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(RALEIGH) - A raid at a Durham semiconductor company has stirred up fears among illegal immigrants who fear they also may be arrested.
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested three dozen suspected illegal workers at Cree, which has a contract with the Defense Department.
Ann Robertson, an immigration lawyer who represents employers and who works with the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh, says people are terrified. The illegal immigrants who work for other private businesses are staying at home, and Robertson says she has never seen a similar situation during the 15 years she has practiced immigration law.
Tom O'Connell, the resident ICE agent in charge, says he received about 30 phone calls Monday from lawyers representing employers whose workers were absent, and from the consulate and its legal team.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services figures from 2000 show that more than 200,000 illegal immigrants lived in North Carolina.
