Brazilian Women's Group Condemns Immigration Enforcement in the Holiday Season

The Brazilian Women's Group condemns the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor Mitt Romney with federal immigration authorities, and the sting on undocumented workers in meatpacking plants in six states.

Governor Romney's decision, in the final weeks of his government, to allow state troopers to question and arrest immigrants they suspect of being undocumented, is a cowardly and mean-spirited act. Rather than worry about the safety of all residents of Massachusetts in this time of rising crime rates, the governor has chosen to increase distrust, raise fear and deteriorate relationships with law enforcement officials of all levels as his "Christmas present" to immigrant communities and the state as a whole.

The Brazilian Women's Groups joins other immigrant rights organizations in urging Governor-Elect Deval Patrick to repeal this measure immediately upon taking office. Only by doing so will he restore the confidence of domestic violence victims in local law enforcement, and take a stand against racial profiling and other abuses.

Immigration sweeps: The Brazilian Women's Group also denounces the actions of immigration authorities, who have chosen to invest against ordinary workers and vulnerable families in such a sensitive time of year.

The decision to execute a sting in six Swift meatpacking plants in Greeley, Colorado; Grand Island, Nebraska; Cactus, Texas; Hyrum, Utah; Marshalltown, Iowa; and Worthington, Minnesota is a deplorable and inhuman act that should be condemned by all people and organizations that defend human rights.

The Brazilian Women's Group
Contact: Heloisa Maria Galvão
helogalvao@aol.com
617-787-0557 ext. 15