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From Tina Jillings: June 21, 2007. This morning I witnessed for the first time an ICE raid. It happened right here in Townsite. I must be honest and say that I have never seen anything like this except on television and watching this activity unfold live I must admit it is traumatizing. One can only imagine what the families are going through because of this horrible experience.
This morning I witnessed a mother and father being taken from their home while their children stood by and watched. The children ranging from ages 9 to 1 years old witnessed the entire arrest and were horrified by the events. I do not know if they understood that their lives would never be same. They watched helplessly as their little worlds were falling apart right in front of their face. The two oldest were crying hysterically, as far as the two younger ones go, one was in total shock and unable to speak until about 45 minutes, and the baby was clutching onto his Aunt.
After their parents were gone they began to sob and cry for their mama y papi. The oldest child (Cristal, 9,) gave me a description of what happened inside the home while we were waiting outside. She said that early in the morning someone was pounding on their door. "They screamed to open the door or they will knock it down". She said that they hid under the bed because they were afraid, because this type of thing never happened before. She said her father answered the door and that the men began to scream at him "get down on the floor or they will shoot him. " They all came out of their hiding places because the "Police/ICE guys were going throughout the house with guns and rifles drawn. They began to question all of them and eventually they took her Mom and Dad away. Their Aunt was called to collect the four children. I obtained information from the Aunt and videotaped the aftermath of this operation.
The separation of families must stop! These atrocities will not stop until we unite, and with one voice make it clear that we demand the passing of compassionate, fair, humane immigration reform! These children are American citizens and their basic right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness has been violated. These abuses must stop now! The time to act is now!
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