Swiftiana

Many more stories from the raid on the Greeley meat-packing plant and its aftermath, including:

Comments from Denver's archbishop: "Catholics should 'vigorously question the timing, manner and focus' of the Swift raids, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput said Wednesday, adding that the tactic won't solve the immigration problem."

A couple of victims of the identity theft who tell their (bad) stories:

As soon as Caraveo was notified by the IRS, she alerted the credit bureaus and
the police - but her credit problems were just about to start.

A mom who hasn't been heard from since the raid:

"I'm driving myself crazy," said [sister-in-law] Nora. "Nobody has heard from her. I've heard rumors that she might be in Nogales. I don't know if she told them she was from Mexico."

Rubicelda moved to Greeley from a small town in Guatemala to look for work.

She found a job cutting meat at Swift & Co. that paid $11 to $12 an hour, Nora said . . . .

[Rubicelda] . . . was sending money home to have a house built next to her parent's [sic] home in Guatemala. So far, she has been able to buy a small plot of land, Nora said.

"Our dream is to work to build a home for our children. It's sad to go home with our hands crossed, no money, and in a worse position than when we came," she said.

Mini-rant: Okay, the identity theft is bad, but absent that it's not only stupid to keep people like this out of the country, it's immoral. Rubicelda's already bought a piece of land. Anyone who's read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (fantastic book; less-good movie) will remember how Francie's poor Irish immigrant family saves for years to do the same, only to end up using the money to buy--a graveyard plot. (In the meantime they become Americans, so, happy ending.) And no, it doesn't matter that Rubicelda's land is in Guatemala; in fact, it's better--she's increasing prosperity there, too.

Finally, the story that hints at racism:

In the wake of Tuesday's raids at the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant, many in the Hispanic community are worrying about the fate of their loved ones, about the children left behind and about the threat to their livelihoods.

Others - mostly longtime residents - worry about the changing face of their town, shrinking property values and the challenges of supporting families that can't always support themselves.

Oh shut up, you portentous twit. Rubicelda! Llama a casa! (And maybe the News will follow up when she does.)