Mass. Governor Deval Patrick raises concerns for children of detained factory workers

[Ian David]

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Gov. Deval Patrick on Wednesday said federal authorities are blocking access to factory workers detained in an immigration raid, and raised concerns that children of the suspected illegal immigrants are not receiving proper care.



Patrick asked U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., to assist the state Department of Social Services in gaining access to the workers detained at the former Fort Devens military base after a raid Tuesday at Michael Bianco Inc.

"The Department of Social Services needs to have staff on site at Fort Devens to provide support for the detainees and coordinate support for their children," the governor wrote in a letter to Delahunt.

"We are particularly concerned about the Guatemalan community and the risk that they may be fearful about disclosing the existence or whereabouts of their children given their history with government agencies," Patrick said.

Immigration officials said 327 of Michael Bianco's roughly 500 employees, mostly women, were detained by immigration officials for possible deportation as illegal aliens.

Authorities say the company hired illegal immigrants to make backpack and safety vests for the military. Most were from Guatemala and El Salvador.

More:
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO45442/


See prior thread:

Mass. Repuke is anti-capitalism & in favor of redistribution of wealth--glad Michael Bianco arrested
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=158&topic_id=12081&mesg_id=12081