April 7, 2008 Sen. Kerry testifies about immigration raids in Boston Play video

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Massachusetts Senator John Kerry testified Monday before a private commission examining how immigration leaders conduct workplace raids.

NECN's Brad Puffer has details.

Script:

This private commission formed by labor and immigration advocates, held its second hearing in Boston Monday. They are looking into allegations of misconduct by immigration officials. It included testimony from Senator John Kerry

John Kerry: “What brings us here is the failure of Congress at the national level to provide an adequate immigration policy.”

Juana Garcia spoke about her arrest, detention in Texas and a nine-day separation from her two year old son.

Juana Garcia: “I said he was two-years-old and they said ‘that's ok he's old enough to be separated form his mother.’”

John Willshire-Carrera: “By the end of the experience they felt they had no rights in this country, that they weren't treated like humans.”

This sympathetic commission hopes to use this testimony to put pressure on Congress.

Former Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa says he joined the commission because of what happened at a raid at a meat packing plant in his state. A raid, where he says, American citizens were also detained.

“Our constitution is at stake here and if our government can't follow the constitution then it's a serious problem that needs to be addressed.”

An ICE spokesman responded by saying the agency

While Senator Kerry pointed out some of the good work by immigration officials - he also condemned the raid in New Bedford .

“The way they conduct workplace raids and detain people does not meet the standards of the United States of America.”

Over the next couple of months this commission plans three other hearings across the country before delivering report to Congress later this year.