Activists in Ontario demanded the release of over 100 undocumented workers arrested in the last raids in Canada!

Protests respond to Ontario immigration raids
By derrick
Apr 8 2009



Nearly 200 outraged community and labour activists rattled the fences
of Rexdale Immigration Detention Centre on April 5, demanding the
release of over 100 undocumented workers arrested during unprecedented
immigration raids across southwestern Ontario.

Chanting ‘No One Is Illegal! Stop deporting people,’ ‘We didn’t cross
the borders, the borders crossed us’ and ’Justice for migrant
workers,’ teachers, lawyers and organizers from OSSTF D12, Parkdale
Legal Community Services, Mujeres Al Frente, the Sikh Activist
Network, the Good Jobs Coalition, CUPE, UFCW, CAW, OPSEU and many
others joined family members and friends on Sunday morning. Organized
by No One is Illegal-Toronto, Migrante Ontario and Justicia for
Migrant Workers, the spirited action was in response to three separate
but coordinated attacks against undocumented communities.

This past week, Canada Border Services Agency and South Simcoe Police
arrested hundreds of people, detaining over 100 workers. At the same
time, in Leamington and Windsor, Ontario, dozens of undocumented
people were picked up on their way to work, in their homes and in
public spaces. Homes were also raided on the Danforth where absentee
workers possessions were confiscated.

''For Justicia, these are our friends and our families that are on the
inside," says Chris Ramsaroop from Justicia for Migrant Workers. "For
Justicia this isn't just political, it’s personal. Our activists are
impacted by these workplace raids."

“Racialized people have been targeted once more while working to pay
for the basics while corrupt employers go free. And to this we say
No!" he thundered.

No charges have been laid against the employer, Cericola Farms. These
raids come the same day the migrant worker community celebrated a
victory against recruitment agencies charging large “placement" fees
to workers even if no legal work was found. Many workers were forced
to work under precarious immigration status in order to secure an
income.

As supporters encircled the premises of the detention center, the
detainees came to the windows, applauding, cheering, pounding at the
glass and waving fists. The action saw both the imprisoned and their
community allies demanding an immediate end to immigration raids,
detentions and deportations.

The adoption of the Bush immigration doctrine by the federal
Conservative government is of little surprise to migrant justice
advocates. These raids follow vicious policy and legislative
directives including the adoption of Bill C-50, the expansion of
employer driven migrant worker programs (temporary foreign worker
programs) and the introduction of the Canadian Experience Class. The
Conservatives and the Minister of Immigration Jason Kenney have yet
again sent a clear message that economics, not family reunification or
humanitarian principles, are the primary drivers of Canada’s
immigration policy.

While unprecedented in its scale, these arrests were not isolated
incidents. Amina Sherazee, Barrister and Solicitor, who deals with
people facing removal explains, “Not only has there been an increase
in deportations, but people are also given very little time between
the day they receive notice of deportation and the removal date in
order to make it harder for them to use the courts to stop their
removal.”

“The economic crisis cannot be used to justify the firing of temporary
workers or the targeting of people without correct papers,” insisted
labour activist Winnie Ng, chair of the Good Jobs Coalition. “We need
an immigration system that is based on hope, compassion and
solidarity,” Ng added.

“My clients were kept immobile and handcuffed for several hours,” says
Macdonald Scott, who is representing a few of the detainees. “Their
arms swelled up as a result and many were in considerable pain,” he
told the protesters. "Nearly 40 have been manipulated in to signing
documents that will see them deported without the due process of the
law!"

Soon after the action, organizers received word from inside that the
detained workers expressed their gratitude for today’s action. They
were ecstatic at the support of community groups struggling for
justice, dignity and respect for peoples, irrespective of immigration
status.

Community organizations in coalition with undocumented workers,
temporary foreign workers and all peoples with precarious status will
continue to fight immigration raids and demand a humane,
people-centred immigration system that is based on justice for people,
not profit for elites.

Solidarity actions took place in Edmonton on Tuesday and will take
place in Vancouver on Thursday. A forum and assembly is planned for
Saturday, April 18. A massive rally of thousands of people is planned
in Toronto for May 2, 2009 at 1p.m., starting at Allen Gardens.

Syed Hussan, Chris Ramsaroop and Faria Kamal are organizers in the
struggle for migrant justice fighting alongside temporary workers and
undocumented people for dignity and respect for all.

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