Immigration Raids in Houston: What’s Happening?
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Raids in Houston
In this July 8, 2019, file photo, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer looks on during an operation in Escondido, Calif. Advocacy groups and unions are pressuring Marriott, MGM and others not to house migrants who have been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. But the U.S. government says it sometimes needs bed space, and if hotels don’t help it might have to split up families.
Recent Raids in Houston
Immigration officials used an I-9 audit to arrest 20 people this week in the Houston area. The I-9 audit is a process where employers verify the identity and work eligibility of all individuals they hire. According to the Migration Policy Institute, this act was the first major attempt by Congress to address illegal immigration.
I-9 Audit at Texas Couplings LLC
According to an ICE spokesperson for the Houston region, I-9 inspections promote compliance with the law. The spokesperson said 20 people were arrested during an I-9 audit at Texas Couplings LLC, a warehouse in Spring. They said all 20 people did not have legal status and were taken to the Montgomery County Processing Center.
Family Impacted by the Raid
A family member who spoke anonymously to Fox 26 said their father was arrested after working at Texas Couplings for 14 years. They said the family has lived in the U.S. for 30 years.
Discrepancies in I-9 Forms
Avalyn Langemeier, a Houston-based immigration attorney at Foster LLP, said discrepancies in an I-9 form could come from a difference in numbers or names.
Recent Raids in Colony Ridge
An immigrant advocacy organization said about 15 businesses also received I-9 forms during an increased presence of immigration enforcement at Colony Ridge, a residential community Northeast of Houston. A social media post from ICE said 118 people were arrested in Colony Ridge, but details have only been released for 9 individuals, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Community Response to Raids
Cesar Espinosa, the Executive Director of FIEL Houston, has been fielding calls from people across the Greater Houston region to confirm targeted arrests from ICE and potential raids. He said both instances are a sign of a different strategy for immigration enforcement.
Conclusion
The recent raids in Houston and Colony Ridge are a sign of increased immigration enforcement in the region. As the U.S. government continues to crack down on illegal immigration, it is essential for communities to come together to support those affected and advocate for change.
