INS Arrests 27 in Raid at Hiring Center : Says It Responded to Santa Ana Citizens Who Want Illegal Aliens Out

Saying Santa Ana residents want illegal aliens out of their city, federal immigration agents early Thursday morning arrested 27 men near a makeshift hiring center at Fifth and Euclid streets.

Citing a high number of complaints from residents in the area, Immigration and Naturalization Service spokesman John R. Belluardo said it was “unfortunate” that the city’s Police Deparment does not cooperate in such raids.

“The chief of police of Santa Ana has gone on record that his department is not interested in apprehending illegal aliens unless they have committed criminal activity. But it’s obvious that the citizens of Santa Ana want illegal aliens removed from the community,” Belluardo said.

Last week, more than 80 residents met with Councilwoman Pat McGuigan to complain about the men, who gather daily at the intersection in numbers up to 100, waiting for someone to pass by and offer them jobs. The residents said the men had been littering, blocking traffic and urinating in public. McGuigan described the meeting as volatile.

57 Citations Issued

In answer to an increasing number of complaints, police began a crackdown last Thursday, issuing at least 57 citations, mostly for impeding traffic on the streets and sidewalks. In addition, 28 vehicle code citations were issued. But police made it clear that they would neither contact the INS nor assist should the federal agency move in for a raid.

“Local law enforcement officers can’t enforce immigration laws. We have no authority to do anything,” Police Capt. Paul Walters said.

Walters called the INS raid “a PR campaign to let people think they’re addressing their needs, when in reality, the borders are totally out of control.”

“Local sweeps are not going to alleviate the problem,” Walters said. “The emphasis has to be placed on controlling the border. There are 2,000 miles of border that are out of control.”

The men, who were taken to a detention facility in Los Angeles, face deportation, Belluardo said.

Santa Ana police weren’t notified of Thursday’s 6:30 a.m. raid until after it occurred, Lt. Mike Mitchell said.

Because of the police crackdown, the number of men gathered Thursday at the intersection of Euclid and Fifth streets was low, with many spread out for several blocks, Belluardo said.

The federal sweep was not the first in the area. In February, 1984, INS agents raided the same site and arrested more than 30 men and a 14-year-old boy who was mistakenly deported although a legal resident. Last April, the federal agents apprehended 32 men on a neighboring Orange street corner also well known as a makeshift employment center, where mostly Latino men gather to seek temporary jobs in construction and gardening.

Citizens’ Reaction Mixed

Reaction to Thursday’s sweep was mixed.

Beverly Ravelli, who lives only blocks from the Euclid and Fifth intersection, said: “It’s unfortunate that this has to happen. It’s unfortunate that Mexico can’t provide these people with a decent life and with work. But the line has to be drawn somewhere.”

Ravelli added that “the quality of life is slipping away in Santa Ana” because of the growing number of illegal aliens.

Blanca Guerrero, manager of a supermarket at Fifth and Euclid, also complained that the makeshift employment center caused some problems, but added that only a few of the men cause trouble. Guerrero said that she opposed the roundup.

“We never called INS. Nor did we ever consider calling INS. We have compassion for these people. They’re just trying to make a living,” said Guerrero, manager of Ronn’s Supermarket.