Local leaders voice opinions on Sandusky immigration arrests

Local community leaders held a news conference June 7 to react to what occurred at a Sandusky greenhouse June 5 where 114 alleged undocumented workers were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Lorain Ward 6 City Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr., who organized the conference at El Centro, 2800 Pearl Ave. in Lorain, said the incident has devastated families.

“There are families who are left picking up the pieces of what took place in Sandusky,” Arroyo said. “These families’ primary care givers have been taken without any word or understanding as to where their loved ones have been taken.”

Arroyo said the workers were traumatized without due process.

“The greenhouse was raided with an army,” he said. “The officers came in with guns and air support.

“You would think they were arresting some notorious gang bangers, drug dealers or rapists. The reality is they went in after hardworking, honest people who have families to provide for. These people were working hard doing the jobs no one else wanted to do. They deserve better.”

Lorain police Chief Cel Rivera said the incident made no sense.

“From a law enforcement standpoint, it did not have to be done,” Rivera said. “These people were not threatening anyone’s national security. It was nothing more than political theater.

“The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement chose to go after easy pickings. They chose to hurt people who were not causing harm to anybody else.”

Victor Leandry, executive director of El Centro, said the community needs to come together as a result.

“The effects of this raid will be felt for years to come,” Leandry said. “The taxpayers will now have to support these children as they go through the system.

“This helps nobody and solves no problems. We need to rally together and show government officials what we think. We can not allow this sort of thing to continue.”

U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who represents the Ninth District and dean of the Ohio Delegation, released a statement June 6 in regards to the action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We are in direct contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials as well as local advocates in regards to the 114 people that were questioned and in some cases detained, in yesterday’s raid in Sandusky,” Kaptur said. “My office is working to get as much information as possible, and we encourage transparency from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials as this process unfolds.

“In this tense environment created by an Administration intent on dividing us, we want to make sure everything about this action is above board and that individuals are being treated with dignity and respect.”

Kaptur said she knows many Ohioans are upset and alarmed by these actions by the government and shares their concerns.

“We hope to share more information as it becomes available,” she said.

Kaptur is urging people to contact her regional offices if they need assistance at 800-964-4699.