Immigrant hotline a go

Response network to aid undocumented workers

BOSTON. Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the raid at a New Bedford factory that saw more than 350 undocumented immigrants detained by federal agents.

Several smaller raids in the state followed, leaving hundreds of families left to piece together their lives while living apart. Finding support and services in such a situation has proven tedious.

The Jamaica Plain Rapid Response Network (JPRRN) will aim to alleviate such chores, beginning with this weekend’s launch of a hotline designed to assist “those caught in the throes of a raid,” JPRRN coordinator Dorotea Manuelia said.

According to Manuelia, many swept up by agents at the Michael Bianco factory last March 6 told advocates that having an outlet to seek legal, medical and nutritional assistance would helped.

“Our approach to the issue is not to debate [immigration law], but strictly to provide  for human rights,” Manuelia said, noting that 75-100 volunteers will be on-call to help run the 24-7 operation.

Jamaica Plain was chosen as a pilot test site due to its history of activism, diverse community and presence of potential sites for future raids.

The Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) raid created a firestorm of controversy among immigrant advocates and the federal government. Some detractors, including Gov. Deval Patrick, said that ICE officials rushed detainees to camps before state services could get information to care for those left behind.

The aftermath signaled to advocates that a support system was needed.

“That raid really embarrassed Homeland Security. They weren’t prepared for the outcry and the support that came about,” Manuelia said.

ICE authorities said at the time that all the detainees were cared for properly. Calls to ICE offices yesterday were not returned.