From Deseret News archives:

Families, friends fearful after raid

Published: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 12:21 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
They are being held in the Utah County Jail for investigation of possession of a forged writing device and some for identity theft. The few who have a criminal record, such as DUI, theft or drug possession, got bail of $10,000 cash or bond. The majority who answered they had never been convicted of a crime were given $7,500 cash or bond bail.

The one thing uniting most of those arrested were their families left behind.

A wife and a daughter. A wife and three children. A mother and a brother.

But it's more than just those immediate family members who are afraid.

Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah, says undocumented immigrants across the state were afraid to go to work or out to shop Friday. He said the Latino mall in Salt Lake was nearly deserted.

"Everybody is not shopping, they're not coming out, they don't want to go to work," Yapias said. "The earthquake hit in Lindon. The aftershocks have gone all over the state."

At the Mercado Latino at 275 S. University Ave. in Provo, owners knew that fear was the reason business was so slow. Many people are afraid immigration officials are still out there looking to pick up more undocumented residents.

But for Marissa, whose family owns the shop, that fear also turns to frustration.

"What people don't understand is ... they don't see the poverty these people live in (in Mexico)," she said. "They're living in cardboard boxes."

Story continues below
While on a multi-media internship from Utah Valley State College to a television station in Mexico, she was saddened to learn the top editor made only $300 a month — and that was with an education.

There are no opportunities in Mexico, she said. That's why people come to the states. They need a way to put food on their family's table.

And even though she's frustrated with the situation, Marissa said she's still a bit scared and asked that the Deseret Morning News not print her last name.

The wave of fear also swept through the Alpine and Provo School districts.

Staff at Canyon View Junior High School, at 625 E. 950 North in Orem, said a few students, who were visibly upset or crying, checked out of school on Thursday. There were slightly more absences than normal for Friday, they added.

Sharon Elementary School in Orem is 50 percent Hispanic and had six students check out Thursday and six students absent Friday because of the raid, said assistant principal Susann Wagner.

"These raids are hard on the kids," she said.

Orem Junior High, with a student population that's 21 percent Hispanic, didn't have attendance problems, but several students wanted to start a petition to free the detainees, said Dennis Bacon, assistant principal. But after talking with the student council, the students decided it would be more productive to write letters expressing support to the detainees and their families, Bacon said.

Recent comments

To: Animalous | 10:01 p.m. Feb. 13, 2008

Are you threatening the...

Anonymous | Feb. 13, 2008 at 10:52 p.m.

I just feel sorry for all the missionaries in Mexico as I am sure...

Animalous | Feb. 13, 2008 at 10:01 p.m.

"Sharon Elementary School in Orem is 50 percent Hispanic" "Orem...

pissedoff | Feb. 13, 2008 at 9:44 p.m.

Image

Maria Ortiz, who has been trying to answer questions from families affected by the Lindon raid, cries as she talks of their plight.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

Palin tickets still available

Cold weather is keeping people away? That is a pretty big leap of logic. I...

LDS engineer, 48-core chip

My point is that there is NO REASON to mention the mans religion except to...

Who has time for dumb films which influence dumb ideas? This is the dumbest...

I miss hearing Hot Rod call games. I can't stand Bolerjack, he would be a lot...

"Fair, Balanced and objective" are ALWAYS the words I think of when I think...

Palin tickets still available

She's the reason there isn't a republican in the white house. She and McCain...

Cougars use depth to beat ASU

I have never defended USU, as a matter of fact I can't stand their fans. The...

I wouldn`t pay ten cents to watch a team that most college and some high...

Who would you rather hang out with: people who always are whining about...

Dishonest global warming scientists

Why are people still posting here??? I thought the debate was OVER!...

Advertisements