I can't imagine the fear these children felt when their parents never showed up to get them or of the parents knowing their children were stranded. DP
Centredaily.com: NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- Arrests resulting from a raid on a leather goods maker suspected of hiring illegal immigrants left dozens of young children stranded at schools and with baby sitters after their parents were rounded up.
About 100 children were stuck with baby sitters, caretakers and others, said Corinn Williams, director of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts.
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ARRESTS
Immigration officials said 327 of the 500 employees of Michael Bianco Inc., mostly women, were detained Tuesday by immigration officials for possible deportation as illegal aliens.
Company owner Francesco Insolia, 50, and three top managers were arrested. A fifth person was arrested on charges of helping workers obtain fake identification.
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CARING FOR THE CHILDREN
Authorities released 45 detainees who were sole caregivers to children. No more releases were planned, said Marc Raimondi, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Eight pregnant women were also released for humanitarian reasons.
Those still in custody were given the option of letting their children stay with a guardian or putting them in state care, Raimondi said.
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WORKING CONDITIONS
Investigators said the workers toiled in dingy conditions and faced onerous fines, such as a $20 charge for talking while working and spending more than two minutes in the bathroom.
"They were given no options. It's either here, or the risk of no income at all. Clearly, they were exploited because of the fact they were here illegally," U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan said
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