Burning Atlanta

After all these years of jack for enforcement the fed has finally started to target some fugitives and a few workplaces. It's still little more than a show but it scares the hell out of ilelgals that have had a free-ride and few worries for many, many years. The good part is that bad news travels fast with illegals and the rumors are often worse than the facts. Hence, some are taking the hint and getting out of town/the country. Breaks my heart all to itty-bitty pieces.

Avoid the rush. Get packing.

Some advocates are asking immigrant families, many of which include at least one U.S. citizen, to make emergency plans for rent, bail and lawyers. Others are asking them to write certified letters designating caretakers for their U.S.-born children.

"People don't want to think about these things; they think it's never going to happen to them, but they need to prepare," said Antonio Bernabe of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "It's like having a disaster plan.

"We save money to buy a big-screen television, to send to our home countries or to build a house," he said. "But we never save money in case we are deported."

Some people who favor more immigration controls say the fact that people are preparing for deportation proves that increased enforcement is a powerful deterrent.

"When you show that you're going to enforce the law, however minimally, people understand that," said Rick Oltman, spokesman for Californians for Population Stabilization, a group that favors sharp reductions in all immigration. "The fact that they're making plans shows that they understand that . . . and hopefully will communicate that to family and friends in their home country."