, but let's face it: most are here just for the money and not because they love the United States. They want only the economic benefit. Same with companies like Swift. They think only about the money and not about the impact to communities. If the US was obliged to grant citizenship on the basis of poverty, we'd find millions of takers around the world. Illegal immigrants--God bless them-- have no right to be here and should leave or be deported until US policy allows otherwise.

5. Kaely said:

Carol, how many of us are here because we "love the United States"? Of course they're here for the money! Is that such a crime, to want a better life for their families? We were lucky enough to be born in the U.S., and so do not know what we have. Just because these people are illegal doesn't mean they should be deprived of basic human rights. Besides, of the 145 immigrants who were arrested, a grand total of 31 had criminal charges filed against them. If I understand correctly, that means the other 114 were NOT identity thieves, only undocumented workers. Which means that they were not hurting Americans in any way. Have you seen all the Help Wanted signs in the Salt Lake City area? It can hardly be argued that they were taking jobs away from us legal citizens. Last argument: even supposing these people are criminals, undeserving of our help and compassion, their children have done absolutely nothing wrong. Yet they are now facing Christmas without one or both parents. Hhhm, let's see . . . what would Jesus do in this situation?