Federal agents arrested at least 10 people in Portland suspected of being illegal immigrants.

PORTLAND (AP) – Community activists say the city’s immigrant population is living in fear since federal agents arrested at least 10 people suspected of being illegal immigrants.

More than 200 immigrants, community leaders and advocates participated in a march and rally on Saturday to protest last month’s sweep of the city by federal border agents.

Marchers banged drums, chanted slogans in English and Spanish, and carried signs that read: “Get Your Border Patrol Out of Town” and “We’re All Immigrants.”

The march ended at Monument Square, where community activists talked about how the sweep has created fear in the city’s minority communities.

They reported Latino and Somali immigrants have stayed away from markets, restaurants and a recent health fair because of fears of being deported.

Speakers denounced the sweep as unjust and unnecessary in a city that welcomes immigrants. Critics said the action was discriminatory and resulted in people being detained and harassed based on the color of their skin.

“Maine is not Texas, and Portland is not Brownsville. What works down there – and we are not at all sure it does – does not work up here,” said Grace Valenzuela, president of the Asian American Heritage Foundation.

During the Jan. 24 sweep, U.S. Border Patrol agents went to Portland’s airport, bus stations and train station in search of people who are in the country illegally. Agents also checked the Preble Street Resource Center and Latino, African and Asian restaurants and markets, local officials said.

Federal authorities have said border patrol agents routinely check transportation hubs in Maine cities.

Monte Bennett, the agency’s assistant chief patrol agent in Houlton, said agents generally do not go into stores or shelters, but may do so if they have reason to question someone.

“Our job is to enforce the law,” said Bennett, who added there may be more sweeps in Portland.

But elected leaders at Saturday’s rally said they oppose another sweep and questioned the tactics of some agents. They said immigrants in Portland should not be afraid to leave their homes or seek help from police.

“We need to start a dialogue with the federal officials,” said Attorney General Stephen Rowe, who met with federal immigration officials last week.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, has written Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge telling him she was concerned about the incident and asking him to look into the sweep.

AP-ES-02-08-04 1214EST



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