SF: IMMIGRATION RAID BRINGS UP CONCERNS OF SUPERVISORS, SUPERINTENDENT (BCN c/o KPIX-San Francisco, CA)

SF: IMMIGRATION RAID BRINGS UP CONCERNS OF SUPERVISORS, SUPERINTENDENT

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:55

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

San Francisco supervisors and the superintendent for the San Francisco Unified School District today denounced a Visitacion Valley raid by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The raid occurred Thursday night and resulted in the arrest of four women and two men while agents searched for an individual who did not reside in the home, according to the city's Immigrant Rights Commission.

A minor inside the home was also interrogated and left there by ICE agents, the commission said. It is apparently unclear whether the agents presented a warrant.

Two supervisors spoke out today against the raid in San Francisco, which a sanctuary city. That status has allowed the city to refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities except in felony cases.

"As a government, we are trying to reduce fear and violence," said Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, in whose district the raid occurred. "My primary concern is about the families and, in this instance, the young girl whose mother was taken into custody."

Supervisor Tom Ammiano agreed, saying, "This is yet another example of how ICE operates. There is no humanity in harassing children and leaving them behind."

School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia's concern was for the students in his district and commented on possible parental concerns.

"A student came to school today and told teachers that immigration had taken all members of her family," he said. "I want to assure all of our families that our schools are a safe place for a child to turn for support and we do not ask anyone's legal status."