Illegal immigrants detained, then freed to work

"Arreola was one of 28 illegal immigrant workers arrested in February after agents from U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement raided a car engine repair business.

According to the immigrants, a small army of federal agents surrounded Yamato Engine Specialists in Bellingham Washington, and began searching for workers who could not show they had authorization to work in the United States."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/17/immigration.raid/index.html?iref=newssearch

            The story of business raiding for illegal immigrant workers is not new. But this Washington community’s reaction to the raiding of a car engine repair business shows that people are demanding changed policy under the new federal administration. In response to the perceived threat of deportation that Bellingham workers faced, groups for immigrant rights and the Hispanic community immediately mobilized to create publicity and pressure Homeland Security into releasing the prisoners. Initially, 28 workers were taken to a detention center, but days later, they were allowed to fill out paperwork to receive worker permits, an allowance that is unprecedented in this community.

           One of the major issues from this story is the threat that illegal immigrants face of being separated from their families. The Obama administration has professed that one of its goals is to find ways to keep families together, and the work permits are a possible if perhaps temporary solution to this problem. If nothing else, this story shows that American communities are beginning to demand change on immigration policy and they’re finding ways to get it.