New Bedford immigration raid

To:  Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy & Congressman Barney Frank

In New Bedford, Massachusetts on March 6, 2007 , the Federal Government raided a “sweat shop” arresting 361 illegal “immigrants” being from Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Cape Verde, Portugal and Brazil. The immediate effects of this raid was the unconscionable separation of hard working, law abiding families that contributed to the community. Of the 361 people who were arrested at Michael Bianco Inc., (not to be confused with the owner’s name Francesco Insolia 50 of 3 Country Club Circle in Pembroke, Massachusetts) more than two-thirds have been flown to out-of-state detention facilities, according to a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As reported in the Boston Globe, State and Congressional officials asserted on March 8, 2007 to the Bush administration that the detention of some of the workers was endangering their children. Meanwhile, the company's owner was granted permission to travel to Puerto Rico on business. Mr. Insolia was forced to surrender his passport and agreed to travel only in the continental United States, with provisions for business trips to Puerto Rico, one of which was planned for March 8, 2007.

Francesco Insolia, faces federal charges of conspiring to hire illegal aliens at Michael Bianco Inc. According to an affidavit in the case, when an undercover ICE officer posing as a new Michael Bianco employee told Mr. Insolia she was an illegal from Mexico and without identification papers. Mr. Insolia replied, "everyone has papers." The affidavit further contends that plant manager Ms. Figueroa told a Michael Bianco Inc. employee turned informant that Mr. Insolia would not hire his workers' grandchildren because he wanted only "illegal aliens." It is important to remember that Francesco Insolia operated what can only be described as a sweat shop. According to sweatshopwatch.org the four characteristics that are consistent with a sweat shop are as follows:
(1) Extreme exploitation, including absence of a living wage or long work hours.
(2) Poor working conditions, health and safety hazards.
(3) Arbitrary discipline, such as verbal or physical abuse.
(4) Fear and intimidation when they speak out, organize or attempt to form a union.

Conditions at the Michael Bianco Inc. manufacturing plant harken back to the sweatshops of the early 1900s, according to the U.S. Attorney General's Office. Information in the federal indictment, based on an undercover federal agent who worked at the plant, stated employees were fined $20 if they were in the restroom for more than two minutes. If they went to the restroom twice, they were fired. One roll of toilet paper was placed in each stall and if it was gone within an hour of startup time, was not replaced. Workers actually made far less than $7 an hour because they were fined for so many violations. Employees were forced to work double shifts stitching military gear, but Mr. Insolia did not pay overtime, according to some workers.

Francesco Insolia, owner of Michael Bianco Inc. still benefits from the $83.6 million in military contracts to make backpacks and ammunition pouches for the military. He further benefits from a special tax agreement from the city of New Bedford, saving $57,000 in exchange for his company to retain 65 jobs and create 85 new jobs for people from New Bedford. The Defense Logistics Agency, suspended the company from all future contracts, however he has yet to be fined or even threatened with jail time for his obvious criminal violations. Meanwhile the workers he victimized have been transferred from Fort Devens to prisons in New Mexico, Texas and Massachusetts.

If you are interested in helping these workers please send these requested items including diapers in all sizes, baby wipes, bottles and bottle liners, Enfamil Soy baby formula, all types of baby food and winter baby clothing. Canned food is needed. To organize your donations, contact the St. James Church rectory @ (508) 992-9408, and ask for Ana or Carol Oliver. If you are able to make monetary donations, mail checks to the MIRA Coalition, 105 Chauncy St., Boston, MA 02111. Be clear in the memo line that donations are for "New Bedford Immigrant Families/Ninos Fund." Donations are tax-deductible, and all donations marked as "New Bedford Immigrant Families/Ninos Fund" will be distributed to selected community organizations.

If you would like to see long term justice carried out in order to deter criminals like Francesco Insolia from taking advantage of the poor and disenfranchised please sign the following petition which will be sent to Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank and Senator Ted Kennedy. We the undersigned feel outrage at the detainment of the workers of the Michael Bianco factory and would like the following demands met:

(1) The immediate return of the immigrants that were taken from the State of Massachusetts so that they can be reunited with their families.

(2) The release of the workers on their own recognizance, the same privilege that was extended to Francesco Insolia.

(3) Amnesty given to the workers so that they may be able to become legal citizens in the country they have contributed countless tax dollars to.

(4) A community center built for the workers to aid them and their children to more easily acclimate to their new home.

(5)All expenses of the following to be subject to payment by Francesco Insolio in lieu of the prison time he truly deserves.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The New Bedford immigration raid Petition to Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy & Congressman Barney Frank was created by and written by Michael J. Santos (thirteenbythreemileproblem@hotmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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