The roar of churning helicopter blades, the flashing of lights on the vehicles of armed local and federal law enforcement agents, blocked roads surrounding the plant, and panicked employees running in all directions — this was the scene recently at the Southern Provision meat packing plant in Bean Station, Tenn.
Almost 100 unauthorized workers were rounded up for processing and deportation. Their devastated families struggled to get information about their loved ones. Mothers in custody worried about who would care for their children when they were unable to return home. Somewhat similar scenes have been repeated at several other workplaces in the past several months. Why? The short answer is that aggressive enforcement against illegal immigration is the order of the day.