Immigration Issue Heats Up

As the Pilgrim plant faces its future, many in the community face the situation in their own backyard. Wednesday's raid raised many questions among chattanoogans on the issue of immigration. As law enforcement decides the fate of the 100 they detained, residents here decide their opinion on the immigration issue that's now been brought into their nieghborhoods.

Netchi Lopez says, "Over the last 6 months there were rumors in the community about them coming to Pilgrim plant."

And yesterday those rumors became reality when immigration agents detained 100 people they say are living and working here with false identities. "If you came in this condition you knew that you were taking a risk, I think these people live knowing that anytime something is going to happen."

Lopez works at the Latin American Consulting Company and says she warns people that they need proper paperwork to live and work. But she says it's just so easy and common for people like the ones taken yesterday to get by the system. "It's sad, it is sad, I wish something could be done because they are already here."

But while Lopez says she was filled with sadness when the immigrants were brought out of the plant yesterday, others in the community, like Carol Gaddy, say they were nothing but happy. "I was just excited, I was happy to see our law enforcement and the actual lawful employees in our countries step out and begin to actuate something."

Gaddy says the situation here has gotten unbearable. "This is truckloads coming in at one time, which throws the whole community out of balance."

While Gaddy wants everyone taken yesterday taken out of the country. "Keep the husband, wife, children together and deport them quickly together as a family unit."

Lopez says there should be exceptions. "Look a little closer, see that really really there are situations where there are people that we should keep here."

Lopez also explained that many immigrants tell her they come here to Chattanooga because it's easier to get the false documents, and there are other benefits like more access to food stamps.