Federal agents to testify on Willmar immigration raid

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) Federal agents will be on the stand in immigration court today, testifying about a raid that netted some 50 undocumented immigrants in Willmar last April.

Attorney Gloria Contreras-Edin of the Latino legal services group Centro Legal says the cases of four Willmar residents will be heard as well as some residents from Worthington.

Conteras-Edin claims agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement known as ICE used improper or illegal tactics to get information that led to deportation or removal proceedings.

An ICE spokesman has defended the actions of the agents saying the Willmar operation targeted illegal immigrants who had criminal warrants out against them.

ICE, Willmar and Atwater police and others are being sued by 50 plaintiffs who claimed they were mistreated and their civil rights were violated during the operation.

Information from: JP Cola, KWLM/KQIC Willmar, http://www.kwlm.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-11-08 0953CST | save this article / add to your favorites list